Leadership isn’t about following a checklist or adhering to a rigid formula. If you’re reading this, you’ve likely mastered the fundamentals. You’re competent, respected, and delivering results. Yet, there’s a nagging feeling that something’s missing – that intangible quality distinguishing good leaders from truly exceptional ones.
The culture within an organisation profoundly impacts its performance. Culture isn’t about right or wrong; it’s about collective behaviours and shared norms. These norms, whether positive or negative, significantly affect both the bottom line and operational safety.
Are they aligned with best practices?
As a leader, it’s important to examine your organisation’s practices. Are they aligned with best practices and procedures, or have they devolved into “the way things are done around here”? It’s your responsibility to observe, analyse, and intervene when necessary.
Remember, your team will rise to the level of your expectations and example – but rarely beyond. Therefore, leadership is about setting the bar high through your own actions and decisions.
By incorporating principles like those in Covey’s 7 Habits, you can significantly elevate your leadership effectiveness. Moreover, this isn’t about drastic overhauls, but rather refining your approach to inspire and empower your team to reach their full potential.
The journey from good to great leadership involves continuous self-reflection, a commitment to personal growth, and the courage to challenge the status quo when needed. Furthermore, this process requires patience and persistence, as true leadership transformation doesn’t happen overnight.
Be Proactive
means taking initiative and responsibility for actions and decisions. Instead of blaming external factors, proactive leaders focus on what they can influence and control. They choose their responses to situations, rather than simply reacting. It sounds simple, yet at first it takes a concerted effort to be mindful of this all the time. Here are some tips:
- Anticipate challenges before they arise
- Take ownership of problems and solutions
- Empower your team to make decisions
Begin with the End in Mind.
This point is all about having a clear vision of what needs to be achieved. Set meaningful goals and develop strategies to reach them. This habit is about defining your destination before you start the journey.
Research shows that leaders should allocate their time as follows:
- 30% on strategic planning and goal-setting
- 30% on team development and management
- 30% on operational tasks and execution
- 10% on administrative duties and scheduling
However, many leaders get caught up in day-to-day operations, neglecting important strategic work. Be disciplined in protecting your time for high-level planning and team development.
Put First Things First.
In this habit we seek to prioritise and have amazing time management. To do this, Leaders must focus on what’s truly important, not just what’s urgent. Improvement in this area can be guided through:
- Using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritise tasks
- Scheduling your most important work during your peak productivity hours
- Learning to say “no” to low-priority requests
Think Win-Win.
So often we see or hear win/lose happening. To be a great leader you need to seek mutually beneficial solutions in all interactions. Understand that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of others. To create a win-win mindset:
- Encourage collaboration over competition within your team
- Look for ways to align individual goals with organisational objectives
- Celebrate team successes, not just individual achievements
Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood.
Now this point is VERY important. Great leaders are excellent listeners. They make a genuine effort to understand others’ perspectives before expressing their own views. Again, a point that is simple to read, yet at first hard to practice.
To improve your listening skills:
- Practice active listening – focus fully on the speaker
- Ask open-ended questions to gain deeper insights
- Summarise what you’ve heard to ensure understanding
Create synergy.
Seek mutually beneficial solutions in interactions. Synergy is about creating better solutions through collaboration. Leaders who embrace this habit recognise that diverse perspectives lead to innovation and better outcomes. To promote synergy:
- Build diverse teams with complementary skills
- Encourage brainstorming and creative problem-solving
- Create an environment where all ideas are welcomed and respected
Sharpen the Saw.
The final habit emphasises continuous personal and professional growth. Effective leaders invest in their own development and encourage their team members to do the same. To sharpen your saw:
- Set aside time for learning and reflection
- Seek feedback from peers, mentors, and team members
- Encourage a culture of continuous improvement in your organisation
Yet there is still something I wish to add.
The Blind Spot: Emotional Intelligence
Leadership is not just about managing people – it’s about inspiring and empowering others to achieve greatness. While Covey’s 7 Habits provide a solid foundation, they often fall short in addressing the critical role of emotional intelligence (EQ) in leadership. Research shows that EQ accounts for 90% of what sets high performers apart from peers with similar technical skills and knowledge. Ask yourself:
- Do you truly understand the emotional undercurrents in your team?
- Can you effectively manage your own emotions under pressure?
- Are you able to inspire and motivate beyond mere compliance?
The Power of Vulnerability.
Great leaders aren’t afraid to show their human side. Brené Brown’s research reveals that vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change. Yet, many leaders shy away from it, fearing it as weakness. I ask you to challenge yourself. Ask the following, be real, and if you can’t recall a time, then make it happen:
- When was the last time you admitted a mistake to your team?
- How often do you ask for help or feedback?
- Do you share your own struggles and learning experiences?
Cultivating a Growth Mindset Culture.
While personal growth is central, exceptional leaders nurture a culture of continuous learning throughout their organisation. Carol Dweck’s work on growth mindset shows its profound impact on innovation and resilience. Reflect on:
- Does your team feel safe to take risks and learn from failures?
- How do you celebrate effort and progress, not just outcomes?
- Are you actively developing your succession pipeline?
The Art of Strategic Empathy.
Beyond just listening, strategic empathy involves deeply understanding and acting on the needs and motivations of your team, stakeholders, and customers. It’s about aligning your leadership with the human element of business. Consider:
- How well do you know the personal goals and challenges of each team member?
- Are you adapting your leadership style to individual needs?
- Do your strategic decisions consider the human impact, not just the bottom line?
The journey from good to great leadership isn’t about adding more tasks to your to-do list. It’s about deepening your self-awareness, embracing vulnerability, embracing growth as a given and practicing empathy. When you fill that intangible gap that you’ve sensed but perhaps couldn’t name.
Remember, the most impactful leaders aren’t just skill-masters or habit-followers. They’re individuals who continually evolve, connect deeply with others, and courageously lead in the face of uncertainty. Remember, leadership is a journey of constant growth and improvement. Embrace these habits, and watch your impact as a leader soar.
Your next step? Choose one area where you feel the biggest gap and commit to focused improvement. The path to exceptional leadership is ongoing, but with each step, you’ll find that missing piece becoming clearer.
