5 Principles That Elevated My Game as a Leader
Great leaders are born.
Just like everyone else.
But they weren’t born great leaders.
They were simply born with the potential to become a great leader.
It takes work, discipline, and commitment to hone one’s ability to lead well.
I have been fortunate in my life to be mentored by some great leaders.
Masters of the craft.
I spent more than 30 years in the franchise world.
In 1998, I joined a little-known family business where I spent nearly 20 years before “retiring” to write the next chapter of my life as a speaker and author.
Eventually, I would become one of two non-family executives and help build that little company into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.
I am forever grateful for my time there. I became part of the leadership team that poured their wisdom into me and helped grow my ability to influence.
Other mentors and teachers along the way helped this ninth-grade drop-out continue his unconventional education in business and in life.
One hallmark of all the great leaders I’ve known is their willingness to share what they’ve learned with others.
This week I would like to share five principles with you that helped me elevate my leadership game.
1. Only take advice from people qualified to give it.
Everybody has an opinion.
Many will want to tell you what you should do.
The conversation usually starts with, “Can I give you some advice?”
Or my personal favorite, “You know what you should do?”
How wonderful.
Bless their heart, they want to help you be a better leader.
I love to learn.
But only from someone qualified to give the advice.
What qualifies them?
Results.
Period.
A lot of “experts” can espouse the principles of leadership because they read them somewhere and they have a good memory.
I mean no disrespect, but I don’t care what someone knows until I know what they’ve done.
What have they accomplished?
Are they getting better results and playing at a higher level as a leader?
If so, I am all ears.
If not, I have things to get done.
Next.
2. Never complain about what you allow to exist.
This one doesn’t really need an explanation.
It speaks for itself.
As a leader, if you allow something or someone to exist that is not adding value to the team and the team’s results, that is on you.
Seems harsh, KB.
Yep.
Being a great leader isn’t easy if it was everyone would do it.
The hard truth is nothing destroys a team or culture faster than high achievers watching their leader tolerate poor performance and problems.
Own it. Resolve it. Move on.
3. Ask better questions instead of trying to have all the answers.
This one hurts a bit.
I struggled with this as a young leader.
I felt like as a leader, I was responsible for having all the answers.
Like I should walk into the room and announce to all, “Relax everyone, I am here to save the day!"
I have observed others do the same.
How silly.
What I have discovered is that great leaders never have all the answers.
But they are really good at asking questions.
They know where the answers may be hiding.
I have learned that great leaders really are the smartest person in the room.
Really?
Absolutely.
I believe the smartest person in the room invites the smartest people into the room.
They ask great questions and then shut up.
They listen.
Consider.
They remove barriers so their people can perform and produce at a high level.
Someone on the team will always have the answers needed to fix things and move forward.
Great leaders create an environment of collaboration where people feel safe to share and valued for their contribution.
4. When there’s a problem only talk to people with the ability to help solve it.
When facing a challenge or obstacle, great leaders do not waste time talking to people who aren’t going to help solve the problem.
I have seen many inexperienced leaders run around an organization talking to dozens of people about a problem those individuals can’t fix.
What are they doing?
Usually complaining.
And while they’re complaining, the problem is most likely growing.
Great leaders are hyper-focused on solving problems in the shortest amount of time.
They go directly to the source and those who have the capacity to execute and deliver a solution.
The bottom line is that problems, roadblocks, and obstacles directly impact the bottom line.
The longer they linger, the more it costs.
Fix it fast. Get it done.
5. We reproduce what we are.
I was in franchising for more than 30 years.
Franchising is all about duplication.
A franchised business is built around a SYSTEM that produces consistent, predictable results.
Leadership is the same.
We teach others our SYSTEM for doing business.
We teach them our leadership style.
Our process for solving problems.
We transfer our leadership language.
We model our standard operating procedure.
We do this as friends.
As parents.
And as significant others.
We teach those around us how to treat others.
And us.
Leadership is the greatest gift in the world.
It is also the greatest responsibility.
Remember that someone is always watching.
Learning how to be you.
And what is acceptable.
Leadership is a superpower that should be used for good.
The world needs more great leaders.
This week, I want to encourage you to become the kind of leader who turns everyday moments into a lifetime of excellence.
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Kevin D. Brown is a branding and culture expert. He’s an award-winning motivational speaker, bestselling author, and the creator of The Hero Effect®. Follow him on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.