A Simple Secret to Awesome Leadership

Take calculated risks that will benefit the organization.

Build your bench.

You’ve heard the expression, leader’s don’t build followers, they build more leaders.

That’s your number one job.

Build your bench by training, mentoring and cultivating the next level of leadership for your organization or company.

I liked to buy leadership books (or books on other topics) and leave them on my employee’s desks as a surprise gift. I did this for all of my direct reports, but if someone specifically indicated they wanted to move up or advance, I’d focus on leadership and sales books.

If I had a title I particularly enjoyed, I’d order several copies from Amazon and then write a note inside of each.

I didn’t make a big deal out of presenting them, just quietly left the book on their desk so they found it when they came in.

The employee would drop by to say thank you, which gave me a chance to connect over the book, and ask them to let me know when they had finished reading it so we could discuss again.

This created a loop of communication that was constantly kept open with employees, and led to a level of trust that was incredible.