RULES FOR BEINGA
GREAT LEADER
⊡ Listen to your team⊡ Rule one. Always listen to what your team has to
say, even if you don’t like it.
1
Make your expectations and feelings clear, in the appropriate medium as often
as possible.
Communicate as efficiently as possible
2
Sometimes saying nothing is better than saying just anything.
3
Talk less
Be an exampleBe the type of person you want your team members to
be.
4
If you aren’t passionate about your business, you’re in the wrong business.
Be passionate
5
Be consistent in your behaviours so your team knows what to expect from you.
6
Be consistent
Make firm decisionsDon’t leave things undecided for long, and don’t waver
about a decision once you’ve made it.
7
Find people you can look up to and learn from, and follow them closely.
Identify mentors and role models
8
If you trust your team to do good work, don’t interfere unless absolutely necessary.
9
Interfere only when necessary
Know your limitsDon’t extend yourself beyond your means.
10
If you’re good at resolving disputes, step in and resolve them as often as possible.
Know your strengths
11
If there’s something you’re not good at, admit it, and work on it.
12
Know your weaknesses
Don’t make excusesIf you make a mistake, take ownership of it and don’t
pass the blame to someone or something else.
13
You can’t control or predict everything.
Accept the unforeseen
14
Work only with people you can count on and trust.
15
Choose your partners carefully
Do goodCommit yourself to being a good person and giving
back to the community when possible.
16
Take every opportunity to expand your network and expose yourself to new
experiences and perspectives.
Meet new people all the time
17
Don’t be a robot -- let yourself feel.
18
Stay in touch with your emotions
Temper your reactionsHold back your reactions until you have a moment to
clarify your internal thoughts and feelings.
19
Take the time to have fun with your team.
Have fun
20
Before making a decision, know the pros and cons -- do your homework.
21
Research everything
Think everything throughNever exclusively trust your instincts or first reactions.
22
Hire only those you can trust to get the job done (and to get along with others, as
well).
Choose your team carefully
23
Your team is everything. Give them whatever they need to succeed.
24
Prioritize your team
Be humbleDon’t get big-headed about your wealth, influence or
position as a leader.
25
Everyone makes them.Forgive mistakes
26
Don’t beat yourself up too much over anything. Move on.
27
Forgive yourself
Be rationalMake decisions logically.
28
Listen to dissenting opinions, and be fair.
Be reasonable
29
There’s no such thing as “not having time” for what’s really important in your life. Make the time.
30
Make time for what’s important
Constantly learnRead as much as you can, and take classes whenever
you have the opportunity.
31
Work on improving your approaches, your skills and your processes constantly.
Improve everything
32
Don’t throw in the towel when a little extra persistence could put you over the edge.
33
Never give up
Transform your methods when necessaryIf something isn’t working, change your approach.
34
If you’re fighting a losing battle, retreat and start again somewhere else (or in a
new way).
Cut your losses when necessary
35
Try not to make the same mistakes twice.
36
Learn from your mistakes
Ground everything with dataBack up all your decisions, opinions and thoughts with
hard, objective facts and evidence.
37
Stress is real and can interfere with your ability to lead. If it starts setting in at abnormal levels, take action to reduce or
relieve it.
Don’t ignore signs of stress
38
Let your team know what they’re doing well and what needs further improvement.
39
Give feedback
Trust, but verifyTrust your team to get things done, but always follow
up to make sure the work is completed.
40
Let people know they can trust you, and open your door to anybody who needs it.
Be approachable
41
Don’t play favorites; it breeds resentment and makes you appear immature as a leader.
42
Treat everyone equally
Don’t pursue close personal relationships with the team
Be on friendly terms, but don’t try to be best friends with everybody. You’re a leader, first and foremost.
43
Use team-building exercises or other excuses to get your team members talking with one other and having fun together.
Get the team together
44
If someone helps you, make it your responsibility to pay back the favor -- even if it’s years later.
45
Return favors
Don’t burn bridgesNever cut a contact completely out of your life.
46
If team members leave or change roles, stay in contact with them.
Stay in touch
47
Your personal life is necessary to retain your own mental health. Never sacrifice it for the sake of leadership or professional
responsibilities.
48
Don’t sacrifice your personal life
Enjoy leadershipTry not to stress too much about being a leader.
Instead, enjoy all the benefits it offers.
49
Even with these 50 rules! Because nobody knows everything, and no one piece of advice applies to all situations.
Take advice with a grain of salt
50
Follow these rules, trust your instincts and continually strive for self-improvement.
Eventually, through your experiences and your efforts, you’ll become the type of leader most
people only aspire to be.