20 things about leadership I wish I knew 20 years ago
These are some that I experienced personally through different chapters even though sometimes you heard others talk and advice and warn about them… nothing beats the personal experience lessons !
- Leadership Is About Service: Leading is serving your team, not just directing them.
- Listen More: Your team’s insights are invaluable. Listen actively.
- Admit Mistakes: Owning up to errors builds trust and credibility.
- Lead by Example: Your actions set the tone for your team’s behavior.
- Embrace Failure: Each failure is a lesson, not a defeat.
- Stay Flexible: Adaptability is crucial in ever-changing environments.
- Communicate Clearly: Clear communication prevents misunderstandings and aligns goals.
- Build Relationships: Strong relationships foster loyalty and collaboration.
- Empower Your Team: Trust your team with responsibilities and encourage their growth.
- Focus on Strengths: Leverage your team’s strengths rather than fixating on weaknesses.
- Prioritize Well-being: A healthy work-life balance for you and your team boosts productivity.
- Seek Feedback: Constructive criticism helps you improve.
- Stay Curious: Continuous learning keeps your leadership fresh and effective.
- Be Decisive: Make informed decisions confidently and timely.
- Stay Authentic: Authenticity fosters trust and respect.
- Mentorship Matters: Mentor and be mentored; it accelerates growth.
- Celebrate Wins: Recognize and celebrate achievements, big or small.
- Stay Humble: Humility opens doors for learning and improvement.
- Keep Vision Clear: A clear vision guides your team toward common goals.
- Be Patient: Real change and success take time. Patience is key.
These insights would have made my leadership journey smoother and more effective. Lead with these principles in mind.