Lolly Daskal's Blog, page 38
September 11, 2023
The Simple Communication Technique That Will Inspire Your Team
Effective communication is crucial for leaders looking to inspire and motivate their team. One simple technique that can have a powerful impact is communicating with care. When leaders express genuine interest in their team members’ well-being and happiness, it can increase motivation.
Here are four ways care makes a difference in communication:
Care expresses appreciation: When leaders communicate with concern for their team, it demonstrates their appreciation for the contributions and value of each individual team member. This recognition can inspire team members to work harder and feel more motivated in their roles.
Care creates inspiration: When team members feel that their leader is invested in their success and well-being, it can foster a sense of motivation and engagement in their work. When team members feel supported and valued, they are more likely to be motivated to put in their best effort and be committed to the team’s goals
Care shows investment: When leaders communicate with care for their team, it shows their investment in their success and well-being. This can inspire team members to want to do more and be more in return, as they feel valued and supported by their leader.
Care increases motivation: When team members feel like their well-being and happiness are a priority for their leader, they are more likely to be motivated and engaged in their work.
Communicating with care is a simple yet powerful technique that can inspire and motivate a team. It’s the foundation of great leadership and the platform for successful teams.
Lead From Within: The effectiveness of your communication determines the limits of your leadership make it meaningful and impactful.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness

After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post The Simple Communication Technique That Will Inspire Your Team appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
September 8, 2023
7 Poor Leadership Qualities You Should Stay Away From
Leaders are individuals who hold a great deal of influence and their actions can have a significant impact on those around them. However, it is possible for even the most successful leaders to possess poor leadership qualities, which can ultimately hinder their ability to effectively guide and lead. Therefore, it is always important to take stock of your leadership abilities.
Here are seven poor leadership qualities you should stay away from if you want to be an effective leader:
Know-it-all attitude: No one knows everything, and as a leader if you act like you do you are coming across as arrogant. This attitude of knowing it all will end up stifling all leadership creativity and innovation needed to succeed.
Poor conflict resolution skills: Conflicts and disagreements are inevitable in any work environment, but it’s important for leaders to be able to handle them effectively. Leaders with poor conflict resolution skills may avoid dealing with issues altogether or resort to unhealthy communication methods, such as yelling or belittling others.
No accountability: A leader who takes no responsibility for their actions or the actions of their team is not a leader at all. Accountability is crucial for maintaining trust and respect within a team.
No sense of priority focus: A leader who is unable to prioritize tasks and focus on what’s most important can quickly become overwhelmed and cause their team to lose productivity.
Inability to create a company culture: Culture is the personality of an organization, and it’s the leader’s responsibility to establish and maintain a positive culture that aligns with the company’s values and goals.
Lack of strategic thinking: A leader who lacks the ability to think strategically is unable to plan for the long-term success of their team or company.
Poor time management: Time management skills are essential for leaders, as they often have numerous responsibilities and need to prioritize their tasks. Poor time management can lead to missed deadlines and decreased productivity.
At the end of the day, it’s important for leaders to continuously self-assess and work to improve upon any negative traits they may possess in order to foster a positive and productive work environment.
Lead From Within: As a leader, it’s important to constantly evaluate and work on improving upon any poor qualities that may be holding you back.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness

