In 2018, I celebrated my 35th birthday and of those 35 years, I have been exercising leadership for over 20 of them. During my time, I have learned a large number of leadership lessons and decided to do a podcast episode solely dedicated to these lessons.
The lessons have definitely not come easy though. I have made mistakes, I have stumbled, and I have even failed as a leader. But the main difference between being a leader and acting like one is learning from those mistakes. My father taught me that lessons and to this day it is the most important leadership lesson that I have learned. Frankly, it is even beyond this list which I complied. So below you will find them but listen to my explanation of them
My 35 Leadership lessons from 35 years of life
- Don’t judge by age
- The top doesn’t have to be lonely
- Accountability leads to increased morale
- Make professional development a priority
- Delegation is a super tool
- Get away from your desk
- Trust immediately
- Dream big
- The status quo is never an option
- Embrace change
- Love your people
- Be the calming force
- Communication is the end all be all
- Get or keep fit
- Take breaks
- Build close relationships
- Failures are your fault
- Success is because of your people
- Focus on what you can change
- Make yourself a priority
- Recognize the everyday
- Be vulnerable
- Question down
- Answer up
- Good leaders retain great people
- Not everyone will be happy
- Plan to quit
- Read more
- Explain decisions
- Support your peers and boss
- Recognize when to pick up tasks
- Respect is guaranteed
- Trust but verify
- Know your strengths and weaknesses
- Leadership is for everyone