As leaders, we are often encouraged to focus on external metrics, for example, visibility, performance, recognition. When we neglect the internal work, we risk losing our centre. Blaming society or systems may feel justified, and it also gives away our power. Yes, we have all been shaped, some may say manipulated by the pace of social media and the pressure to stay constantly "on." And in that, many have drifted from the deeper roots of community whether that’s Church, Synagogue, Mosque, or simply meaningful service to others. In my opinion, you can't lead with clarity if your life is led by everything else around you. I think by reclaiming your focus, values, and connection it isn’t just personal, it’s part of your leadership responsibility.
Authentic leadership traits
Infographic © Justin Wright
““A cat that dreams of becoming a lion must lose its appetite for rats.””
Building interpersonal skills
If you really want to learn more, start by listening more. It sounds simple but listening with the intent to understand and not to reply is one of the most overlooked leadership skills. Real learning begins when we create space for others to speak, and when we resist the urge to fill that space with our own voice. Nobody has ever learned anything new by dominating the conversation or hearing themselves talk. I think listening is where insight, trust, and real connections are built.
““The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.””
Skin in the game
In my experience, I have discovered a crucial factor that determines the effectiveness of leadership development, having “skin in the game.” Over the years, I have shared leadership insights and strategies with many professionals, sometimes for free and sometimes for a fee. A striking pattern emerged, when people received guidance for free, they rarely implemented it. However, when they paid for the same advice, implementation rates skyrocketed. This observation highlights an important truth: commitment increases when there is something at stake. In our society, money is a common way to ensure this commitment. When individuals invest financially in their growth, they are more likely to take action and extract value from the experience.
Separate but equal
““Strength is the product of struggle, you must do what others don’t to achieve what others won’t.””
Encourage creative thinking
Encouraging creative thinking and embracing new ideas are essential responsibilities of an effective leader, as innovation fuels progress and keeps teams engaged. To cultivate a culture where creativity thrives, leaders must create a safe and supportive environment that allows individuals to experiment, take calculated risks, and view failures as valuable learning opportunities rather than setbacks. By fostering an atmosphere where employees feel empowered to share fresh perspectives and challenge conventional thinking, you not only inspire greater innovation but also drive the organisation forward in an ever-evolving business landscape.
If you're ready to enhance your leadership skills and create a more engaged, motivated, and high-performing team, let's connect. Contact me via email to schedule a 1:1 discovery meeting and take the next step in your leadership journey.
Leading organisational growth
A defining trait of strong leadership is the commitment to investing in the development of team members, as fostering their growth leads to both individual and organisational advancement. Offering opportunities such as mentorship, professional training, and skill-building initiatives not only enables employees to progress in their careers but also strengthens the overall capabilities of the workforce. By actively supporting the personal and professional aspirations of your team, you cultivate a culture of continuous learning and improvement, which in turn enhances innovation, productivity, and long-term success for the organisation as a whole.
If you're ready to enhance your leadership skills and create a more engaged, motivated, and high-performing team, let's connect. Contact me via email to schedule a 1:1 discovery meeting and take the next step in your leadership journey.
Willingness to listen
c/o New York Times
Effective communication serves as the foundation of strong leadership, requiring not only the ability to articulate ideas clearly but also the willingness to actively listen to others. True communication goes beyond simply exchanging words; it involves paying attention to verbal expressions, non-verbal cues, and underlying emotions, ensuring that messages are received and understood as intended. Providing constructive feedback and fostering an atmosphere where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts can significantly enhance collaboration and trust. When leaders prioritise communication, they create alignment within their teams, reduce misunderstandings, and ultimately drive organisational success.
If you're ready to enhance your leadership skills and create a more engaged, motivated, and high-performing team, let's connect. Contact me via email to schedule a 1:1 discovery meeting and take the next step in your leadership journey.
Moving from me to we
Resilience is a crucial trait for any leader, as it enables them to navigate challenges, maintain focus under pressure, and recover quickly from setbacks. The ability to adapt and persevere in difficult circumstances is what distinguishes a strong leader from the rest, ensuring that obstacles do not derail progress but instead serve as opportunities for growth and learning. By cultivating resilience within yourself and encouraging your team to do the same, you create a culture of perseverance, adaptability, and strength, equipping the organisation to overcome adversity and emerge even stronger in the face of change.
If you're ready to enhance your leadership skills and create a more engaged, motivated, and high-performing team, let's connect. Contact me via email to schedule a 1:1 discovery meeting and take the next step in your leadership journey.
Let's speak about conditioning
c/o University of the Pacific
Women in many Western societies are conditioned to:
- Be grateful
- Know their place
- Be patient
- Take what's offered
- Seek validation
These messages shape careers, leadership journeys, and confidence levels. They influence how women negotiate, advocate for themselves, and take up space in the world. I think conditioning can be unlearned. Boldness can be built and systems can be challenged. This month, beyond celebrating achievements, let’s also reflect on what still needs to change. Let’s empower, uplift, and dismantle the barriers, both internal and external.
Send me an e-mail and let me know which one piece of conditioning you have had to unlearn.
Bring your team together
The best way to deepen your understanding of a subject is to teach it. When you share your knowledge, you not only reinforce what you already know but also gain new insights through discussion, questions, and different perspectives. I think teaching forces you to articulate concepts clearly, making your grasp of the topic even stronger. Empowering others in this way doesn’t just build their confidence and skills; it also strengthens your own leadership and adaptability. After all, learning is a two-way street, and when you give others the space to grow, you often end up learning just as much from them in return.