After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post 7 Poor Leadership Qualities You Should Stay Away From appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
September 7, 2023
10 Simple Ways to Improve Your Leadership Self-Awareness
Leadership self-awareness is a critical skill for any leader to possess. It involves understanding your own strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations, as well as how these factors impact your leadership style and effectiveness. Developing self-awareness can help you become a more authentic, effective, and influential leader.
Here are ten simple ways you can improve your self awareness:
Reflect on your past experiences: Take some time to think about your past experiences as a leader. What worked well and what didn’t? What did you learn from those experiences? And what can you do better. Reflection helps move awareness forward.
Seek feedback from others: Ask your team members, colleagues, and even your stakeholders for feedback on your leadership style and effectiveness. Be open to constructive criticism and use it as an opportunity to learn and improve and get better as a leader.
Set boundaries: As a leader, it’s important to set clear boundaries and communicate your expectations. This can help you manage your time effectively and ensure that you are able to focus on your priorities.
Practice self-discipline: Leading by example and maintaining self-discipline is crucial for any leader. This includes being punctual, staying organized, and following through on commitments.
Learn from others: Seek out opportunities to learn from other leaders, whether through mentorship programs, leadership workshops, or simply by observing how other leaders approach their work. Surround yourself with leaders you admire.
Seek out new challenges: Stepping outside your comfort zone and taking on new challenges can help you grow as a leader. Look for opportunities to try something new and push yourself to be a better leader.
Practice active listening: Paying close attention to what others are saying and actively listening to their perspectives can help you gain a better understanding of the wants and needs of your employees. Communication is not just about speaking, it’s about listening to learn and understand.
Set goals and track your progress: Identify specific areas that you want to improve as a leader, and set goals for yourself to help you make progress. Regularly review your progress and adjust your approach as needed.
Seek out coaching and development opportunities: Working with a coach can help you develop your leadership skills and increase your self-awareness. Consider investing in your leadership development by participating in a coaching or training program that will help you expand and grow as a leader.
Take time for self-care: It’s important to have a balance between your personal and professional life. Therefore, take care of yourself in order to be an effective leader. Make sure to prioritize self-care activities such as exercise, rest, and relaxation and do the things that help you stay grounded.
Bottom line, self-awareness is the first step toward effective leadership. It’s the ability to see and understand your own thoughts, feelings, and behavior from an objective perspective. It’s about recognizing the impact you have on others.
Lead From Within: Self-awareness gives you the capacity to learn from your mistakes as well as your successes. It enables you to keep growing.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness

After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post 10 Simple Ways to Improve Your Leadership Self-Awareness appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
September 6, 2023
Steal These 5 Psychology Tricks to Improve Your Leadership
It’s important as a leader to constantly be learning and improving your skills. One way to do this is to leverage the latest research in psychology to better understand your leadership.
Here are 5 psychology tricks that you can steal to improve your leadership:
Use the power of positive reinforcement: Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool for influencing your own behavior. By rewarding yourself for your positive actions and efforts. As a leader, you can encourage yourself to continue performing at your best.
Set clear goals and expectations: Setting clear goals and expectations helps to give yourself a sense of purpose and direction. As a leader, this can help to increase your own motivation and focus, leading to better results.
Utilize the power of social proof: Social proof is the idea that people are more likely to do something if they see others doing it. As a leader, you can leverage this principle by setting a positive example for yourself to follow.
Practice active listening: Active listening involves paying full attention to others and showing them that you value their opinions and ideas. As a leader, this can help you to build trust and improve communication with others.
Use the power of visualization: Visualization is a powerful tool for helping people achieve their goals. As a leader, encourage yourself to visualize your own success and the steps you need to take to get there. This can help to increase your own motivation and focus.
These tricks and techniques can help foster a more positive team culture that lead to better results.
Lead From Within: The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness

After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post Steal These 5 Psychology Tricks to Improve Your Leadership appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
September 5, 2023
Why Great Leaders Reward Effort And Not Only Results
It’s natural for a leader to want to see results from their team. After all, the success of any organization depends on achieving results. But while results are certainly important, great leaders know that it’s also crucial to reward effort and not just results.
Here are a few reasons why:
Encouraging effort can lead to better results: By rewarding effort, you encourage your team to put in their best effort, which can ultimately lead to better results. When people feel like their hard work is valued and appreciated, they are more likely to go above and beyond to achieve success.
It promotes a positive team culture: Rewarding effort promotes a positive team culture where hard work is valued and appreciated. This can help to create a more collaborative and supportive environment, where team members are more likely to help each other out and work together effectively.
It motivates team members: Rewarding effort can help to motivate team members to continue putting in their best effort, even when the going gets tough. When people feel like their hard work is being recognized and rewarded, they are more likely to stay motivated and engaged.
It recognizes that results are not always within a team member’s control: Sometimes, despite a team member’s best efforts, results may not be achieved. By rewarding effort, you recognize that results are not always within a team member’s control and that their hard work is still valued and appreciated.
Lead From Within: Recognizing and rewarding effort shows that a leader values and appreciates their team and their hard work.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness

