
WRITTEN BY GARRETT DELPH, CEO AND FOUNDER OF CLARITY OPS
“Who you are SHOUTS so loudly, I can’t hear what you’re SAYING.”
My dad once shared this quote with me years ago. Ever since, it has resonated with me throughout my life, shaping my thinking and decision-making. It serves as a constant reminder that how I act and behave is how I am perceived. And that behavior will attract or repel the people I am responsible for leading. Over the years, as I’ve guided teams and nurtured growth, I’ve realized that excellent leaders are rooted in the actions they take every day. Consistent professional behavior, clear communication, integrity, excellent planning, and EQ are the traits found in great leaders. They set a powerful example that inspires those around them to be excellent, too.
Whether you are looking to grow as a leader or simply looking for an inspirational reset, these
30 leadership principles are worth a read. They are a blueprint for the effective leadership of every aspiring leader. And, FWIW, these methods are not just theoretical; they are practical and actionable steps that will transform your leadership capabilities.
Let’s dive in.
30 Ways To Be Excellent At Leading
- Be Clear: Clarity is the cornerstone of excellent leadership skills. Know what you want and communicate it effectively.
- Execute: Plan your work and work your plan. Be the leader who gets things done.
- Be On Time: Punctuality reflects respect and discipline. It’s a simple yet powerful leadership trait.
- Keep Learning: An excellent leader is a continuous learner.
- Be Consistent: Consistency breeds trust. It’s a trait that differentiates average leadership from the great.
- Be Self-Aware: Understanding your strengths and shortcomings enhances your emotional intelligence, allowing you to lead with authenticity.
- Celebrate Wins: Acknowledge achievements, both big and small. This fosters a positive environment and motivates your team.
- Be Accountable: Hold yourself and your team accountable. You will simultaneously build a culture of trust.
- Publish Deadlines: Deadlines move mountains. Make them visible and prioritize completing them on time.
- Remind and Repeat: Jeff Weiner, ex-CEO of LinkedIn, said his primary role as a CEO is to be the chief reminder officer. His job is to be razor-sharp, clear about the goal direction, and constantly remind the people and the teams about that direction. So, remind and repeat.
- Coach and Be Coached: Leadership is a two-way street. Be open to coaching and ready to coach others.
- Don’t Hide; Be Transparent: Transparency builds credibility. Let your team see who you are and what you stand for.
- Give Away Your Knowledge: Sharing knowledge empowers others and enriches the collective wisdom of your team.
- Help and Support Your Team: Be the leader who lifts others up. Support is a defining characteristic of a good leader.
- Measure Always In All Ways: What gets measured gets managed. If you can’t measure it, you have no control and can’t manage it.
- Hold Your Team Accountable: Your teams and people were hired to achieve goals; support them but also hold them accountable to do what they were hired to do.
- Document Knowledge and Process: These are your repeatable directions, instructions, recipes, and formulas. When you document and then make them available, you empower with repeatable and scalable knowledge.
- KNOW What Your Team is Doing: Ensure your people are doing what they were hired to do. If that changes by design, update their JD. If it changes because they got off course, get them back on course. Otherwise, you will miss the mark.
- Embrace Change and Challenges: Adaptability and flexibility are leadership superpowers. This is a mindset that prevents you from freaking out when things happen that you did not want or did not expect.
- Be Flexible and Adaptable, Always: Flexibility ensures resilience. Adapt your leadership style to meet the needs of your team and the situation.
- Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan: A strategic plan executed with precision is the hallmark of good leadership.
- Acknowledge Mistakes and Failures: Don’t be the smartest person in the room all the time. If you make a mistake, own it publicly and with humility.
- Don’t Guess; Make business decisions based on facts: Business decisions based on facts always trump business decisions based on guessing.
- You Can Only Expect What You Inspect: Get clear on what you expect, and then proactively inspect it.
- Be Prepared, Take Notes, and Document: Preparation and documentation are foundational to effective leadership.
- Be Humble: Humility is not a weakness; it’s a strength that keeps you grounded and open to growth.
- Know the Difference Between Important and Urgent: Prioritization is vital. Distinguishing between the two is a sign of an effective leader.
- Say NO to the Wrong Stuff; Say YES to the Right Stuff: Focus your efforts on what truly matters, avoiding distractions that lead to inefficiency.
- Be 80% Optimistic, Reserve 20% for Risk Evaluation: Optimism propels leadership, but a measured approach to risks ensures stability.
- Tell the Truth – Even if it Makes Your Voice Shake: Honest communication, even when difficult, enhances trust and integrity.
Being an excellent leader is a journey of continuous improvement, marked by self-awareness, clarity, and a commitment to your team. When you adopt these principles, you will enhance your leadership strengths and shield against the pitfalls of bad leadership behaviors.
Leadership is not a destination. You have to put in the reps. Daily practice. It takes work and discipline, but it will pay off. You got this.
Also Read: 7 Strategies That Will Turn Your Business Around
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