What Exceptional Leaders Do Differently
They may not have the title of Chief Executive Officer or President, but we have seen them before. The person people seem to naturally gravitate to, the team member everyone knows they can rely and count on to get things done, or the individual people seek out for information or help with a problem. Whatever it is, they stand out – not because they try to but because people are drawn to their innate ability to make others feel seen, heard, understood, and appreciated. They seem to possess a magic power to bring out the best in you and make you want to do better. What they do is different – and sets them apart from other leaders and makes them exceptional at leading others. Let’s take a look at what these exceptional leaders all have in common but do a little differently:
They see the person as a human being
Exceptional leaders possess an innate ability to value each person as a unique individual with thoughts, feelings, and ideas. They genuinely care about others and prioritize people first. Exceptional leaders make you feel they are never too busy to have a conversation, are generous with their time, and make others feel welcomed, safe, and heard.
They lead by example
Exceptional leaders don’t lead by telling others what to do or dictating orders, they lead through their actions and quiet presence. They demonstrate and model for others with their consistency in how they show up. People quickly learn that they are who they say they are and what you see is authentic. These leaders demonstrate a high level of integrity, follow through on their commitments, and emulate what they expect from others.
They are constantly trying to become better as a person and professional
Exceptional leaders are committed to continuous self-improvement. They understand the value of investing in themselves and being a consummate learner. This includes recognizing that learning can come from any and everyone. They also recognize they are not always the smartest person in the room, which keeps them grounded, curious, and open to hearing what others have to say as well as differing perspectives. Exceptional leaders value feedback and view it as a cherished gift. Why? Because people don’t have to share their thoughts and opinions with you. Fostering relationships where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts with you, whether you agree with them or not, is insight. It is knowledge currency. And once you have this knowledge, you can choose how to use that gift to grow and adapt personally and professionally. Exceptional leaders appreciate the value of diverse perspectives as it enables them to see their blind spots, find common ground, and build stronger relationships.
They are extremely self-aware
Exceptional leaders are keenly aware of their talents, strengths, and weaknesses. They are honest with themselves and others about their limitations and are not afraid to solicit support from others. What these individuals share in common is the desire to do things extremely well and at the highest level possible. When this is not possible, they graciously decline or delegate the task to others who are more capable. The power in this is knowing you cannot be an expert at everything and that is OK. Equally important to these leaders is the enjoyment and satisfaction that comes with doing something you love, are naturally good at, and can do better at than most. The epitome of self-awareness is knowing your passion and purpose – and the ability to say no to things that do not align with your values.
They are highly resilient
Exceptional leaders understand that life likes to occasionally throw unexpected curve balls your way. They plan for the unexpected and are not easily deterred when things don’t go as expected. These leaders recognize they cannot control everything and that about 80% of their results will come from roughly 20% of their efforts. They are humble with their wins and reflective with mistakes. How they emotionally and mentally respond to setbacks and obstacles is what sets them apart from other leaders. These leaders view setbacks as a way to keep you grounded as you achieve even greater success. They understand setbacks and success are complementary - two things that go together – where one cannot exist without the other. When setbacks do occur, exceptional leaders know how to take care of themselves mentally and physically so they can quickly recover, bounce back and be ready for another day.