After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post Why Great Leaders Reward Effort And Not Only Results appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
September 4, 2023
The Best Trust Building Techniques For Busy Leaders
When you’re busy as a leader, you may feel you don’t have the time to build trust with your team. Without trust, your team members are less likely to follow your direction, collaborate effectively, or give their best effort. So how can you build trust when you don’t have time to do so?
Here are 7 effective techniques for busy leaders:
Be vulnerable: One of the most powerful ways to build trust is to show vulnerability. This means sharing your own mistakes and weaknesses, and being open to feedback from your team. By demonstrating that you’re not perfect, you’ll earn respect and build trust.
Be consistent: Consistency is key in building trust. This means following through on your commitments, being reliable, and following the same principles and values consistently. When your team knows what to expect from you, they’ll be more likely to trust you.
Be accountable: You can build trust by following through on your commitments, being reliable, and following the same principles and values consistently. When your team knows what to expect from you, they’re more inclined to trust you.
Be empathetic: Show that you care about your team members as individuals by taking the time to listen to their concerns and ideas. Show empathy by putting yourself in their shoes and understanding their perspective.
Be engaging: Engage with your team regularly, and make time for open and honest communication. This will help you build stronger relationships and demonstrate your commitment to your team.
Be appreciative: Show appreciation for your team members’ hard work and contributions. A little gratitude can go a long way in building trust and fostering a positive team culture.
Be honest: Honesty is the foundation of trust. Be transparent with your team, and don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t know something or need help. This honesty will build trust and respect with your team.
Be transparent: To build trust with your team, it’s important to be open and honest about your actions and decisions. By being transparent, you demonstrate that you have nothing to hide and are willing to be open about your actions and decisions. This helps to build trust and foster a positive team culture.
You can build a powerful and effective team by incorporating these trust-building techniques into your leadership style, and remember that you cannot effectively lead without trust, and being busy cannot be an excuse.
Lead From Within: Trust will always foster a more effective and trustworthy leadership that inspires and empowers your team to greatness.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness

After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post The Best Trust Building Techniques For Busy Leaders appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
September 1, 2023
4 Listening Habits Good Leaders Avoid At All Cost
Effective listening is a crucial skill for any leader. It allows you to understand your employees, make informed decisions, and build strong relationships. However, there are certain listening habits that good leaders avoid at all costs. These habits can hinder communication, create misunderstandings, and damage trust.
Here are four listening habits to watch out for:
Interrupting others: Interrupting someone while they are speaking shows a lack of respect and undermines their ideas. It can also disrupt the flow of conversation and prevent you from fully understanding what they are trying to say. As a leader, it’s important to allow others to finish speaking before jumping in with your own thoughts.
Pretending to listen: This is when you nod along and give nonverbal cues that you are listening, but you are actually distracted or not fully engaged in the conversation. This can be frustrating for the speaker and lead to misunderstandings or missed opportunities. Good leaders make a conscious effort to stay focused and fully present during conversations.
Only listening to confirm your own beliefs: It’s natural to want to agree with your own opinions, but good leaders are open to hearing different viewpoints and considering alternative perspectives. If you only listen to confirm your own beliefs, you are missing out on valuable information and potentially making poor decisions.
Allowing distractions: Poor listeners are easily distracted and may even create distractions for themselves and others. They may fidget or shuffle papers, showing little effort to conceal their boredom. These behaviors can interfere with their own listening efficiency. On the other hand, good listeners make an effort to minimize distractions and stay focused during conversations. They may even try to adjust to any external distractions that may be present. Additionally, good listeners do not create distractions for others and maintain a respectful environment for effective communication.
By avoiding these listening habits, you can become a more effective leader and foster positive communication.
Lead From Within: Good leaders know that listening is not just about hearing what others have to say; it is about being present and truly understanding their perspective.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness

After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post 4 Listening Habits Good Leaders Avoid At All Cost appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
August 31, 2023
6 Magic Phrases to Inspire Leadership Respect
As a leader, it’s important to earn the respect of your team. But how can you do that? One way is by using the right words and phrases that inspire respect and confidence in your leadership.
Here are 6 magic phrases that leaders can use to inspire leadership respect:
“What do you think?” – This phrase shows that you value the opinions and ideas of your team and that you are open to hearing their thoughts. It demonstrates that you trust your team and are willing to collaborate.
“I’m sorry.” – Leaders are not perfect, and it’s important to admit when you’ve made a mistake. By apologizing, you show that you are human and that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions. This can inspire respect and trust in your leadership.
“Thank you.” – A simple thank you can go a long way in inspiring leadership respect. Showing appreciation for your team’s hard work and contributions demonstrates that you value their efforts and that you recognize their contributions to the team’s success.
“I trust you.” – Trust is a key component of leadership respect. By expressing your trust in your team, you show that you believe in their abilities and that you are confident in their ability to handle responsibilities.
“What can I do to help?” – As a leader, it’s important to be supportive of your team. By offering to help, you show that you are willing to pitch in and that you are there to support your team when they need it.
“I believe in you.” – Expressing your belief in your team can be a powerful way to inspire leadership respect. It shows that you have confidence in their abilities and that you are supportive of their development and growth.
Lead From Within: These magic phrases when used consistently can help to increase respect in the leader’s ability to guide and inspire the team towards success.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E RThe Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness

