Lolly Daskal

What to Do When You Exceed Your Leadership Limits

Posted on 23. Aug, 2016 by lollydaskal.

Sooner or later, we all hit a wall. Do you know what you need to know to get through when you run up against the limits of your leadership?

As leaders, we know what we know. We have skills that we’ve mastered, talents we’ve cultivated, wisdom we’ve accumulated.

But what happens when the issues you face exceed the capacity of your skills, talent and wisdom? When you don’t know enough to know what to do, or even what your options are?

Do you hide it? Fake it till you make it? Wing it and hope for the best? Plenty of people make those choices—but there’s a better way, especially if you’re in a leadership position.

Here are some positive, realistic, helpful things you can do when you’ve reached your limits and you’re over your head.

1. Admit the truth. The first thing to do is actually something not to do: don’t hide your situation. Once you know the truth of it, admit. No one is perfect, and everyone reaches this point—but there’s a big difference between those who hide and those who don’t. Those who hide never grow; those who are unafraid to admit it are the ones who develop and grow. We fail to succeed. We lose to win. We learn to grow.

2. Rethink and reassess. Think about why and how you got to this point. What’s working? What’s not working? Where do you need the most help? What do you need to learn? What do you need to let go of, and what do you need to let in? If you can rethink and reassess your leadership, you can gain an opportunity for growth from even the worst situation. As you develop as a leader, don’t work to limit your challenges  but to challenge your limits.

3. Stop doing too much. If you think you need to know everything and do everything, then you are not delegating enough—you’re taking on too much responsibility, and most likely those you are leading wish you’d let them do their job so you can go on doing yours. Learn what it means to delegate more and know when to step in and when to step out. You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.

4. Seek out help and accept it. Even the most brilliant and clever people among us need help sometimes, and we can all benefit from having another set of ears and eyes to help us through difficult and challenging situations. Ask yourself who you can bring in as a coach, who would be an effective mentor, who you can include in your inner circle so you can easily seek help when you need support.

5. Stay human and humble. Allow those you lead to see that you are human. Lead with humility and grace. When you find things challenging, never stop looking for solutions. Leaders who act like they know it all are never impressive, but humanity and humility bring great benefits for you and those you lead. When we push ourselves past our limits, that is how we expand—and you will never know your limits until you push yourself to them.

Lead from within: For leaders there are no limits. There are no plateaus, and there is never a reason to be stagnant. Leaders are always moving forward. They must work on going beyond their limits, even when they think they have nothing left to give. As a leader it’s part of your role to be constantly working to know your limits—not so you can accept them but so you can surpass them.

Additional Reading:

Leadership: Challenges Can Help Us Learn And Grow
How to Become the Leader That People Want to Follow
Lead From Where You Are And With All That You Have
10 Tests Every Great Leader Must Pass

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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The Most Overlooked Habits of Great Leaders

Posted on 16. Aug, 2016 by lollydaskal.

There are a few habits that are frequently overlooked but that can make a difference between a good leader and a great one.

All leaders want to do better than just being good at what they do. They tend to share a passionate desire to be great.

To be a great leader, you have to be able to lead others purposefully, communicate effectively, deliver results successfully, and measure progress efficiently.

But there is more to great leadership than external success. From what I’ve seen, the secret lies not with particular actions or methodologies, but with internal habits that are often completely overlooked.

Here are the five of the most important.

1. Great leaders admit mistakes. No one wants to stand in front of people who look up to you and admit that you made a mistake or experienced an epic failure—when you know people trust you and count on you, it’s hard to say things that you know will let them down. That’s why so many leaders will do everything they can to cover up their failures. But great leaders do swallow their pride and admit their mistakes. They know the importance of taking responsibility  and they understand that the best way to salvage value from a disaster is to model integrity and face the consequences of their actions. The best leaders are humble enough to admit their mistakes and honorable enough to learn from them.

2. Great leaders give credit. It’s the flip side of taking responsibility for what goes wrong—giving credit for the things that go well. Egotistic leaders are quick to take credit for their team’s achievements, but when people stop feeling appreciated and recognized, their personal investment and care in their work begin to decline. Great leaders are quick to take the spotlight off themselves to express gratitude and appreciation to those around them whose hard work led to success.

