7 Ingredients To Be A Great Leader

7 Ingredients for Being a Great Leader

“An effective captain guides their crew from a position of authority, but a remarkable leader ignites the fire within each team member and leads from the heart.”. D. Arnold

Finding amazing leaders is tough!

I identified seven key elements that make outstanding leaders truly remarkable.

When you exude passion, it becomes contagious, positively influencing those around you. The stronger your passion for your work, the more effective and productive you become. Your enthusiasm becomes an inspiration, motivating others to emulate your drive and commitment.

“People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.” –John C. Maxwell

Perseverance is a key ingredient for becoming an outstanding leader. Imagine if Moses had thrown in the towel when Pharaoh refused to release the Israelites after the sixth plague. It’s a reminder that staying resilient in the face of challenges can lead to remarkable outcomes.

Imagine this scenario: you’re attempting to split a stone, and after striking it 101 times, the stone finally gives way, revealing a massive golden nugget. Now, consider what would have happened if you had given up on swings 99 or 100. This highlights the importance of persistence; sometimes success is just a swing away.

Guiding a ship is a breeze when the sea is calm. This ancient wisdom from Publilius Syrus reminds us that true leadership shines in the face of challenges, much like steering a ship through turbulent waters.

Embracing compassion is a vital trait for exceptional leadership. It goes beyond the role, connecting you with your team on a deeper level.

Being compassionate is like having a superpower for leaders. It helps you really understand and appreciate the sacrifices your team makes. It’s the special ingredient that brings everyone together.

“Give your full attention when people speak.” –Ernest Hemingway

Empathy is the companion of compassion. Without it, you can never reach the pinnacle of greatness in leadership.

Leaders don’t cause suffering; they share the burdens of pain.” –Max Depree

“The Little Things That Matter: Many ‘bosses’ seem to overlook the significance of small gestures.”

“Simple acts like recalling birthdays, work anniversaries, and other personal milestones can make a significant impact.”

“Prioritize the small details; they can make a big difference in building strong connections and fostering a positive environment.”

“A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share of the credit.” –Arnold Glasow

Becoming a Great Leader by Putting Others First To be an excellent leader, it’s crucial to focus on others. When you prioritize the needs and goals of those around you, it not only defines great leadership but also makes your leadership more effective and engaging. Putting others first creates an environment where teamwork, understanding, and shared success thrive, making you a standout leader.

When we’re moving up in our careers, we often forget to consider others.

Caught up in our own tasks, we often lose sight of the people around us and their needs.

“Boosting others’ worth begins with recognizing and appreciating their value first.” -John Maxwell

Having a moral compass is like having a north star. It guides you in making the right choices and keeps you on the ethical path.

“A leader’s excellence shines through the standards they set for themselves.” – Ray Kroc

Endurance and perseverance go hand in hand. Endurance is about pushing through when tired, while perseverance is finding ways to refresh yourself and the team when a project gets boring. It’s the key to overcoming challenges and achieving lasting success.

“A leader is someone you trust enough to follow to new places you might not go on your own.” – Joel Barker

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Accepting Recognition

Accepting Recognition

“People usually work for money, but they often put in extra effort when they get recognized, praised, or rewarded.” — Dale Carnegie

One thing I struggle with is acknowledging when I’ve done well and deserve some recognition.

You might be wondering, “Why wouldn’t you take credit for what you’ve earned?” Well, it’s not that I refuse to accept recognition; I just don’t always make it known when I deserve some acknowledgment.

I’ve never been great at talking about my own achievements. It’s just not my style. I know it’s different from what most people do—they often take credit for things they didn’t really do. But I’ve always tried to avoid that. The thing is, by not bragging, I sometimes miss out on the recognition I deserve for what I’ve actually accomplished. 

In a recent meeting with my new manager, they asked, “What do you do when you travel?” My response was straightforward: “I chat with the drivers about their work hours and figure out the challenges they’re facing. This way, I can understand the actual problems we’re dealing with out in the field.”

What I really meant to say was, “When I travel, I make an effort to connect with each driver, understanding their worries and finding ways to assist. Spending time with them on-site helps me see firsthand the challenges they face with rules and policies. I prefer involving the field employees in brainstorming solutions to the issues we uncover. Once we’ve got a few ideas, I bring them up in a laid-back meeting with the division managers.” 

While I’m out in the field, I use the time to provide important training for the drivers. I cover essential things like Hours of Service, Telogis, and other DOT-related information that they might not be aware of.

When I’m out in the field, I get to check out their equipment and how well they maintain it. If there are any problems, I deal with them right there on the job site. I’ve come across various issues, from serious ones like employees driving company vehicles without authorization to simpler things. Without visiting these job sites, we wouldn’t have caught these problems until law enforcement stepped in.

Lastly, I make an effort to build relationships. It pays off because when I need something from that division in the future, they’re more likely to lend a hand. Plus, if they have

questions, they’re more inclined to give me a call. These are just a few things on my checklist when I’m on the road.