After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post 6 Magic Phrases to Inspire Leadership Respect appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
August 30, 2023
5 Ways to Improve Your Leadership Effectiveness Today
Leadership is a skill that can always be improved upon. Whether you’re just starting out in a leadership role or you’ve been a leader for years, there are always ways to become more effective at inspiring and guiding your team.
Here are five tips to help you improve your leadership effectiveness today:
Foster a positive company culture: As a leader, you have the ability to set the tone for your organization. Therefore, it’s important to create a positive and supportive culture by showing appreciation for your employees, encouraging open communication, and promoting collaboration.
Encourage personal and professional growth: As a leader, it’s your job to help your team members grow and develop both personally and professionally. This can be achieved through regular check-ins and goal setting, providing opportunities for learning and development, and offering support and guidance when needed.
Communicate clearly and consistently: As a leader it’s imperative to communicate effectively with your employees. This means being clear and concise in your messaging, and making sure that everyone understands your expectations and goals. It’s also important to be consistent in your communication style and to follow through on any promises or commitments you make to your employees.
Practice empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. As a leader, it’s important to practice empathy with your team members in order to create a strong connection and foster a sense of trust. By being understanding and compassionate, you’ll be better able to lead and motivate your team.
Hire a coach: To be the most effective leader and stay current in trends and responsibilities, it’s important that every leader hire a coach. They can be incredibly beneficial at any stage of your career. A coach can provide objective feedback, help you identify areas for improvement, and hold you accountable to your goals. If you’re feeling stuck or unsure of how to improve your leadership skills, consider working with a coach to help you reach your full potential.
By implementing these five tips, you can improve your leadership effectiveness and become a more effective and inspiring leader for your whole company.
Lead From Within: A leader who is constantly improving is constantly growing effectively.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness

After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post 5 Ways to Improve Your Leadership Effectiveness Today appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
August 29, 2023
4 Toxic Communication Styles To Avoid As a Leader
When it comes to leadership communication it is important to be aware of your communication style and how it impacts your employees.
There are four basic toxic communication styles and if you want to be a great leaders you need to avoid them at all cost:
Passive Communication: Passive communication is characterized by a lack of assertion and a tendency to avoid confrontation. This style can often be difficult to detect, as it involves avoiding expressing one’s own needs and opinions. While it may seem easier to take a passive approach, it can actually be damaging to team dynamics and productivity. As a leader, it’s important to be able to express your needs and opinions in a direct and respectful way.
Aggressive Communication: Aggressive communication is characterized by an overwhelming need to control and dominate the conversation. This style is often confrontational and can involve yelling, interrupting, and belittling others. It’s important to recognize that aggression does not equal strength or confidence; in fact, it often stems from a place of insecurity or fear. As a leader, it’s important to be aware of your own emotions and how they might be influencing your communication style. Instead of using aggression, try using assertiveness to express your needs and opinions in a respectful way.
Passive-Aggressive Communication: Passive-aggressive communication is a sneaky and insidious form of aggression that can be hard to detect. It involves expressing anger or frustration indirectly, often through sarcastic comments or passive-aggressive behavior. This style of communication is unproductive and can create a toxic environment for your team. Instead of resorting to passive-aggressive behavior, try openly expressing your feelings in a direct and respectful way. This will help you address any issues head-on and create a more positive and constructive work environment.
Arrogant Communication: Arrogant communication is characterized by a superior and haughty attitude. It involves talking down to others and acting as though you are better or more knowledgeable than them. This type of communication can be damaging to team morale and can make it difficult for others to feel valued or heard. As a leader, it’s important to approach your team with humility and respect, even if you are more experienced or knowledgeable.
Lead From Within: While it might be tempting to use toxic communication styles in order to get what you want in the short term, it’s important to recognize that these styles can be damaging in the long run.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness

After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
The post 4 Toxic Communication Styles To Avoid As a Leader appeared first on Lolly Daskal.