3. Great leaders tell the truth. It’s always tempting to gloss over the differences that can lead to conflict or challenges, but great leaders understand that the experience of resolving those conflicts gives their team better communication skills and deeper connections. It also means that no one has to feel their concerns are off limits, leading to more transparency that benefits everyone. At the same time, great leaders know that honesty doesn’t have to be brutal or blunt, and they show their teams how to express honest thoughts in a spirit of respect and kindness.

4. Great leaders inspire. Being a leader means constantly having to solve problems, stave off challenges, develop compromises and find solutions. It can be easy to lose the forest of leadership for the trees of the day-to-day challenges. But finding the energy and time to inspire those around you is at the heart of great leadership. Leadership is about making other people better as a result of your presence in a way that continues to inspire them in your absence. At its best, it’s based not on domination but cooperation, not intimidation but inspiration.

5. Great leaders lead from within. Great leaders understand that their leadership begins with themselves. if you want to be a better leader, you need to first learn who you are. When you can understand yourself, you can understand others. Once you become a leader your focus naturally moves from developing yourself to developing others—but they are two sides of the same thing. When you lead from within, you improve yourself and your way of being, and in doing so you reach a new level of great leadership.

These five habits may not be on the top of anyone’s leadership list, but following them will bring you a leadership that’s genuine and authentic.

Lead From Within: Sometimes we get so busy with trying to be good that we forget we can be great.

Additional Reading:

Great Leaders Serve With Great Returns
Leadership Has To Be Earned
Leadership Rituals That Make Each Day Count
Leadership: Claim Your Calling
6 Lessons Every Great Leader Learns on the Job

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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We Are All Called to Serve

Posted on 09. Aug, 2016 by lollydaskal.

We know that life shouldn’t be just about making more money, buying a bigger home, or having a selection of cars in the garage. It may include those things, but it has to be about more. But what? I believe life is about a calling—a calling to serve.

People think that to be a leader you have to be promoted upward and have a high-level title. But it’s not about that, either. The only place to find your calling is to find it within. If you have a desire to serve, you are a leader.

Leaders are called to serve in these distinctive ways:

To serve our families. Make sure those you love know you’re there for them, even when they’re not there for you. If you are called to serve you show up with best of what you have to offer—and when it comes to serving our family, there’s no such thing as going too far.

To serve our communities. Do you volunteer, give back, pay it forward? Does your community know who you are and what you are willing to do for them? Many people, even leaders, are so busy with their own lives that they forget that leadership is a calling to serve those around you and beyond you. A significant part of your call to lead might be with your community, whether that means serving on city council or informally scheduling neighbors to check on an elderly neighbor who lives alone.

To serve our customers. Build a relationship with your customers and clients and serve them well. Work to understand their needs and then work to meet those needs. Treat them like family; care for them and serve them well. Customer loyalty is always priceless, so make your customers partners in your mission, and always give them more than they expect.

To serve our employees. Changing minds, moving hearts and inspiring lives require a deep commitment. Being called to serve as a boss or director isn’t an easy vocation. It asks you to be fully responsible for others, to consistently and continually demonstrate the highest commitment. Your interests lie in the interests of others, so serve the people who help you make an impact.

To serve from inside out. It’s an old-fashioned concept, a calling, but when you’re called, it really is something you feel inside. And when you’re called to serve in leadership you must under all circumstances and challenges hold yourself accountable for your own actions, making sure you follow through on your promises and your actions are consistent with your words. You either lead by example or not at all—and that means that what you practice on the outside comes from the inside. it comes from inside that is being practiced on the outside.

To serve up change. To have an impact, sometimes you have to initiate change and shake things up. At other times change is imposed from outside and it’s your role to take charge of change and help others navigate through it. Facing change as a leader in service requires a strong commitment and a belief that what you are doing is meaningful.

To serve the world. You don’t have to look to history to have an impact on the world—look within. What can you do, how will you influence, where will you make a difference? Those who are called to serve work to sustain hope for others. That’s a tall order in times like these, when our country and world are experiencing low levels of trust and high levels of cynicism. But don’t despair or be intimated by the challenges. All of us who are called to serve must keep hope alive; the antidote to the increasing cynicism and stresses of our times will come from the faith and hope we have in others as we serve them.

