Becoming Epic At Leadership

It’s like learning how to put together a symphony group before you lead it.

In the end, the change from being a mentee to a guide is a smooth one in which the roles of learning and teaching fit together well.

This constant sharing of information makes each person smarter and makes the leadership community as a whole smarter.

It’s a natural part of growth that people who want to learn become the ones who light the way for others.

It’s all about people, and not all people are the same

To be a good leader, you have to be able to see and encourage the unique traits of each team member.

It’s not about making everyone the same, but about appreciating the different skills, views, and qualities that each person brings.

Smart leaders know that having a diverse team isn’t just a box to check off; it’s about coming up with new ideas, being creative, and fixing problems.

It’s about valuing the different skills, backgrounds, and experiences that each team member brings to the table.

Leaders don’t try to build everyone the same. Instead, they create a setting where differences are not only accepted but also celebrated.

This celebration of variety isn’t just for show; it’s an important part of being a good leader.

Leaders know that each team member has different wants, goals, and things that drive them.

They don’t use a one-size-fits-all leadership style. Instead, they change their style to fit the wants of each person. That’s what this principle of effective leadership is all about. Being effective in building up people.

By doing this, they build a strong team that uses the different skills and points of view of its members to its advantage.

Master communication

Mastering communication is a key part of being a good leader, and people who want to grow personally and professionally work hard on it their whole lives.

It’s not just about sharing words; it’s more like a symphony of expression that includes tone, body language, and the ability to connect deeply with others.

For people who want to be powerful and influential leaders, learning how to communicate well is a lifelong process.

At its core, it means realizing that good conversation isn’t just about talking, but also about being heard and understood.

Be patient on this trip and learn to see what’s going on with the people around you.

Don’t try to study them by just watching them; instead, figure out how to get information from them directly.

Pay attention to how people talk and watch how they move to find out if you’re right about something or not.

For example, don’t just assume that a coworker is upset about something at work if they seem a little off.

Instead, you should talk to them and find out how they feel but don’t be too pushy.

It could be their family, the fact that their pet is sick, or something bad that happened to them in the morning.

Get the right things done

To be a good boss, you don’t just have to do things. You also have to figure out which things are most important.

Getting things done is more important than being busy all the time.

Good leaders are like master weavers: they choose each action carefully because it matters and makes a difference.

They know that in our fast-paced world, it’s easy to keep going but not actually get anywhere.

So, they focus on putting jobs in order of importance, which means they decide what’s most important and do that first.

Leaders set clear goals, keep track of their time well, and share tasks with their team as ways to do this well.

They make plans to meet the goals they set, which are in line with the organization’s overall goals.

They also know that they can’t do everything by themselves, so they give the right people on their team the right jobs.

Leaders also need to be able to handle their emotions well. It means knowing what your skills and weaknesses are and where you can make the most difference.

Leaders also know what their team members are good at and what they like to do, so they can give jobs to the people who can do them best.

In the end, doing the right things isn’t just about being busy; it’s about making smart choices.

That’s what this principle of effective leadership is all about: putting your efforts where they will help the group the most and make the most difference.

By following this rule, good leaders create a culture in which work has a purpose and the effects can be measured.

Look outside, not inside

To be a good leader, you need to find a balance between knowing yourself and keeping an eye on the big picture.

It’s like having two lenses: one looks at you, and the other looks out at the world.

• Let’s start with what it means to look out

Leaders who are good at their jobs know that they can’t just think about themselves. They need to see what’s going on in the world.

This means that they should try to figure out what’s going on beyond their own thoughts and feelings.

It’s like putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and trying to see things from their point of view.

They also pay attention to what’s going on in the world because things are always changing.

They read a lot, listen to what other people have to say, and keep an open mind.

This helps them think of new ideas and ways to solve problems.

• Now, let’s talk about how you know yourself.

Good leaders know their own skills and weaknesses. They also know how to deal with and handle their own feelings.

So, in simple words, having two superpowers is like being a great leader.

One shows you what’s going on in the world, and the other shows you what’s going on inside of you.

By using both skills, you become a leader who can adapt to changes, come up with new ideas, and make things better.

It’s like being an explorer who is always ready for new adventures and tasks.

Organizations do well when they have this kind of guidance.

