Be A Leader
Being a great leader doesn’t require a fancy title, a lot of money, a position of power, or a perfect track record, it requires HUMANITY.
Leaders have a genuine positive regard for people and a desire to facilitate and celebrate their success just as much as their own.
Leaders cultivate real connections to the people they are not only leading, but serving.
Leaders champion prosocial values of cooperation, collaboration and compassion.
Leaders communicate directly and honestly while still showing empathy.
Leaders understand that their personal opinions are not facts and their personal experiences do not reflect truths about others’ experiences.
Leaders take responsibility for mistakes and failures and recognise gaps in their knowledge, and then take clear and transparent steps to correct them.
Leaders have the capacity to be self-reflective—the skill of observing their own thoughts, feelings and behaviours—and the willingness to consider how they are impacting others.
Leaders demonstrate courage in the face of fear and instil hope in times of uncertainty.
Leaders approach, rather than avoid, difficult situations and conversations, with genuine respect and a willingness to listen.
Leaders not only advocate for equality but also apply the principle of equity to ensure that everyone has access to information, support and resources based on their individual needs.
Leaders act with courage, integrity and kindness.
Leaders always put themselves and others in a position to learn, change and grow.
Everyone has the capacity to be a great leader—at work, at home and everywhere in between.
It’s time for all of us to be the leaders we want others to be.
Now lead.
Dr. Lillian Nejad is a clinical psychologist, author and founder of Skills for Life and Contain Your Brain.