None of these are groundbreaking. Most leaders would probably say similar things, maybe just in different words.
These are simply my observations, my experiences and my opinions.
And they’re not in order of importance – just the way they came to me.
Be aware of your energy, how you’re showing up and the impact it has on those around you.
Do the toughest things first. The hard conversation. The difficult email. The decision you’re avoiding. Carrying it all day drains your energy.
Be disciplined with your routines – personal and professional. Exercise routine, nutrition routine, meeting routine.
Be selfish about protecting them. You can’t be everything to everyone if you’re not looking after yourself first.
Lead with kindness and empathy. Always.
Understand that people will sometimes lie straight to your face. Don’t take it personally. Most of the time they’re protecting their own interests, not trying to hurt you.
Time, space, the quality of the conversation and what happens next is what matters most. I used to think every person who left the business was because they didn’t like me or I had failed them somehow. Turns out, 99% of the time it had very little to do with me.
Welcome team members back when values alignment still exists. We’ve learned valuable lessons here over the years. There are many people we’d gladly welcome back – and others we wouldn’t. And truthfully, they probably wouldn’t want to come back either. That’s okay too.
Don’t ignore the niggle. The gut feel. That little voice telling you something isn’t right. Usually, it isn’t. I read a book years ago called The Gift of Fear and it taught me a lot about intuition and the importance of trusting it.
Give yourself time to think, daydream and be curious. Some of the best ideas come when there’s space to breathe and think properly.
Speak up. Lean in. Have a voice. Learn how to have robust conversations and healthy conflict. They’re incredibly valuable when done with respect and when everyone feels heard.
If you’re leading younger generations, prepare to be challenged like never before. As a Gen X kid, I was taught to put my head down, work hard and eventually I’d be recognised. Younger generations are different. They challenge decisions, question leadership and ask for what they want. And honestly? There’s a part of me that admires that. They’re changing leadership for the better in many ways.
Trust people and assume good intentions. If you can’t trust the team around you, they probably shouldn’t be there. People will have moments where they nail it and moments where they don’t. Be the leader willing to have the conversations, not avoid them.
Leadership humbles you.
It stretches you.
It teaches you more about yourself than almost anything else.
And after 12 years, I still feel like I’m learning every single day.
