10 Thoughts on Leadership

1. Leadership is evasive. Just when you think you've got it, you figure out you have so much to learn. 

2. There are three types of leadership. Strategic, operational, and people/personal. Each type has sub-skills. Much of the time, the three most important are problem solving (strategic), results driven execution (operational), and being sought after as a developer of people (people). All easier said than done.

3. Your "first team" is your peers and your boss. You have an obligation to dissent with them and you have an obligation of loyalty to them. 

4. Nothing behind anyone's back, ever. This is critical. (Even better, if someone talks behind someone else's back, make it clear that you will not engage and that they should speak directly to the person.)

5. Assume positive intent and that peoples actions are consistent with their values. They believe they are doing the right thing. (True jerks are 1 in a 1000. The worst are high-performing jerks who should be fired because they are toxic).

6. With respect to radical candor, you must show you care deeply in order to earn the right to challenge directly.

7. Check yourself if feel you may be managing by fear. You'll get performance in the short term, but lose your team in the long term. In my experience, people leave managers not companies. 

8. There are 4 major management styles. Authoritarian, consultative, consensus, and hands off. Most of the time, you should strive to be a consultative leader - that means you seek input then YOU make the decision. 

9. As relates to strategic problem solving and management style, take the time to identify the strategic levers and prioritize. This allows you to put all your energy into the things that matter.  Sins include (a) focusing on everything (b) spending energy on low ROI projects (c) escalating trivial issues.

10. Communicate in words and deeds that we are ALL in the boat together. Sink or swim. 

(Bonus #11: When you escalate a problem, make sure to bring a solution.)