Which answer do you prefer? Definitely the second one! It explains exactly what I’m doing and what I’m trying to achieve when I’m out there. It gives me the credit I deserve for what’s really happening.

Why didn’t I mention that in the meeting? Who knows. The important thing now is figuring out how to solve the problem. I’ve started using these 5 simple steps to help me out.

I make it a habit to pray before, during, and after my conversations. Asking God for guidance in my talks has made a huge difference. Instead of regretting what I didn’t say after a conversation, I now feel confident that it went just the way it was supposed to. 

Practice genuine listening. I’ve been working on this for a while. Often, when someone speaks, we’re just thinking about our reply. My suggestion is to hear the entire question, take a deep breath, and then respond. If I try to form my answer while they’re still talking, I might miss a crucial part of the question. Plus, they might be acknowledging something I’ve done, and I could miss it if I’m not really tuned in.

Pause and take a deep breath. I do this before answering a question. It helps me organize my thoughts and make sure I give myself the credit I deserve. 

Keep it real. I never exaggerate my answers. If I’m not doing something, I won’t pretend I am. But if I am, I will make sure to share all the details.

Share it all. Even if I think it’s not a big deal, I still mention it. That tiny detail could be what makes me stand out from my colleagues. Better yet, it might inspire a great idea in someone on the team.

Own your achievements without being boastful. It doesn’t mean you brag all the time or take over every meeting to showcase every little detail. When asked, don’t shy away from the truth. You might be surprised at how much recognition you already have from what others have seen you achieve. Remember, you’re not THE team; you’re a crucial part of the team!

Thanks

Have a Blessed Day 

Enhance your faith-led leadership journey with God First Life Next. Explore empowering insights at “Trusting God’s Guidance Every Step of the Way” Let faith guide your leadership. Click for purposeful living at GodFirstLifeNext.org.

Age is all in how you look at it

AGE IS ALL IN HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.

Reflecting on my childhood, around the age of 5, I considered my brother old, even though he was just 4 years older. My parents seemed old, though they were only in their mid-thirties. My grandparents appeared ancient, and my great-grandparents felt almost extinct. It’s funny how perspective changes as we grow up!

At 12, I applied to volunteer at our local fire department. The chief eyed me and asked, “Think you can help us out around here?” With confidence, I replied, “You bet I can!” I became the youngest member of their junior firefighter crew. The chief took a chance, letting me join two years earlier than others. I learned a lot during my time there and stayed active for quite a while. What I loved most was that everyone on the team was genuinely happy to have help, no matter what the task. Back then, I didn’t realize it, but I was learning to appreciate everyone. And those “old guys”? They could outwork me any day, teaching me humility concerning my age.

At age 18, I applied for a job as a manager at a rental car facility. The hiring manager, after reading my resume, quickly called me in for an interview. When I arrived, she gave me a once-over and said, “Your resume made you seem much older. Sorry, but I just can’t hire someone so young.” I left feeling a bit down, but I believed that bigger plans were in store for me. After the interview, she admitted that she’d like to hire me, but corporate wouldn’t allow it due to my age. They let their corporate mindset dictate what society deems an acceptable age for leadership, overriding their initial impression. 

This pattern continued into my 20s. Eventually, I landed a job with an amazing company. They quickly put me in a leadership role, and I thrived. They offered me a promotion, and we gladly accepted. With God’s grace, I continued to excel. However, when our company was acquired, the new upper leadership appreciated my style and communication skills, despite my younger age. Suddenly, our department underwent a leadership change. The new leaders reverted to “old-school” thinking, believing you needed a college degree and a certain age for manager status. Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to advance further, so I eventually started Eclipse DOT and ventured into working for myself.

If you’ve stuck with me through this blog, you might be thinking, “Okay, he’s been through some age discrimination.” We all have stories like mine. The reason I’m sharing this is to encourage us to step up and make a change. As we climb into leadership roles, let’s not overlook younger candidates—they could bring great potential to our companies. Also, don’t dismiss older individuals just because you think their ideas might not align with yours. See each person as someone capable of getting the job done. Let’s not focus on the color of their hair or how young they appear.

Every day, when we look in the mirror, we have the chance to see exactly what we want. If you perceive yourself as too old or too young, that’s what you become. If you see yourself as the right person for the job, then you are the right person. Don’t let self-doubt disqualify you. Whether you’re the youngest or the oldest, own it. Be proud of your accomplishments and believe that you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

From my perspective, I’m a relatively young guy. To my grandparents, I’m still a kid, but in my kids’ eyes, I’m old. It’s all about perspective. If you believe you’re too old for the job, you are. If you think you’re too young for a leadership role, then you are. Don’t let your mind be the barrier to applying yourself, and don’t let your age determine your possibilities. Be strong; own your age, because, in the end, it’s all in your head anyway.

Enhance your faith-led leadership journey with God First, Life Next. Explore empowering insights at “Encouraging Through Challenges: A Positive Perspective.” Let faith guide your leadership. Click for purposeful living at GodFirstLifeNext.org.

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