Leadership comes from inside of all of us but we each choose the quality and form of that service.

The choices you make and how you enlist your relationships with others will make the difference. If you are called to serve, embrace the opportunities and the responsibility that come with that calling, because it will make a profound difference in your own life and in the lives of others.

LEAD FROM WITHIN: The call to serve can come anytime, anywhere. Are you ready to lead and serve with all that you have from within?

Additional Reading:

• Let Your Leadership Speak For Itself
• Spend Your Time Feeding Your Soul
• Be Distinct: Find The Hero Within
• How to Become A Leader You Admire

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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The One Thing You’re Sure to Struggle With as a Leader

Posted on 02. Aug, 2016 by lollydaskal.

Leaders face a lot of issues but one thing they will struggle with is sometimes staying positive.

Being a leader is all about balance. You have to be mindful and quick, slow and steady, take risks, have vision, listen but speak, know but question—and do it all with grace.

It goes without saying that challenges come with the territory. One of the most overwhelming, for many leaders, is the struggle to stay positive in the face of a demanding position. Fighting negativity is a distraction that keeps lots of leaders from their best work.

How can you stay positive in a negative world?

Here are some strategies that have worked for others:

Let go of perfectionism. The worst thing you can do for yourself is get stuck in the mindset that things need to be perfect. The best leaders, those who are most successful, know that nothing is every perfect, and if we expect perfection we’re setting ourselves up for failure. Focus on being positive instead of being perfect.

Create an inner circle of positive people. Leadership can mean being in a lonely position, but having good people around you—trusted souls you can talk to and lean in to, people who will help you find positive solutions—is one of the best gifts you can give yourself.

Healthy body, happy mind, happier heart. The best way to keep yourself from drowning when everything around you seems to be sinking is to keep your body healthy and your thoughts happy. It’s easy to be become bogged down when you’re surrounded by negativity; it takes energy and good health to keep on top of mind, body, and spirit.

Give more to stay positive. No one remains unhappy by giving. Challenging yourself to give more may seem like the last thing you would think to do when things are tough, but the more you give, the happier you will be—whether it’s the worst of times or the best of times. Giving has a way of canceling out the worst days, the biggest challenges, and the most arduous circumstances.

Make a plan and set goals. The worst thing you can do when everything around you is overwhelming is to flail around and respond to circumstances as they happen without a governing strategy. Instead, create a plan and start setting goals. Simply having a goal to work toward can create positive energy. Start small and keep a steady focus on moving forward and accomplishing great things.

Encourage others to get through the tough stuff. Studies show that making other people happy is a significant source of happiness. If you can stay focused on empowering and motivating others, you can feel good about yourself and be strong when things are not going so well. It’s a win-win.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. What’s big today can be small tomorrow; what’s urgent today may find a way of working itself out. When everything around you is falling apart and it’s hard to stay positive, remind yourself how the big stuff can become small stuff and small stuff can become insignificant.

Remember that this too shall pass. As we know, everything changes—nothing is ever the same, everything is always evolving and changing. So when times are really tough and you find yourself being pulled down into negativity, remind yourself that this too shall pass. Keep your wits about you and try to stay positive, because the solution you need may be right around the corner.

You don’t have to do it alone. Get the help and support you need by sharing your issues with someone who’s been there or who has the skills to help you navigate through the tough times. Things quickly become overwhelming when you feel you have to do everything yourself and keep things bottled up inside. But if you can share your hardships and challenges and find someone to support you, that simple change can shift your thinking and help bring solutions within reach.

Lead From Within:  To find the balance, the stamina, the solutions you need, remember that the first step is always the same: Stay positive.

Additional Reading:

The Wisdom Of Whole Hearted Leading
Leadership Rituals That Make Each Day Count
12 Habits for Building Leadership Presence
The Art Of Leadership Is Not Without Struggle

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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The Test Every Great Leader Must Pass

Posted on 26. Jul, 2016 by lollydaskal.

Are you a good leader? A great leader? How can you even know? You can take the test……..

