25 Experience Produced Leadership Nuggets

Here are 25 leadership nuggets I’ve learned over the years – many of them the hard way:

1. If you know the answer is no, say it now. Don’t give people false hopes for a yes or maybe that isn’t coming.
2. The more a leader says “I”, the less the team will feels like a “we”. Equally, if it’s “my” team then it will always be dependent on “me”.
3. Trust is the fuel of healthy relationships and healthy teams. Guard it well.
4. The words of a leader carry great weight. Don’t release them without thinking about them.
5. If the building is on fire get people out quickly. But remember, if you panic others will panic. Leaders develop a calm under pressure posture.
6. Make sure what you control is vision critical. You limit what (and who) you control .
7. Leaders of character don’t build themselves up by tearing others down.
8. Few people consider how they will sustain growth. Growth, sustainability and succession should be considered simultaneously.
9. You can’t lead at the highest level if you manage at every level.
10. People can’t see what you see if they don’t sit where you sit.
11. Part of leadership is being willing to make hard decisions no one else wants to make.
12. The leader has a responsibility to do the right thing, regardless of whether it brings popularity.
13. You only know what you know.
14. Some of a leader’s best work is not what the leader does, but what he or she inspires to be done.
15. Leaders exhibit courage and don’t shy away from hard conversations, conflict or challenges.
16. The best leaders are often the ones smart enough to get out of the way of smarter people.
17. Never try to handle a problem or make important decisions when you are angry or highly emotional.
18. Don’t be afraid to make people wait for excellence.
19. Never single someone out publicly who hasn’t been talked to privately.
20. As leader, never act like it’s NOT a big deal if you think it’s a big deal.
21. People naturally resist what they don’t understand. It makes communication one of the most important aspects of leadership.
22. You only get to excellence by forcing your way through the temptation to rest at mediocrity.
23. Above-average was once average. Someone just decided to do a little more.
24. The road to success is paved with hard work, perseverance and patience.
25. Excuses become good fuel for complacency.

Check out my leadership podcast where we discuss issues of leadership nuggets in a practical way. Plus, check out the other Lifeway Leadership Podcasts.