How to Be Outstanding in Your Leadership

Being an outstanding leader is a combination of having the right skills, mindset, and behaviors. An outstanding leader is someone who can inspire, motivate and guide their team to achieve a common goal while fostering a positive and inclusive work environment. In this blog post, I will explore some of the key characteristics and behaviors that are essential for being an outstanding leader in 2023 and beyond.

An outstanding leader must possess excellent communication skills, which means you need to invest in this skill. They should be able to communicate their vision and goals clearly, concisely, and in a way that is easily understood by their team. They should also be able to listen actively and respond to the concerns and feedback of their team members. This will foster a culture of open communication and trust, which is essential for building a high-performing team. Think about times you may have done this.

Secondly, an outstanding leader must lead by example. They should act in a way that aligns with the values and principles of the organization and set a good example for others to follow. They should be willing to take the lead and be the first to step up in difficult situations. This will earn the respect and trust of their team members, and set the tone for a positive and productive work environment.

Thirdly, an outstanding leader must be able to inspire and motivate their team. They should have a clear and compelling vision and be able to inspire others to work together to achieve that vision. They should also be able to recognize and reward the contributions of team members and provide opportunities for growth and development. This will create a sense of purpose and belonging among team members and will keep them motivated. Recognize with frequency and publicly.

Fourthly, an outstanding leader must be able to lead with empathy and emotional intelligence. They should be able to understand and respond to the emotional needs of their team members, especially during difficult times. They should also be able to create a sense of community and connection among team members, even when they are working remotely or apart. This will foster a culture of trust, respect, and support, which is vital for the well-being of team members.

An outstanding leader must be able to think strategically and anticipate future trends and challenges. They should be able to make data-driven decisions and be able to adapt and adjust their strategies as needed. This will keep the organization competitive and prepare them for future challenges.

Being an outstanding leader requires a combination of skills, mindset, and behaviors. A leader who possesses excellent communication skills, leads by example, inspires and motivates their team, leads with empathy and emotional intelligence, and can think strategically will be able to guide their team to achieve the common goal while fostering a positive and inclusive work environment.

Best, 

Manal

Leadership is About Fundamentals

For leaders to be productive and satisfied professionally, they have to know what their fundamental responsibilities are. 

Peter Drucker says one of the more critical problems in the workforce today is the need for more understanding between the employer and the employees as to what the employee or emerging leader is to do. 

Ask yourself this question, have you ever been made to feel that you are vaguely responsible for everything? What this does to the person who is feeling responsible for everything is paralyze them. 

A great leader will always ensure that we are clear on what they are and are not responsible for. When we do so, they will be able to focus their attention and efforts on what is desired and they will succeed. 

Let’s take a moment and look at leadership like a game of basketball. Whether you have played basketball or not, doesn’t matter. 

A basketball team has five players. Each of them has a particular job to do on the team. There is a shooting guard and their job is to score points. The other guard is a point guard. Their job is to pass the ball to people who can score. Another player is the power forward who is expected to get rebounds. The small forward’s job is the score. The center is supposed to rebound, block shots, and score. Each person on the team knows what their job is. They know their unique contribution to the team. It is only when each member of the team focuses on their job that the team can win. 

Now let’s look at someone who doesn’t know what their job is on the team. It might appear as if there are 5 people on the court of life just running around, looking for small windows of opportunity to do the right things. Though some make it look effortless in achieving goals, really they just know the part they play on the team. 

Great leaders help their teams master the fundamentals. This starts with knowing exactly the role they are playing at the moment. 

Best, 

Manal

Having a Winning Attitude

The last of human freedoms is to choose one’s attitude in any given circumstance. - Victor Frankl

They say you are a result of your environment. Do you believe this is true? 

In my experience, we all become a result of the thinking, mannerisms, priorities, talk, and opinions that we are surrounded with. Perhaps you and your team exhibit similar traits, habits, and ways of thinking. 

Not only does who we associate with change our practices and ways of thinking - it can also change our everyday attitude. 

In our earlier years of life, our attitudes are determined by others. We don’t choose our family, where we live, how we believe, etc. We react to what we are taught. As we age, our choices become more voluntary as we can choose freely for ourselves and initiate our desires. That is where the power of choice comes into play. Having the ability to mold our thinking and having the choice to change or stay the same play a vital part in constructing your own attitude. 

I recommend an exercise to those that are wanting to ensure they have a winning attitude. 

Take a blank piece of paper and turn in a portrait. Draw a header row and create two columns. On the left side put the word Conditions. On the right side put the word choices. 

Then underneath the two columns, divide each of the two columns in half vertically. Put positive and negative under each column so it will look like this: 

Conditions

Positive and Negative on the left. 

Choices

Positive and Negative on the right. 

Then list the conditions that have had positive and negative influences in your life (like any situation you find yourself in today). You can choose to find the good in any and all circumstances if you look for it. 

You get to choose the attitude you have in any and all situations. Leaders have a winning attitude. 

Best, 

Manal