Most leaders are too busy to spend much time reflecting on that question, but it really is important to check in once in a while—especially if results, achievement and excellence are important to you. Whether you’re a CEO, a vice president, director, team leader, neighborhood association leader, or parent, you can become a much more effective leader if you keep yourself on track. Take the test:

Do you have concise and compelling vision?
A great leader has the capacity to create a compelling vision and translate it into reality. When your vision is clear and understandable, it inspires others to help make it happen. Is your vision clear? Do others understand it? Have you inspired them to help you transform it into reality?

Have you identified your role and responsibilities?
Leadership isn’t earned by a title or position, but great leaders need to understand the scope and boundaries of their responsibilities. Too many roles are ill-defined, leading to confusion, but it’s a clearly defined role and responsibilities that allow you to take effective action and be held accountable for results.

Do you have strategies and goals?
Having a vision and taking responsibility are important to leadership, but not much can get accomplished without a strategy or goals. Goals define results and let everyone know in concrete terms what they’re working toward—and when they’ve successfully achieved it.

Are you decisive in solving critical challenges?
You don’t always have the time to make a perfect decision; in today’s fast-paced world, lengthy deliberation and debate are luxuries. In the middle of a situation, you have to be confident enough to quickly evaluate the situation and take an action that has a high probability of success. Great leaders know how to make decisions of all types. They know when to take the time to use analytical and thorough decision-making processes. They know when to engage the whole team, and when to make decisions on their own.

Do you communicate often and with clarity?
At its heart, communication is the real work of leadership. Because everyone hears things in different ways, it is up to leader to communicate frequently and honestly, with openness and a commitment to listening as well as being heard. Your words have great power, so use them to inspire and support others.

Do you lead with positivity and enthusiasm?
A leader’s attitude, negative or positive, is contagious. The best leaders go out of their way to stay positive even in negative and challenging times—and that positivity, spread among the entire team, has the power to create better outcomes. Are you as positive and enthusiastic as you would like it to be?

Do you work on developing others?
Once you become a leader, your focus moves from your own development to helping others grow. When you do, you not only build a stronger team, but you communicate to members how much you value them. True leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.

Do you treat failure as a teacher?
We all make mistakes, and we all have failures. But it’s when you can turn those failures into learning experiences that you move closer to success. Failure in leadership doesn’t mean the game is over—it means it’s time to try again, with more experience. Remember, failure is not the opposite of success; it’s part of success.

Do you show appreciation to others?
Appreciation is the best way of bringing out excellence in others. It builds loyalty and creates momentum for the entire team. Those who feel appreciated will always outperform those who don’t.

Do you lead by example?
When you’re a leader, your words, your actions, your behavior are all being watched. People may doubt what you say but they will always believe what you do, so make sure your actions follow your words. Are you leading by example? People have to be motivated to follow you before they will care about your vision.

How did you score? There are no winners and losers here, but look at each point that tripped you up and begin

Lead From Within: We don’t know who we are until we see what we can do.

Additional Reading:

Lead By Example Others Will Follow
Let Your Leadership Speak For Itself
The Wisdom Of Whole Hearted Leading
Codes Of Conduct To Lead

Photo Credit: Lolly Daskal

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How to Watch Out for Blind Spots in Your Leadership

Posted on 19. Jul, 2016 by lollydaskal.

It’s the tricky thing about blind spots: Everybody has them, but often we don’t even know they exist until they cause a problem.

All of us have blind spots, and most of us at some point have made a bad decision because of them. But when a leader has a blind spot, the repercussions spread to include the entire organization—and sometimes even its stakeholders and customers.

In essence, a blind spot is not knowing what you don’t see. Blind spots can take many forms, from refusing to accommodate new workplace realities or technologies to, at their worst, racial and ethnic prejudice. The most dangerous blind spots are the ones we aren’t even aware of.

Many leaders also have internalized blind spots, in which the view of who you are doesn’t align with what others experience from you. Good leaders are always working to improve their self-awareness, but unfortunately many are better at managing strategy than at looking inward.

Here are four of the most common internalized blind spots to check yourself against.

1. Inflated ego. The greatest enemy of any leader—or anyone, for that matter—is thinking they can never make a mistake, that they know better than anyone else, that their title and achievements set them apart. Leaders with inflated egos make everything they do about themselves, and at the extreme they surround themselves with synchopants who agree with every misperception and validate their ego every day. An overgrown ego makes it impossible to maintain the kind of relationships that are at the core of leadership. It eventually leads to its own downfall, sometimes taking the entire organization with it.

