Follow the Leader

When entering the professional world, I think there’s always some level of belief that you’re lucky to have made it to this point. I can still remember where I was when I got the phone call that I received my first coaching job. I didn’t care where it was, I only knew that I wanted to learn, I wanted to be great, and I wanted to be around phenomenal people. To this day, I am thankful that my first true work experience was exactly that—I was able to establish a good foundation of a healthy work culture and see the traits of a great leader.

Throughout my professional career I’ve also worked with some not-so-great leaders, as I’m sure you have too.

I’ve always wondered why some leaders are so magnetic that we find ourselves following them without hesitation, while others have the title but not the trust.

What I’ve noticed over time is that the best leaders can get others on board by creating something that people want to be a part of.

What draws you to them? They know who they are. They don’t reintroduce themselves to you every day, they are consistent in their values and their vision. As much as they focus on building great teams, they do an exceptional job of building belief.

There are two very important points I’d like to make for all of you today. Culture, and traits.

I get asked a lot, how do I know if I’m on the right path in my career?

If you’re thinking about making a career change, starting your career, or if you’re currently in a leadership position and you’re wondering how to be better in this space keep reading.

Culture has the tendency to do one of two things: It draws people in, or it pushes them out. When leaders create cultures of purpose, belonging, and consistency, this is something that other people want to commit to.

However, when culture involves fear, confusion, conflict, and control, this causes others to hesitate.

So, what traits do great leaders have? Well…there’s a lot! But for today, I’ll list the following three:

They have a set of values:

They have a moral compass, and their values are obvious through their actions. People don’t have to guess who they are.

They are trustworthy:

They show up—not just in big moments, but in small moments that matter. They can admit mistakes and they model accountability.

They have empathy:

They listen before they speak. They create connection and lead with both strength and compassion.

For reflection this week, think about these questions:

What kind of culture am I creating?

Am I a person who leads with authority or alignment?

Does my leadership draw people closer, or make them cautious?

As always, I hope you have a fantastic week and I am wishing you the best.