Take full responsibility

Being a leader means taking responsibility for your actions and choices, whether they turn out well or not.

It’s like being the captain of a ship and steering it with honesty and confidence through calm and rough seas.

Good leaders know that they can’t just take credit when things go well; they also have to accept when things go wrong.

To take the blame, you have to be honest and open about what you did.

It’s not about putting the blame on others or covering up your mistakes. Instead, it means saying, “I made a mistake, and I’m going to learn from it.”

Leaders who do this well don’t try to avoid problems and don’t point the finger at others.

They step up and say, “I’m a part of this, and I’ll make it right.”

Being honest about what’s going on is important. This is what “transparent” means.

Leaders who take charge don’t try to act like they’re perfect. They talk about what they’re thinking, say when they’re wrong, and plan how to do better next time.

This shows that they are real and aren’t trying to hide anything, which builds trust.

In the end, a big part of being a leader is taking responsibility and this is what this principle is all about.

It means taking responsibility for what you do, good or bad, and telling the truth to your team.

When leaders do this, they build a culture in which everyone is responsible for what they do and learns from their mistakes.

Long-term, this kind of leadership helps teams grow and do well.

Allow others to grow

To be a good leader, it’s not enough to shine on your own. You also have to help your whole team grow and succeed.

Imagine that you are a farmer who is working on your own wonder.

Your job isn’t just to look good; it’s to help everyone around you do well.

When your team does well, you know that the whole company benefits.

To help people grow, you have to be a leader and a guide.

It’s about making a place where your team members are not just workers, but also learners on a journey to get better at what they do.

Leaders who do this well care a lot about how their team does.

Giving power to other people is important. This is called empowering.

Leaders who let others grow give their team the chance to take on new challenges and make choices.

They trust their team’s judgment and give them feedback that helps them improve. They know that tough situations are often the best way to learn.

In fact, they urge their team to see problems as chances to learn and get better.

It’s easy; a big part of being a good boss is letting other people grow. It means helping the people on your team get better at what they do.

When leaders do this, they make a place where everyone wants to do their best and get better.

Applying this principle of effective leadership helps everyone in the company perform.

Be the first one to come and the last to leave

Great leaders don’t just say the right things, they also do the right things.

This means they show their team how things should be done by setting a good example.

Imagine them as the engine that moves the team forward.

They come in first and leave last, which means they work hard and stay committed.

Being a role model is what means to lead by example.

Leaders who are good at this don’t just have a fancy title; they also have a responsibility to inspire others by what they do.

They show up early and stay late when they need to. This shows everyone else how to work hard.

They know that showing people what to do is more important than telling them what to do.

This principle of effective leadership is meant to show how much you care.

When they’re the first ones in, it means they’re ready to start the day and take on tasks. They use this time to plan for what’s coming next and get ready for it.

And when they’re the last ones to leave, it shows they’re willing to work harder to solve problems and make sure the team meets its goals.

Being highly passionate about what they do

Great leaders are like bright sparks that are lit up by their passion.

They’re like excited people who carry the torch and make their teams feel the same way.

Their strong love for their work drives the whole company and inspires everyone around them.

To be enthusiastic about something, you don’t just have to agree with it; you also have to be its biggest fan.

When a leader is excited about what they do, they give it their all and always want to succeed.

They don’t just want to get things done. They love what they do!

This love is like a magnet that draws people to it.

Everyone on the team feels like they are a part of something big.

When leaders are passionate, even small jobs become more important. This idea has to do with emotional intelligence, especially the ability to motivate yourself.

Leaders know that what drives them can also drive their team. When they show how much they love what they do, it makes other people want to do their best too.

Passion is one of the most effective principles of leadership.

Innovate

Innovation is the heartbeat of leaders with a clear goal.

They know that in the world we live in now, where things change all the time, you have to always come up with new and better ideas.

They don’t just do things the same way they always have. Instead, they are always looking for ways to improve, change, and do things differently.

Being a leader who is creative is like being an explorer who finds new places and ways.

Leaders who follow this rule don’t just do things the way they’ve always been done.

They always want to learn more and improve.

They are like masters of change because they use their ideas to create a bright future. Here’s why this is such an important principle of effective leadership:

Innovation in leadership isn’t just about using cool new technology; it’s also about being creative and open.