2. Lack of character. Leadership cannot exist in the absence of character. Leaders need to constantly check and, if needed, realign themselves with the values and beliefs that form the foundation of who they are. Issues of character affect your choices and actions, leading to unethical or unsustainable decisions, and a refusal to own or repair mistakes.

3. Scarcity of confidence. When leaders aren’t able to perceive their own value and abilities, it keeps them and their organizations from achieving all that they’re capable of. The blind spot of self-doubt persuades leaders to avoid bold decisions and focus on less important issues or even to spend their time chasing distractions. The side effects are difficult and damaging.

4. Low accountability. Leaders must be perceived as reliable and steady, and any unwillingness to be accountable costs their leadership credibility. The root of the word credibility is credere, which means “believe” in Latin. Put plainly, credibility is the feeling of trust and loyalty that leaders inspire in others, and without that credibility there can be no leadership.

LEAD FROM WITHIN: Your blind spots may be entirely different—the important thing is to watch for them with vigilance and keep your thinking as flexible and open as possible.

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7 Secrets First-Time Leaders Want to Know

Posted on 12. Jul, 2016 by lollydaskal.

The art of leadership can be defined in many ways. There are probably as many definitions of leadership as there are leaders, and each person brings their style of leadership, which is part of what makes it such a dynamic and interesting field. But at some point, most of them say, “I had no idea it would be this way.”

Some even complain that they came unprepared for their roles because schools of management and leadership did not give them the skills they needed to succeed as leaders.

So here are some lessons in Leadership 101:

1. Your character is more important than your competency. More than anything else, you want to be known as a leader who is ethical, honest and trustworthy. It’s important for leaders to be competent and skilled, but that’s not the source of great leadership. It’s your character as a leader that matters most—not only to your team, organization, or venture but also to the world. Without trust, all the competency in the world is meaningless.

2. Your insistence on excellence will be measured daily. As a leader, your standard of leading and doing and acting will be measured daily. Part of the calling of leadership is a commitment to live your life with the highest standards. Excellence matters. It’s a question you have to ask yourself every day: Did I deliver excellence or did I cut corners? Excellence is ultimate measure of success, especially in leadership.

3. Your communication will be welcomed and scrutinized. The finest expression of respect is not praise or status but the willingness to communicate candidly and honestly. It is important to share information, and it will be welcomed when you do. But you’ll also be scrutinized—on how you speak and how you listen. Make sure you communicate in a way that leaves people feeling valued and understood.

4. Your leadership style will be emulated and criticized. As much as possible, don’t give others cause to condemn or find fault with your life and leadership but make your legacy one that inspires others to live their lives authentically and well. Remember, everything you do as a leader sets an example, so be sure the example you are setting is one you want to see throughout your organization.

5. Accountability and responsibility are an irresistible force. The price of great leadership is accountability and responsibility. Their combined force has the power to change the face of people and circumstances. The remarkable thing is that you have a choice every day about how we conduct yourself. Always make those choices on the basis of what is best for the organization. Let people know they can count on you.

6. Developing others is as important as developing yourself. The most important responsibility of a leader is helping their people develop; your success depends on how well you perform this task. Make employee development an important priority by creating a climate in your organization or team where personal growth is expected and rewarded. Great leadership consists of showing good people how to do the work of great people.

7. You need to bring plenty of confidence and courage. Leadership is not easy. There are many challenges, and you will need to be decisive and confident. But you’ll also need to be able to put yourself on the line. The burden of decision making belongs to the leader, and the key to leadership is having the confidence to be decisive. The other essential quality—and the two are closely related—is courage. Successful leaders have the courage to take action where others hesitate.

Especially if you’re starting out, these elements will make the difference between being a good leader and a great leader. Take them to heart just as the most successful leaders do.

Lead From Within: The secret for the first time leader, is knowing that nothing will work until they do.

Let Your Leadership Speak For Itself
How to Become A Leader You Admire
Lead By Example Others Will Follow
Your Leadership Motivation Starts Within

Photo: Getty Images

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Why The Empathetic Leader Is the Best Leader

Posted on 05. Jul, 2016 by lollydaskal.

