What Elite Leaders Do – Elite Leadership

Leadership Traits and Tips that Win others over

No one said being a leader was easy. So, what does it take?

When I look back at the best coaches in my life, men like MLB manager Del Crandall, Murray State’s Johnny Reagan, and Joliet Catholic’s Gordie Gillespie, I realize I would run through the proverbial brick wall for them. FOr some unmentionables, I wanted no part of following. The mentioned brought out the best in everyone. The others brought out the opposite. Win or lose following a natural leader led to holding our heads high. However, playing for a jerk didn’t feel as fulfilling as expected, even when winning.

Of course, there are false leaders too. They lead in the present, but history proves they were what they were – only out for themselves or for a few, not for the masses. It bears to be careful who we follow – a story for another time.

Once again, I want to express that winning isn’t the scoreboard. Instead, it’s bringing out the best in oneself and others, no matter the result. After exploring the difference between the leaders and the not so much, I drew the following conclusions.  

Top Leadership Traits

Leaders:

1.     Are themselves in all situations. They understand they cannot be perfect, but they do not break, even when they must bend.

2.     Make things about others as much as themselves, walk the talk, and teach life lessons.   

3.     Show they care others have success, not just themselves, and never expect things they wouldn’t do.

4.     Are organized and prepared daily. Putting everyone in a position to succeed takes work and caring.

5. Use encouragement, not ridicule, for motivation. They look people in the eye with an expression, “I believe in you.”

6. Dispense expertise without self-importance and negativity, behaviors that do not inspire.

7. Get everyone to accept their roles with talk of trust and teamwork, which is not a simple task when dealing with many egos.

8.     Create environments with little fear of making mistakes by setting realistic expectations each day and spending the day trying to outdo them.

9.     Give concrete reasons for decisions, knowing “just because I said so” is no answer. They never believe they know it all or are unwilling to change.

10.  Finally, leaders do their best never to be the reason someone fails.  

Happy Trails!