Are Self-Aware and Self-Accepting: Leaders work actively to build their own unique and differentiated personal brand. They are comfortable in their own skin and are willing to stand out.
Are Authentic, Transparent, and Worthy of the Trust Others Have In Them: Leaders build loyalty and trust by consistently delivering on their promises. They do what they say they are going to do, and they make no bones about it, either through false modesty or by bragging. What people see in them is real, matter-of-fact, and is not hidden away.
Build Relationships: Leaders focus on people, not results—influence, not control. They focus on all the stakeholders they need in order to realize their vision. They know who their stakeholders are and spend most of their time with them. Leaders know that people who work with them have the answers or are able to find them.
Empower Others: Leaders see their people as competent and are optimistic about their potential. They resist the temptation to tell their people what to do and how to do it. Leaders take a great deal of interest in their followers’ success, enabling them to reach their goals to satisfaction—regardless of whether those goals are individual or organizational.
Build a Following: Leaders have people who go beyond following them. Their followers become their raving fans and fervent promoters—helping them build their brand and achieve their goals.
Inspire Others: Leaders have a passion for what they are doing and instill that passion in others.
Communicate Inclusively: Leaders keep others informed and help them feel like they are in the loop and part of the vision. They show people how they can be part of something bigger.
Grace had included only one question and a comment at the bottom:
Now read through it again and tell me—what does a leader do that you haven’t already been doing in your life?
I expect you know the answer as well as I do if you’re brave enough to say it. There is nothing you need to do or become that is different from what you already do and what you already are.
If you ever need anything, please ask. If you ever have an idea or a thought you think I or our companies could benefit from, contact me.
Grace
The last part was huge. Grace Davenport was a titan in the business world. There was no way I would lose her number.
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Lisa had picked a little Italian restaurant for dinner tonight. The server recommended Saltimbocca alla Romana, a chicken breast that has been deboned, butterflied, and pounded out to make it even. Then they roll it up around a prosciutto stuffing and fry it in butter to get the outside browned. They season them, add white wine to the pan, and finish it off in the oven.
As I savored the Italian deliciousness, Lisa decided it was time for us to have a talk.
“When will we be able to go out on a Saturday night?”