You may be wondering why is the empathetic leader the best leader?

Empathy is a leadership competency – like no other skill- that can make a big difference when it comes to leadership.

Empathy means being able to understand the needs of others. It means you’re aware of their feelings and their thinking.

It doesn’t mean you have to agree with their point of view, but- it means  that you’re willing to understand and appreciate it.

Many people are quick to empathy as a touchy-feely skill. But in truth, it can be difficult to master and demanding to maintain, and it has major impact on leadership.

At the core leadership is ultimately about others. It means inspiring them to take actions beyond their capabilities, leading them in a direction that is compelling and inspiring. And empathy is the foundation of those actions.

Here are six simple ways that empathy can make you into the best leader you can be:

1. Empathy creates bonds. When you care about another, you create a strong bond. You are better able to connect and understand their interests and perspective. Imagine the power of your teams, your business, your leadership with the bonds between them strengthened by empathy.

2. Empathy gives insight. It’s important to remember that the story we tell in our minds is different from the story playing in the minds of others. It is only through listening intently to others that you can begin to understand these differences. When you listen you learn, and when you learn you gain insight. There is a story behind every person, a reason why they are the way they are. Empathy allows you to think before you judge and make assumptions.

3. Empathy teaches presence:  Empathy means listening attentively, putting your complete focus on the person in front of you without becoming distracted. As a leader you are present to listen, understand, assist, and support, not to advise or fix or reply but simply to be. Being present means allowing others to have their moment, and it teaches us as leaders to be patient. It means putting others ahead of yourself—which in today’s competitive workplace can be challenging.

4. Empathy guides understanding:  It’s not always easy to understand why someone feels or thinks the way they do. People often react in ways that are surprising, and it may leave you clueless about how to respond. But with empathy in your leadership toolkit, you don’t have to worry how to respond, because the goal is not to respond but to listen, not to reply but to understand. Empathy allows you to understand others without passing judgment or making assumptions.

5. Empathy sharpens people skills. Demonstrating empathy is hard; it takes time and effort to show awareness and understanding. When it comes to building teams and earning trust, you have to take an interest in people, to show you care. You have to show curiosity by asking questions about their challenges, their families, and their aspirations. When you do, you build empathy—and you sharpen your people skills.

6. Empathy cultivates better communicator. When you’re acting in empathy, you listen in a way that makes other people want to speak to you, and communicate in way that makes people feel safe to talk to you. To effectively communicate means realizing and acknowledging the differences in the choices we make and in the way we perceive the world, and then using this understanding to guide your communications with others.

At the end, empathy is a leadership capability that is well worth cultivating, a soft skill that leads to hard, tangible results.

Lead From Within: What’s empathy have to do with leadership. Everything. Because leadership is about having the ability to relate and connect and listen and bond with people for the purpose of inspiring and empowering their lives.

Articles you might be interested in:

It Takes Each Of Us To Make A Difference For All Of Us
How to Become A Leader You Admire
12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves
Lead By Example Others Will Follow
Codes Of Conduct To Lead

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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17 Ways to Be A Leader Even If You Are Not In Charge

Posted on 28. Jun, 2016 by lollydaskal.

Leaders are everywhere—you don’t need to have a title or a position to be a leader.

What makes you a leader is defined not by your role but by who you are. You don’t need to be the boss to be in charge. A leader can be anyone, despite their title or tenure, regardless of their position or power.

Here are 17 actions and traits that make up the core of leadership. If you have them–You are a leader. If you don’t, and you want to lead, start today to cultivate these habits.

1. You keep raising your own standards. If you’re always doing better, doing more, and working with excellence, you are a leader.

2. You offer solutions instead of concentrating on problems. If you’re known as a problem solver or someone who brings ideas to make things better, you are a leader

3. You share what you know. If you believe in helping others do their best by making sure they have all available information, you are a leader.

4. You are an effective communicator. If you’re a clear, concise communicator, you listen to learn, and people are drawn to what you say and how you say it, you are a leader.

5. You are a connector. If you like to connect with other people and connect other people with each other because you understand that leadership is about relationships, you are a leader.

6. You have a voice. If you have a distinct voice, one that defends values and purpose and inspires others to follow, you are a leader.

