How Great Leaders Excel Effortlessly, and You Don't Even Notice or Maybe You Do!

We all admire highly successful individuals. Their stories inspire us, and their advice is something we often strive to follow. We often jump at an opportunity to interact with them. But one aspect of real greatness, especially in leaders, is often overlooked: the ability to meet people where they are.

The most remarkable leaders I've known didn’t just tell me what I needed to do or who I should be; they helped me discover where I was, where I wanted to go, and how I could get there. They also showed me a confidence in myself that I had yet to discover. This approach has profoundly shaped my understanding of leadership, and I am so very grateful for these individuals.

Have you ever noticed the difference between leaders who genuinely connect with their team—and quite frankly just anyone—compared to those who seem to act above others? It’s stark! The leaders who rise to the top in title alone often carry an air of superiority. Ugh! When you encounter this, you can feel the difference. Sometimes, I force myself to give them all the understanding I can muster, chalking up their dismissiveness to perhaps situations I’m not aware of or their own difficult journey. And I don’t mean from a single occurrence but the repeated ones. But in reality, these two types of "leaders" are remarkably different. LEADERSHIP IS NOT A TITLE.

Effective leaders have a knack for understanding that every team member, every person, is unique, with their own strengths and weaknesses. Everyone has something to offer.

Good communication is crucial. The best leaders adapt their communication style to fit the needs of different people, they thrive here. They encourage open dialogue, making everyone feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns.

Empathy is at the heart of it all. These leaders genuinely care about others' well-being. By understanding the challenges people face and offering support, they build a foundation of trust and empathy.

People work in different ways, and great leaders recognize this. Flexibility in their approach makes a huge difference.

What truly sets the most admired leaders apart is their ability to meet people where they are, a quality honed through many tough lessons of their own. Their success comes with a depth of humility and relatability that makes them stand out. These leaders inspire trust and loyalty by understanding, communicating, empathizing, and adapting. They instill confidence in others that they might not yet see in themselves, truly inspiring and leading others to their own greatness. Leadership isn’t about a title; it’s about the impact you have on those around you. These leaders are the true definition of success, and this is something we can all learn from and adapt.

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to shake Mary Barra 's (CEO 通用汽车 ) hand, look her in the eye, and take in her presence. She was genuine and gentle. I felt grateful for her time and empathetic to her act of service in shaking hands with many and engaging in a lot of small talk. I wanted to convey my respect for her because of how she showed up. I simply told her, “Thank you for being here today.” She is an example of meeting each person where they were that day, whether through the handshakes and many 60-second conversations or the fireside chat of giving encouragement and sharing the lessons she learned. That inspired me to consider an aspect that made her and others like her special.

Want to be a better leader through impactful influence? Meet people where they are.

Photo credits to Jeff Kowalsky photographer to the Detroit Economic Club .

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