Imagine entering a room. People’s focus changes, but not because they’re scared—because they appreciate you. A title or nice business card won’t make that happen. Being present, not being in a position, is what makes a leader effective. Long after you depart, people will remember how you made them feel. It’s the sound of a strong conversation or the surprise support you get when things are tough. Get in touch with Reza Satchu family!
Let’s get rid of the business talk. Leaders don’t have to yell orders from the top of a mountain. They are in the trenches, sleeves rolled up, ready to fail and joke about it afterward. It’s strong to say, “I don’t know everything.” Teams can see whether someone is being honest faster than any memo written in a corner office.
People don’t say this enough: being a leader is hard. It implies getting involved in arguments and clearing up misunderstandings before they get worse. One minute you’re the captain of the ship, and the next you’re the plumber patching leaks you didn’t know were there. Leaders that have an impact can change their headwear without thinking.
People don’t give enough credit to empathy, and they often don’t get it right. You want to attain your company goals, but you should stop and ask, “How are you doing?” That question lets you in. At one point, a team member didn’t say anything at most sessions. One day, I took her aside, disregarded the schedule, and just asked her what she needed. That short talk led to better ideas and a coworker who trusted me enough to share the truth, even when I made a mistake.
Change is like a train that never stops. Leaders who make a difference don’t stick to tradition just because it’s easier. Instead, they welcome discomfort, see mistakes as necessary steps toward progress, and sometimes invite the unexpected guest to dinner.
Vision is important, but action, no matter how great or small, has an effect. It could mean going against the grain or celebrating small victories when everyone else is looking at the score. I once praised a team for cutting two minutes off a task. It didn’t influence the direction of the company, but it did impact the mood in the room. Sometimes, one small spark can start a big fire.
Long, wordy emails aren’t what communication is all about. It’s more about being clear, timing, and listening than talking. I messed up a large presentation once. I didn’t try to fix things; instead, I told the group what happened. There was laughter, some good ideas came up, and all of a sudden, no one was scared to pitch in. The finest leaders ask for honest feedback and don’t shy away from it.
Keep in mind that good leadership is like growing trees that will give you shade but never let you sit under them. You don’t use spreadsheets to figure out how well people are doing; you look at their confidence, ambition, and kindness. Give yourself a pat on the back when the people you lead get better than you. That’s the real sign of a leader who has made a difference.