Leadership Is Not For Everyone

You are lost in the woods if you think you can have positive and productive and productive impact while ignoring the artistic side of your leadership.’

If you are going to lead, then perhaps learning to be authentic and accept responsibility is the most courageous place to start.’

You must listen to the stories people are telling about you and your culture, and then you must influence the stories.’

As a leader, you need to look reality in the face and accept it.’

Eliminating pretending as an organizational or personal strategy is a critical step to leading courageously.’

‘It’s time to come to terms with the fact that you simply can’t do it all.’

Driving your direct reports into action and encouraging involvement and initiative is critical to building high performance.’

Your presence as a leader relates to the heart and soul of who you are much more than it does to what you do.’

People are not afraid of taking action; they are afraid of what will happen if they take action.’

A courageous leader promotes personal responsibility in the organization.’

‘If you avoid responsibility, responsibility will eventually come back to get you.’

Source:

Mike Staver (2012). Leadership Isn’t for Cowards: How to Drive Performance by Challenging People and Confronting Problems

Leading With Integrity

Before you can lead others, you must first lead yourself.

Before you expect integrity from others, you must first lead yourself with integrity.

Be fair and honorable in your business dealings. It’s the only way that you and your employees can leave a legacy to be proud of.’

Never lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do. The culture of your organization starts with you.’

Own your lapses in judgment. It happens to everyone. Correct the problem and return to being a person of good character.’

Only promise what you can deliver. The quickest way to lose trust is to overpromise and underdeliver.’

Be decisive. Don’t take too much counsel of your fears. Be thoughtful, but not paralyzed by indecision.’

Be humble in your demeanor and your expectations.’

You are not entitled to anything but more hard work.’

Attack each day as though it were critical to the organization’s success.’

‘Accept the fact that this will lead to zealousness and the occasional screwup. This overenthusiasm is better than a culture of inaction.’

Learn from your mistakes and be prepared to take the next big risk. Don’t let a single failure define you.’

No great leader was ever timid or weak-kneed.’

Source:

Admiral William H. McRaven (2023). The Wisdom of the Bullfrog: Leadership Made Simple (But Not Easy)