7. You seek to collaborate and contribute. If what you do is about facilitating contribution by leveraging collaboration and you seek to contribute to change, you are a leader.

8. You know how to stay calm in the storm. If everyone around you is in panic, stressing out and spinning their wheels, but you know how to stay calm and be resilient when things are tough, you are a leader.

9. You are first on board. If you take risks and make bold moves by being the first on board, you are a leader

10. You have earned respect. If people respect you enough that you’re in a great position to influence others, you are a leader.

11. You don’t take things personally. If you can be the kind of person who doesn’t take things personally, if you respond rationally rather than emotionally when you don’t like someone’s tone or words, you are a leader.

12. You are trusted. If people trust you, that means you are known for doing the right thing the right way. When you do, you have impact and you are a leader.

13. You don’t gossip. If you hold yourself to never speaking ill of others, to their face or behind their back, you are exceptional—and you are a leader.

14. You harness positivity. If you are the kind of person who sees the bright side of things and finds positivity in what they do, you will have people aligned with you—and you are a leader.

15. You exhibit confidence. If you exhibit confidence (whether you feel it or not) that keeps you at the front of the pack, you are a leader.

16. You give credit to others. If you work with others and you openly thank them and recognize their contributions, you are a leader.

17. You set the example. If you make yourself accountable for your actions and how you behave, your actions will always matter, because you are a leader.

Lead From Within: It really doesn’t take a fancy title or important responsibilities to be a leader. All you have to do is lead wherever you are with whomever you encounter.

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Optimism: The Secret Of Great Leadership

Posted on 21. Jun, 2016 by lollydaskal.

If you’re looking for powerful fuel for your leadership, look at optimism.

Winston Churchill used to say “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Maybe that’s why optimistic leaders are usually more successful than pessimists.

When you’re a pessimist, everything is about failure, anxiety, and problems. Bu when you’re optimistic you can be someone who continually improves and moves forward.

Even if you’re not among the lucky people for whom optimism comes naturally, you’ll discover it’s is an attitude that can be learned and practiced. Here are some strategies to consider to foster optimism in yourself and those around you:

1. Go for the gold. Celebrate your strengths and talent instead of concentrating on your weaknesses. Focus on what you do well and what you are good at. Don’t be down on yourself for everything you aren’t; instead, start loving yourself for everything you already are.

2. Get out of your comfort zone. Cultivate unpremeditated and unrehearsed actions, and encourage yourself to do things that are impulsive and impromptu. Especially if you are a creature of habit, push yourself to the edge of your comfort zone. Uncalculated action builds your optimistic muscle—when you stop doing what you have always done, you get new results.

3. Look for the proverbial silver lining. Learn to rethink every challenge and every adversity and always look for the gift. Try to look at situations that trigger your negativity as opportunities to learn. Teach yourself whatever discipline it takes to redirect your reaction into positivity.

4. Avoid negativity altogether. That means doing what you can to avoid negative environments, people, and circumstances. It won’t be easy, but make a true effort. If you know someone to be a complainer, do everything you can to keep your distance.

5. Nurture your well-being. Do what you can to surround yourself with positive messaging on a daily basis. Watch inspirational videos, read motivational blogs, biographies—whatever it is that inspires you and nurtures you.

6. Visualize the winner within. Every success starts within. If you don’t see yourself as a winner, then you can’t perform as one. The biggest challenge in any situation is to stay positive in a world that is filled with negativity.

7. Focus beyond yourself. If you know you have a tendency to be negative, do what you can to focus on something beyond yourself. Try to step outside of yourself, beyond the circumstances and situation, and past your pessimism.

8. Remember that happier equals healthier. There is evidence that the immune systems of optimistic people are stronger than those of pessimists. Stay positive and you may be able to enjoy better health.

9. Engage in daily positive mantras. If you have a tendency to talk to yourself in a negative way, change it up and give yourself a positive mantra. Try telling yourself, This will go right because I worked hard and this time I will succeed. Simple positive affirmations can have a positive effect on your mindset.

10. Be in control of what you can control. When faced with challenges, failures, adversity, recognize what you can change and proactively try to find ways to do something about it. Control the things you can control. Incredible things happen when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t.

Lead from within: Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of  true progress and great leadership.

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