Great leaders do 10 things to be more effective.

Whales are remarkable animals. 

They demonstrate elaborate communication techniques and are highly sophisticated at cultural exchange. 

They collaborate to fish more effectively and have distinct roles that ensures success and efficiency. 

Killer whales will line up in a row and beat their tails. This creates waves that knock seals off ice sheets.

Whales also swim beneath a school of fish in circles, blowing air bubbles to the surface which isolates and traps the fish. This requires tremendous team coordination and excellent communication skills.

There’s a popular statistic circulating today that celebrates the idea that the average CEO reads at least 50 books each year. Ironically, most employees report feeling languished at work.

Listen, I love to read too. However, learning isn’t complete until you apply it!

Effective leadership requires constantly improving and learning what motivates each person on your team. It also requires humility and the ability to make difficult decisions.

Here are 10 things people in leadership positions can do to improve success.

Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them. John C. Maxwell

1 – Being consistent with your beliefs

There is nothing less inspiring than people with beliefs that meander. Genuine confidence is the result of espousing firm beliefs and practicing the art of effective communication, listening skills and setting a good example for people desperately seeking direction. 

Mountaintops inspire leaders but valleys mature them. Winston Churchill

2 – Being able to make hard choice

Great leadership demands making difficult decisions. It’s easy to criticize somebodies’ decisions. However, making difficult decisions often requires doing what isn’t popular in favor of doing what’s best for everyone.

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. Leo Tolstoy

3 – Being able to earn respect

Earning respect is crucial for success and creating a trusting connection with people. Empathy. Humility and kindness are a great place to start. When you exhibit these characteristics consistently, it’s easy for people to be inspired and much easier to earn respect.

Leading people is the most challenging and, therefore, the most gratifying undertaking of all human endeavors. Jocko Willink

4 – Being able to Know your Team

Being a better leader requires taking time to truly understand each person on your staff. You aren’t striving for perfection, but awareness. Utilizing each person to their full potential stimulates creativity, innovation and efficiency. 

5 – Being able to recognize people is the key to success. 

In a world of automation, many companies are abandoning the idea that people matter most. Saving money is the catalyst for every decision, and profit drives every choice. I am not sure about you, but I have no interest in ordering food from a kiosk at the expense of engaging with another person.   Having groceries dropped off at my door and missing the chance to laugh with the produce manager. Surround yourself with great people. Magical things happen.

The secret of leadership is simple: Do what you believe in. Paint a picture of the future. Go there. People will follow. Seth Godin

6 – Being able to articulate a Clear Vision

Great leaders have remarkable vision. Best of all, they understand how to articulate that vision. Great leaders establish big objectives and encourage people to contribute by accessing their full potential. They inspire cooperation by being decisive.

As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those that empower others. Bill Gates

7 – Being able to push people toward greatness

Great leaders understand their purpose and that clarity resonates with people. When somebody has deep convictions and consistently practices the principles they profess to espouse, other people elevate to higher levels of excellence. 

A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd. Max Lucado

8 – Being committed to serving a Greater Cause

Whatever your belief system, it’s difficult not too respect somebody that personifies what they believe. Great leaders are motivated by things larger than themselves. Sadly, many leaders are arrogant and selfish. They may profess to serve a “greater cause”, but their actions consistently contradict their eloquent speeches and mission statements. 

9 – Being committed to helping the Team

Real leadership isn’t about being in charge. It’s about establishing direction after eliciting insight from others. It’s about keeping people motivated, focused and determined. It’s about being realistic and offering emotional and financial support, especially when stakes are high. 

I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. Stephen R. Covey

10 – Being able to resist imposing your will

Great leaders don’t force people to follow. That only creates dissension and animus. Great leaders provide direction, support and inspiration. People chose to follow. It’s the equivalent of “free will”. People don’t need all the facts if the example is compelling enough to generate enthusiasm. 

Sum it up

Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flow charts. It is about one life influencing another. John C. Maxwell

Great leaders do many things that inspire success. Most importantly, they are good people with strong values. Being nice comes easy. Emotional intelligence compels them to constantly improve. Humility is second nature. Wisdom is etched on their soul and innovation runs in the veins.

Any other suggestions to improve our ability to LEAD more effectively? Please like and share this article and leave your thoughts in the comments section below. I love learning from you.

Steve Wohlenhaus is CEO of Weatherology, the leading company in the world at disseminating audio weather information.  Steve began his career as a major market television weather anchor in Minneapolis, where he received several Emmy Awards for science programming. Steve is an author and host of the post program Anatomy of Success. Reach out and connect with me on LinkedIn!