21 Core Beliefs That Will Take Your Leadership From Good to Great
Great leaders come from all eras, all levels of society, and all cultures--but there are certain beliefs great leaders share.
These core beliefs are the foundation of your leadership, the things that will help you become successful. See how many you share:
1. Leading by example
Albert Schweitzer said, "Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing." The people around you are watching your every move and looking to emulate you. 2. Balancing vision and execution
Success requires two interrelated elements: a compelling and clearly articulated vision and the ability to inspire others to work with you in carrying it out. 3. Showing respect
Earning the respect of others is important, but showing respect is the foundation of meaningful relationships--and therefore of leadership. 4. Accepting accountability
Being accountable means that you accept responsibility for the outcomes expected of you, both good and bad. You don't blame others, and you do the right thing even when it's not easy.
5. Committing to courage
Aristotle called courage the first virtue, because it makes all of the other virtues possible. Courage is not the absence of fear but the acquired ability to move beyond the fear when times are tough and challenging, because at the end of the day courage is the commitment to begin without any guarantee of success. 6. Delivering inspiration
If you can inspire a group of people to believe in something, you can motivate them to be in constant state of transformation and to ignore the perceived notion of their limitations. Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence, and making sure it lasts in your absence.
7. Taking risks and learning from mistakes
There's no reward without risk--but even the worst mistakes should never stop you from taking a chance again. Success is all about taking risks.
8. Exhibiting confidence
Confidence is treated as something we're either born with or not, but it can be practiced and learned. Great leaders understand that you must believe in yourself to have the confidence to lead others.
9. Welcoming Optimism
Optimism is a magnet. If you stay positive and optimistic, good things and good people will be drawn to you.
10. Leading with integrity
Integrity is the consistency of your actions, your words, your values, and your moral principles. It's at the center of every true success.
11. Investing in others
When you make the time to invest in others, they will return great value. When you invest in your people you are investing in the future.
12. Encompassing humility
Great leaders remain humble even after they have acquired great success, money, and power. Confidence is who we are on the outside, and humility is who we are on the inside.
13. Contributing through fairness
If you treat people fairly they will likely treat you back with the same. Leaders who are fair and impartial are the ones who are admired and remembered.
14. Maintaining focus
Great leaders live by the acronym FOCUS--Follow One Course Until Successful. They succeed because a concentrated focus determines reality.
15. Manifesting loyalty
The deepest devotion occurs when loyalty is a two- way street. When you lead you need to give your loyalty and give it daily.
16. Embodying honesty
Integrity requires that you be true and honest--and the long reach of electronic media makes keeping secrets a risky proposition. People respect true hearts because they produce honest actions.
17. Honoring trust
The first job of a leader is to inspire trust and build it daily, and great leaders know that trust must be given if it's going to be earned. Leadership is an achievement of trust.
18. Exhibiting appreciation
Everyone wants to be valued and appreciated and recognized for who they are and what they do. As a leader, you must find ways to recognize and reward people when they do great work.
19. Embracing communication
Communication is vital--and that means being not only a great speaker but also a great listener. Great leaders engage directly with what's in front of them, and they never underestimate the power of the smallest interaction.
20. Measuring each moment
Great leaders believe that true leadership is measured in moments, not years. What you do every moment today will influence your future.
21. Leading with character
The things that make you different are the things that define your character, and your character is what defines your leadership.