The Self-Aware Leader

“Nothing so conclusively proves a man’s ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself. ” (former IBM chairman Thomas J. Watson)

1. “Learn followership” – You can’t learn to “lead well” if you don’t learn to “follow well.”
2. “Develop self-discipline” – Those who cultivate this kind of self-discipline grow in their ability to exercise authority over others as well. You are a King, yes, a King of yourself!
3. “Practice patience” – Most important goals take time to achieve. Forget about “instant greatness.” You need time to become a quality leader by investing in yourself over the long term
4. “Seek accountability” – As a leader, never trust only in yourself alone. Like everyone else, you are a fallible human being

“Good leaders are facilitators of success. They use their talents and influence to clear the way for their team members and help them succeed.”

“[A person’s] purpose in life is always connected to…his or her giftedness. ”

“As leaders, we think that when people leave our team or organization, it has little to do with us. In reality we are often the reason.”

For positive relationships, avoid these mistakes. 

• “People quit leaders who devalue them” – Show people you respect and appreciate them.
• “People quit leaders who are untrustworthy” – People don’t trust leaders who speak one way and act another
• “People quit leaders who are incompetent” – Nobody wants to work for a boss who doesn’t know what he is doing
• “People quit leaders who are insecure” – People flee from fearful, suspicious, distrustful and jealous leaders

“If you want to be a better leader, you need to learn what needs your attention and what doesn’t.”

The mature path is to learn from errors and from these leadership tips.

• “Choose focus over further exploration” – Some leaders are dilettantes
• “Choose personal growth over immediate gratification”
• “Put your team ahead of your career advancement”
• “Handle criticism with grace” – Criticism comes with leadership
• “Become the best learner in the room” – This will make you the best leader in the room, too

• “Judge your leadership by the success of your team” – Good leaders make things better
• “Take the longer road that leads to higher leadership”
• “Listen more than you talk” – When people speak to you, pay attention. Don’t get distracted or fidgety. Focus on them.
• “Credit others for your success” – The great leaders of history – “Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Charlemagne, William the Conqueror, Louis XIV, Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill” – could not have made their mark without the assistance of other people. This is true for all leaders