It can mean making new plans, changing the way things are done, or coming up with smart ways to solve problems.

Leaders who are creative push their teams to try new things and think outside the box.

Admit when you’re wrong

Being a leader who is open to being hurt shows that you are smart and strong.

Great leaders know that everyone makes mistakes because it’s part of being human.

It’s not a sign of weakness to admit when you’re wrong; it’s a sign that you’re strong and honest.

When leaders do this, they make a place where people can be honest, trust each other, and grow.

When you say you were wrong, you show that you are humble and aware of what you did.

It shows that you’re willing to admit when you’ve done something wrong or made a bad choice.

Leaders who follow this rule know that they are showing their team what to do.

When they accept their mistakes, it makes others more likely to do the same. This helps everyone improve.

This idea is all about being true to yourself as a leader. It’s not about being perfect, but about wanting to learn and get better.

When leaders follow this concept, they make a place where people can be honest and trust each other, and where everyone can improve together.

This is one of the more difficult principles of effective leadership to master, but one that can work wonders in your company.

Be the example

Great leadership isn’t just about telling people what to do; it’s also about showing them how to do it through your deeds.

Being a role model means showing your team the beliefs, rules, and actions you want them to follow.

Leaders who are exceptional lead by doing, and they set the bar for greatness.

Being a role model means that what you say and what you do are the same.

Leaders who follow this rule know that being consistent and being themselves are very strong.

They know that the way they act sets the tone for the rest of the team. They show up early if they expect everyone else to be on time.

If they think hard work is important, they work hard.

They don’t ask for respect; they earn it by the way they act.

This idea isn’t just about how to act in the workplace; it’s also about how to act as a good person.

Leaders who are good examples know that their character is just as important as their skills.

Work well with a team

It’s very important to be able to work well with a team if you want to be a boss.

Great leaders know that they are not on their own; they are part of a team.

To work well with a group, you have to use everyone’s strengths and skills to reach a shared goal.

To do this, you need skills like communication, understanding, and the ability to find solutions when people don’t agree.

When leaders follow this idea, they are great at getting along with their teams.

Everyone feels like they fit in and can trust one another because of them.

Leaders who know how to work well with a team know that people can do more when they work together than when they work alone.

They let team members share their thoughts and use their skills, which leads to new and better solutions.

Working well with a team isn’t just a skill. It’s a way of thought.

It means being part of a group and knowing that leadership isn’t just about one person.

When leaders do this, they create an environment where teamwork is valued. People work together and the organization wins because everyone does their part.

Being a team-player is more than just a principle of effective leadership. It’s a baseline necessity for success.

Focus on people

People are the heartbeat of any company, and good leadership is all about taking care of them.

Leaders who are really good know that their success depends on how well their team members do.

They pay attention to the growth, wants, and dreams of the people they work with.

This is a big part of being a leader, not just a job for leaders.

Leaders who follow this idea see their team members as more than just workers:

• They see them as unique people with their own skills, dreams, and feelings.
• They try to get to know the people on their team better. People who care about their team members also help them learn and grow.
• They give them advice and help them improve, and when they do well, they celebrate it.
• They make sure that everyone feels welcome, no matter where they come from or what they think.

Focusing on people isn’t just a good way to lead; it’s also a way to make sure everyone in the group does well.

When leaders do this, they create a place of work where people can thrive, teams can do great work, and the business as a whole does well.

They know that being a leader isn’t about being in charge, but about helping and lifting up the people they lead, which makes everyone’s future better.

Know what you want

In leadership, having a clear sense of what you want to achieve is like having a guiding star.

Great leaders know their goals and dreams, and they are determined to make them happen.

Knowing what you want is not something that stays the same; it’s a journey of discovering and improving yourself.

Leaders who follow this idea spend time thinking about their goals, making clear plans, and sticking to their path.

They don’t become distracted by what other people are saying or by things that are irrelevant to their vision.

Good leaders understand their own passions and strengths.

1. They use their emotions to keep going even when things get tough.
2. They inspire their teams by being committed to their vision.

Leaders who know what they want inspire others to follow them.

Their clear sense of purpose becomes motivation for their team, giving them direction and energy. They explain their vision well, getting their team excited and working together toward the same goal.

So here you have it, the principles of epic leadership. Soak them in and use them to become a better leader, every day.

Until next time!