““A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.” ”
What are you capable of?
True leadership isn’t about micromanaging every detail, I think it’s about setting a clear vision and empowering others to find their own way forward. When you tell people exactly how to do something, you limit their creativity, their problem-solving abilities, and ultimately, their growth. But when you define the goal, provide the necessary resources, and step back, you create space for innovation and ownership.
Great leaders understand that trust is a catalyst for excellence. By relinquishing control over the "how," you invite people to take ownership of the process. You give them permission to experiment, fail, learn, and ultimately, deliver results that may far exceed your expectations. So, resist the urge to dictate every step, instead, inspire with clarity, support with confidence, and then stand back. You may just be amazed by what people can achieve when given the freedom to rise to the challenge.
Open door policy
c/o Harvard Business Review
A discerning leader knows the importance of boundaries, as not everyone deserves your time, attention, or energy. While it’s essential to be available to those you lead, not every request or individual is worth your focus. I think that using discretion in granting access is vital for maintaining your well-being and effectiveness. Leaders who set clear boundaries ensure their time and energy are used purposefully, focused on those and tasks aligned with their mission. What do you think?
Forward thinking
Long-term planning is essential for leaders navigating an increasingly turbulent, ever-changing, and hyper-competitive world. Unlike management, leadership requires the ability to look ahead and make sense of uncertainty. A wise leader understands that time is a powerful, dynamic force. I think they recognise that life and leadership operate in seasons, each bringing its own opportunities and challenges. True leaders manage time with intentionality, prioritising what matters most. Planning ahead, making the most of every moment, knowing that without the wisdom to navigate time, their influence and impact will fade. Interested? Contact me via email for further details about cultural and emotional intelligence coaching.
This makes sense
illustration: Lan Truong ©
Leaders are judged by their ability to cultivate and maintain strong relationships, as well as their capacity to determine the right course of action. The goal of leadership should be to empower those who are struggling to succeed while further enhancing the success of those who are already excelling. How do you hold others accountable for their responsibilities?
““Diversity is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice and belonging is having that voice be heard.””
Navigating unchartered territory
Image c/o @arvind.lakhani2
Effective leadership often involves questioning established norms and embracing innovative thinking. Leaders who prioritise emotional intelligence, and have a willingness to challenge their own beliefs are better equipped to inspire their teams and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of business. I think to move forward, leaders must challenge conventional wisdom and unlearn assumptions. Like an inventor or scientist, a leader operates in uncharted territory.
““Every great inventor or scientist has had to unlearn conventional wisdom in order to proceed with his work.””
Reaching the next level of leadership requires deliberate effort, it’s not a natural consequence of time or seniority. Tenure alone should never be the reason someone holds a leadership position. Advancing in leadership roles requires deliberate efforts in skill enhancement rather than relying solely on tenure. I think that leadership training should be crucial for career advancement.
The awareness of self
Although self-awareness is the least visible aspect of emotional intelligence (EQ), research indicates that individuals with low self-awareness struggle to develop strengths in other areas of EQ. By contrast, those with high emotional intelligence consistently achieve excellence in leadership, decision-making, and relationships. To cultivate self-awareness in emotional intelligence, it’s essential to focus on four key components.
Recognising emotions and their impact is like having an emotional radar, constantly scanning for shifts in your internal weather. This awareness helps you stay attuned to your feelings and how they influence your actions.
Understanding your personal strengths and limitations allows you to know when to lean into your superpowers - and when it’s time to call for backup.
Identifying your values and motivations serves as an internal compass, guiding you toward what truly matters in life.
Acknowledging biases and blind spots is crucial; while we all have them, the self-aware make a conscious effort to recognise and reduce their influence.
Together, these components form the foundation of emotional intelligence and a deeper connection to yourself and others. How do you cultivate self-awareness in your daily life?
Cultural accountability
c/o GETTY IMAGES
Winners hate to lose but are not afraid of failure as they understand that fear prevents us from attempting the very things that lead to success. In organisations, cultural architects embody this mindset, they are the leaders who drive progress and inspire others to move forward. In contrast, cultural prisoners are the naysayers who focus on obstacles and why something cannot be done rather than finding solutions. Reflecting on your organisation, how many people would you identify as cultural architects, and how many as cultural prisoners?
““Whatever is happening to you has been waiting to happen since the beginning of time.””
Layers of complexity
Leadership today is more challenging than ever, as it requires navigating the complexities of human anxiety, uncertainty, ambition, and egos - all at once. Leaders must also contend with younger employees who often project confidence, and assertiveness yet may still be uncertain about what they truly want. Millennials and Generation Z are unafraid to bypass their immediate managers to voice concerns directly, adding another layer of complexity. Furthermore, these generations tend to be less equipped to handle stress compared to their predecessors, underscoring the growing importance of effective and empathetic leadership.
Execution responsibility
Many people are conditioned to believe that being gracious means avoiding speaking up, especially when their boss gives instructions. This creates a false dichotomy: either stay silent or become overly critical by questioning and complaining about everything. I don’t think that either approach is effective. Instead, managers and leaders should focus on fostering accountability and encouraging conversations that matter. Holding your team accountable often serves as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue. I think by creating a space where employees feel safe to discuss how they can achieve the goals they were hired to accomplish, managers and leaders can cultivate a collaborative and productive environment.