The Most Excellent Way to Lead

1. Leadership by love is the most excellent way to lead

The most excellent way to lead has nothing to do with the number of followers you have on social media or how big your office is or how much money you get paid. True leadership is about living for something greater than yourself.

Love-based leadership is countercultural but highly effective. It focuses on the well-being and growth of those being led rather than personal gain or recognition. This approach creates a positive environment where people feel valued and motivated to excel.

Key aspects of love-based leadership:

• Prioritizing the development of team members
• Creating a culture of trust and mutual respect
• Balancing compassion with accountability
• Leading by example and serving others

Love-based leadership doesn't mean avoiding tough decisions or confrontations. Instead, it means approaching these situations with empathy and a genuine desire for the best outcome for all involved.

2. Patience and kindness are essential leadership qualities

Patience isn't something most of us are born with, and it doesn't come automatically the moment we get a new title or take on a leadership position. However, the good news is that patience can be developed over time.

Developing patience is crucial for effective leadership. It allows leaders to navigate challenges without losing composure and to give team members the time and support they need to grow.

Ways to cultivate patience and kindness:

• Practice active listening
• Seek to understand before reacting
• Offer constructive feedback instead of criticism
• Celebrate small victories and progress

Kindness in leadership doesn't mean being a pushover. It means treating others with respect and consideration while still maintaining high standards and expectations. Kind leaders create an environment where people feel safe to take risks and learn from mistakes.

3. Envy and boasting hinder effective leadership

If we allow the voices of those who know us the least to shape us the most, we are in serious trouble.

Overcoming envy is essential for leaders to maintain focus and foster a collaborative environment. Envy can lead to destructive competition and undermine team cohesion.

Strategies to combat envy and boasting:

• Celebrate the successes of others genuinely
• Focus on personal growth rather than comparison
• Encourage a culture of shared success
• Practice gratitude for your own achievements and opportunities

Boasting, while tempting, can alienate team members and create an atmosphere of distrust. Instead, leaders should let their actions and results speak for themselves, giving credit to the team for successes and taking responsibility for failures.

4. Humility and honoring others are crucial for great leaders

Don't let your pride keep you from learning from people who are smarter than you.

Cultivating humility allows leaders to remain open to new ideas and perspectives, fostering innovation and growth within their organizations. Humble leaders are more approachable and better able to build strong relationships with their team members.

Ways to demonstrate humility and honor others:

• Seek and value input from all team members
• Admit mistakes and learn from them
• Give credit where it's due
• Show appreciation for others' contributions

Honoring others means recognizing and valuing the unique strengths and contributions of each team member. This creates a culture of mutual respect and encourages everyone to bring their best selves to work.

5. Leaders must avoid self-seeking behavior and anger

If we aren't careful, we can become so busy doing leadership-type activities that we're no longer effective in our leading.

Avoiding self-seeking behavior is crucial for maintaining trust and respect within a team. Leaders who prioritize their own interests over those of the organization or team members quickly lose credibility and effectiveness.

Strategies to combat self-seeking behavior and manage anger:

• Regularly reflect on motivations and decisions
• Seek feedback from trusted advisors
• Practice empathy and perspective-taking
• Develop healthy stress-management techniques

Anger, while a natural emotion, can be destructive when not managed properly. Leaders should strive to respond to challenges with composure and clarity, addressing issues constructively rather than reactively.

6. Excellent leaders keep no record of wrongs and do not delight in evil

Excellent leaders don't use someone's past to attack their future. Instead of keeping a record of wrongs, they forgive and then find a constructive way forward.

Practicing forgiveness in leadership creates an environment of growth and second chances. It allows team members to learn from mistakes without fear of permanent judgment.

Ways to implement forgiveness and avoid delighting in evil:

• Address issues promptly and directly
• Focus on solutions rather than blame
• Encourage a culture of learning from mistakes
• Celebrate progress and improvement

Avoiding delight in evil means resisting the temptation to gossip, spread negative information, or take pleasure in others' failures. Instead, leaders should focus on building up their team members and fostering a positive, supportive environment.

7. Trust, hope, and protection are pillars of outstanding leadership

When we learn to trust the people who serve with us, our vision has the potential to grow beyond us.

Building trust is fundamental to effective leadership. It allows for delegation, empowerment, and the full utilization of team members' strengths.

Key elements of trust-based leadership:

• Clear communication of expectations
• Consistent follow-through on commitments
• Transparency in decision-making
• Empowering team members to take ownership

Hope is the fuel that drives vision and motivates teams to persevere through challenges. Leaders must cultivate and maintain hope, even in difficult times, to inspire and guide their teams.

Protection in leadership means creating a safe environment for team members to take risks, voice opinions, and contribute fully. This involves standing up for team members when necessary and shielding them from unnecessary stress or interference.

Last updated: November 2, 2024