The Bakers Dozen: Essential Values for Exceptional Leadership

Over the last year, I’ve been asked quite a few times what are the values that a leader must poses. In the dynamic landscape of leadership, certain values serve as the cornerstone for greatness. Here are what I consider the "Bakers Dozen" values that encapsulate the essence of a remarkable leader, guiding them towards success while fostering a positive and impactful work environment. As usual I picked 13 because I believe in giving a little extra all the time. Here are my 13 values and what I believe are their significance to exceptional leadership.

1. Honesty: Honesty lays the foundation for trust. A great leader is transparent and truthful, earning the trust and respect of their team through open communication. I’ve always believed that people deserve to hear the truth and have stuck with that mantra throughout my career.

2. Humility: Humility is the mark of a true leader. Embracing humility fosters a collaborative atmosphere, allowing leaders to acknowledge their strengths and weaknesses while appreciating the contributions of others. Always look to defer the credit to your associates. An astronaut might be the guy walking on the moon, but thousands of other people made it possible.

3. Integrity: A leader's integrity is their most valuable asset. Upholding a strong moral code builds credibility, setting the standard for ethical behavior within the team. One quote that has always stood out to me on Integrity is one by Les Brown, “Honor your commitments with integrity”.

4. Inspiration: A great leader inspires and motivates others. Through their actions and words, they ignite passion and drive, encouraging their team to strive for excellence. Here is a quote that has always been my guiding light when inspiring my team members, “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care”., President Theodore Roosevelt.

5. Curiosity: Curiosity fuels innovation. Leaders who embrace curiosity are open to new ideas, continuous learning, and creative problem-solving, driving their team towards growth. As I recently wrote in a blog piece, Learning and Leadership: The Law Of The Lid, Imagine your leadership abilities as a container or a lid. The higher the lid, the more you can contain and achieve. To be a exceptional leader, you must be a continual learner and leverage your curiosity.

6. Intentional: Being intentional means having a clear purpose. Exceptional leaders make deliberate decisions aligned with their vision, ensuring every action contributes to the overall success. Ask yourself as a leader this question, Are you leading work that you love in an organization you care about with people you enjoy? As mentioned in an article recently in Forbes online by Brent Gleeson titled, Leading With Purpose: How To Engage Others With Passion And Focus , “When you lead with purpose in any environment, you radiate an energy and passion for the work. Your passion impacts everyone around you. It inspires and motivates others”.

7. Empowering: Empowering leaders uplift their team. By delegating responsibilities, providing opportunities for growth, and acknowledging achievements, they empower individuals to reach their full potential. By empowering your associates, you ultimately are building new leaders and a strong team.

8. Empathy: Understanding and resonating with the emotions of others is a key leadership trait. Empathetic leaders create a supportive environment, fostering strong bonds within the team. This is value is one that a leader has to balance understanding and respecting their emotions, even during what might be a difficult conversation with an associate. You as a leader still need to be able to hold others accountable and responsible for their performance and actions.

9. Confidence: Confidence inspires confidence. A leader with self-assurance instills a sense of security and assurance within the team, driving them towards ambitious goals. Believe in yourself and be sure in yourself. Once associates see your confidence, it will create an energy within your team that allows them to see your confidence which instills confidence within your team.

10. Resilience: In the face of challenges, resilience prevails. Exceptional leaders bounce back from setbacks, demonstrating perseverance and determination that motivates their team to overcome obstacles.

11. Collaboration: Collaboration enhances collective success. Leaders who foster a collaborative environment leverage diverse strengths, ideas, and skills within their team, driving innovation and achieving shared goals.

12. Service: Great leaders serve their team. Putting others' needs first and leading with a service-oriented mindset fosters a culture of support and teamwork. As an exceptional leader, you serve your team. You are in the position to break down obstacles which are holding your team back,

13. Ethical: Ethical leadership is Non-Negotiable. Upholding high ethical standards ensures trust, credibility, and long-term success for both the leader and the organization.

These "Bakers Dozen" values form a comprehensive guide for aspiring and existing leaders alike. By embodying these values, you’ll not only propel yourself towards success but also cultivate an environment where your team can thrive. As we navigate the complex landscape of leadership, let these values be the compass that guides us towards becoming exceptional leaders.

Authors note: As an Independent Certified Coach, Teacher, Trainer, and Speaker with Maxwell Leadership Certified Team, I can provide individuals and companies with a multitude of services that can help identify areas and opportunities for business growth and leadership growth.

For Organizations and Companies, change starts with awareness and to increase your organizations or companies’ awareness, growth needs to be intentional. To stay in a growth environment, I offer a variety of programs and opportunities. One of those opportunities is a mastermind program for organizations and companies where I come and facilitate a meeting once a week, for 5 to 12 weeks, based around a John C. Maxwell resource of your choice.

For Executives or Individuals that want to dig a bit deeper and are interested in working one on one with me and want a faster track to success, I have a coaching program that can help you achieve results quickly, because it’s much more intensive.

Be sure to check out my website for all my services: John Gottschalk Certified Coach, Teacher, Trainer, and Speaker