How to Become a Leader Worth Following

What It Takes to Be a Better Leader—Every Single Day Leadership isn’t a title or a one-time achievement—it’s a daily practice. It’s the little things we do consistently that define us as leaders and inspire others to follow. The best leaders I’ve worked with—and aspired to be—live by a set of simple, powerful habits. Here are three to four things you can do every day to grow into the leader your team deserves: 1. Start the Day with Clarity Great leaders don’t stumble into their days—they own them. Take five minutes each morning to ask yourself: What’s the most important thing my team and I need to achieve today? How can I communicate that clearly? This daily reset helps you focus on what matters most and ensures your team is aligned. As John Maxwell says, “People don’t follow fuzzy.” 2. Listen Intentionally Leadership is about relationships, and relationships thrive on listening. Make it a point each day to have at least one meaningful conversation where you listen more than you speak. Whether it’s a quick chat with a team member or a deeper discussion about challenges, listening builds trust. It shows people that their voices matter. 3. Recognize Wins—Big and Small Leadership is about creating momentum, and momentum comes from celebrating progress. Take time every day to acknowledge a win—whether it’s a team milestone or an individual’s effort. Recognition doesn’t just motivate; it reinforces the behaviors you want to see repeated. Gallup research shows that recognition significantly boosts engagement【38†source】. 4. Reflect and Refine At the end of the day, ask yourself: What did I do well today as a leader? Where could I improve? Writing this down takes just a few minutes but provides invaluable insight over time. As one of my mentors told me, “The best leaders are the best learners.” Leadership is about constant refinement—not perfection. Final Thought: Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up, doing the work, and inspiring others to do the same. Start each day with clarity, listen with intent, celebrate progress, and reflect on your growth. Remember, the leader you are today is building the leader you’ll be tomorrow. What habits help you grow as a leader? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear them! #Leadership #Growth #Mindset #Teamwork

When I work with "new" leaders, one of the questions they frequently ask is for a "roadmap" or template of how they can be most successful. Of course there are a of possible answers. Frequently, folks say just be yourself. Don't try to become someone else, etc. I'm not sure that's 100% solid advice. Over the years I have come up with list (seems like it's always being updated) of ideas to become a better leader. 1️⃣ Understand Your Leadership Style Reflect on your strengths and areas for growth. A bit of EQ is critical here. Seek feedback from others to identify blind spots. Ask them directly for feedback. Create an easy forum to receive it. 2️⃣ Build Relationships with Your Team Take the time to learn about each team member’s skills, goals, and challenges. Schedule one-on-one meetings to establish trust and open communication. One-on-ones are a great tool. Use them regularly! 3️⃣ Set Clear Expectations and Communicate Them. Define roles, responsibilities, and performance standards. Communicate team goals and how they align with the organization’s vision. 4️⃣ Develop Active Listening Skills Practice empathetic listening to understand team concerns and ideas. Create a safe space for open dialogue and encourage diverse perspectives. 5️⃣ Lead by Example Model the behaviors, work ethic, and attitudes you expect from your team. Be transparent, accountable, and consistent in your actions. 6️⃣ Learn to Delegate Effectively (this is a true skill to be worked on always). Trust your team to handle responsibilities and empower them to take ownership. Focus on coaching and guiding rather than micromanaging. Micromanaging will be your kiss of death! 7️⃣ Foster a Culture of Feedback Give constructive feedback regularly and ask for feedback on your leadership. Celebrate successes and recognize team contributions. 8️⃣ Adapt to Change Be open to learning and pivoting as challenges arise. Stay informed about industry trends and how they might impact your team. 9️⃣ Invest in Personal Development Commit to continuous learning through books, training, or mentorship. Reflect on your leadership journey to evolve and improve. Network now. Don't wait to build relationships. 🔟 Focus on Building a Vision Inspire your team with a compelling vision for the future. Collaboratively create a roadmap to achieve team and organizational goals.

Leaders are not born — they are made. Anyone can become a leader —  Through intentional behavior and consistent self-awareness. Leadership isn’t about waiting for a title or promotion. It’s about how you show up every day, especially when no one is watching. That’s what I work on with clients inside coaching conversations: Shifting leadership from something you earn later… to something you embody now. Because once you start taking ownership — your title often catches up. Here are 8 behaviors that build real leadership, no matter your role: 1. Take initiative Step toward the problem, not away from it. 2. Stay accountable Own results even when circumstances shift. 3. Empower others Let go of control to unlock capability. 4. Communicate clearly Precision prevents problems. 5. Build trust Small, consistent actions matter most. 6. Model integrity Live the standard you expect from others. 7. Own mistakes Your humility earns more credibility than perfection ever could. 8. Lead by example Actions, not intentions, define your influence. Leadership doesn’t start with a title. It starts with a choice. What will you model today? If you’re ready to lead differently — with purpose, presence, and accountability — let’s talk.