What is a great leader

What are the core leadership practices

    Inspires with a clear vision and roadmap
    Listens with openness and curiosity
    Speaks with transparency and authenticity
    Facilitates healthy debates and meetings
    Makes decisions inclusively and effectively
    Delegates effectively and creates accountable teams
    Develops people and teams

Leadership Behaviors



#1. Inspires with a Clear Vision & Roadmap

• Embodies and shares a compelling vision of the future.• Communicates the vision so that people see how they fit in.• Establishes clear roadmaps that define the milestones & short-term future.• Establishes clear priorities so that people know what to work on.• Renegotiates priorities with others when things change. Does not pile on newtasks without reprioritizing old tasks.• Establishes key metrics and indicators to stay on track.



#2. Listens with Openness & Curiosity

• Brings curiosity and a willingness to be influenced.• Open to critical feedback on their ideas, decisions and leadership style.• Digs for others’ underlying interests and concerns.• Listens to ideas fairly, regardless of who is presenting them.• Empathizes with others and notices people's emotions.• Listens in a way that people feel heard.



#3. Speaks with Transparency & Authenticity

• Clearly expresses where they stand on issues.• Shares their opinions and concerns, even if unpopular.• Gives honest feedback.• Addresses challenging issues, e.g. names the elephant.• Cleans up issues with others. Does not harbor resentment.• Owns their opinions as opinions. Does not present opinions as facts.



#4. Facilitates Healthy Debates & Meetings

• Leads effective and time-efficient meetings. Avoids unnecessary tangents andrabbit holes.• Avoids cell phone/computer distractions and stays present.• Embraces creative conflict.• Explores and brainstorms creative solutions to resolve complex issues.• Draws the quiet people out.• Has sufficient understanding of an issue and others' opinions before pushing fora specific solution.



#5. Makes Decisions Inclusively & Effectively

• Includes the right people in decision-making.• Considers others' opinions and concerns before deciding.• Willing to try out ideas and see what is learned, e.g. rapid prototyping.• Makes good and timely decisions, even if all the information is not available.• When a decision is made, ensures full group alignment. Even if some peoplewould have made a different decision, they "disagree and commit."• Establishes clear next steps.



#6. Delegates Effectively & Creates Accountable Teams

• Does what they say they will do. Follows up.• When commitments are in jeopardy, renegotiates the commitments and informsimpacted people. Avoids last-minute surprises.• Makes direct requests, clarifies what is expected, and gets a clear commitment.• Tracks commitments made by others and ensures completion.• Sets up short-term milestones to check-in and track progress.• When people are failing, offers support and resources (instead of beating them up).• Holds people accountable. When commitments made to them are not kept,discusses what went wrong and gets a new commitment.



#7. Develops People & Teams

• Motivates people to bring their best and inspires ambition.• Leads effective 1-on-1's.• Offers frequent and genuine appreciation for people's contributions.• Offers coaching and support in developing people's skills and careers.• Supports others in learning from mistakes.• Does not talk negatively behind people's backs (no triangulation).• Hires competent people who fit the culture.• Ensures the right person is in the role, moving people or letting people go when needed.