Lolly Daskal's Blog, page 43
June 30, 2023
Avoid Absolute Failure By Mastering This One Leadership Skill
As an executive leadership coach, I have worked with many leaders around the world, and there is one skill, one trait, that is crucial if a leader wants to avoid absolute failure. And that one trait is character.
Character is a crucial leadership skill that is often overlooked, but it’s one that can make or break a leader. Without character, a leader is bound to fail, no matter how many other skills they may have.
Here are five reasons why character is essential for mastering leadership:
It’s the foundation of trust. Without trust, it’s impossible to build a strong team or lead effectively. Character is the foundation of trust, as it demonstrates to others that you are reliable, honest, and dependable.
It helps to inspire others. When you have strong character, you inspire others to follow your lead and strive to do their best. Your character is a reflection of your values and beliefs, and when you lead with integrity, it motivates others to do the same.
It’s essential for decision-making. Good character helps leaders to make tough decisions that are in the best interests of their team and organization, even when it’s not the easiest or most convenient choice.
It helps to build strong relationships. Character is the foundation of all relationships, and it’s especially important in leadership. When you have strong character, you are able to build trust and respect with your team, which leads to stronger relationships and better teamwork.
It’s the cornerstone of credibility. Without character, it’s impossible to have credibility as a leader. When you have strong character, you earn the respect and trust of your team, and they are more likely to follow your lead and believe in your vision.
In summary, by building strong character, leaders can set themselves up for success and avoid the pitfalls of absolute failure.
Lead From Within: Avoid failure by mastering the one skill that will make your leadership not only good, but great.
#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 Avoid Absolute Failure By Mastering This One Leadership Skill appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
June 29, 2023
4 Mistakes Leaders Make That Will Destroy Trust
Trust is essential for effective leadership because it is the foundation of strong relationships and a positive team culture. It fosters collaboration, teamwork, and a sense of mutual respect and support, which are all crucial for the success of any team or organization. It takes time and effort to build. However, it only takes one mistake to destroy trust and undermine a leader’s credibility.
Here are four mistakes that leaders make that can quickly destroy trust:
Breaking promises. If a leader consistently fails to follow through on their commitments, they will quickly lose the trust of their team.
Lying or being dishonest. Honesty is a crucial component of trust, and when a leader is caught lying or being dishonest, it can shatter trust irreparably.
Being unreliable. If a leader is consistently late, unprepared, or fails to follow through on tasks, it will erode trust and damage their credibility.
Failing to communicate effectively. Poor communication is a common cause of mistrust, as it can lead to misunderstandings, confusion, and frustration.
In conclusion, trust is the foundation of effective leadership, and it’s essential for building strong relationships and inspiring others to follow your lead. By avoiding these four common mistakes, leaders can work to maintain and strengthen trust, setting themselves up for success and helping their team thrive.
Lead From Within: Remember, it only takes one mistake to destroy trust, so it’s important to be mindful of your actions and words as a leader.
#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 Mistakes Leaders Make That Will Destroy Trust appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
June 28, 2023
Why the Best Companies Develop Leaders at Every Level
Developing leaders at every level is essential for the success of any organization. While it’s important to have strong leaders at the top. It’s equally important to have leaders throughout the company, at all levels.
Here are five reasons why the best companies prioritize leadership development at every level:
It fosters a culture of growth and development. When employees feel that they have opportunities to grow and develop as leaders, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated in their work.
It helps to build a strong leadership pipeline. By developing leaders at every level, companies ensure that they have a pool of talented individuals who are ready to step into leadership roles as they become available.
It promotes collaboration and teamwork. When everyone is a leader, there is less emphasis on hierarchy and more focus on teamwork and collaboration. This can lead to a more positive and productive work environment.
It helps to build resilience and adaptability. By empowering employees to take on leadership roles and make decisions, companies can help build their resilience and adaptability, which is essential in today’s fast-paced and constantly changing business environment.
It leads to better decision-making and problem-solving. When there are leaders at every level, there are more perspectives and ideas to draw from, which can lead to better decision-making and problem-solving.
Bottom line, the most successful companies recognize the importance of developing leaders at every level. They understand that fostering a culture of development and growth ensures that they have the leadership they need to thrive in today’s business environment.
Lead From Within: The best companies understand that developing leaders at every level is key to their 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 Why the Best Companies Develop Leaders at Every Level appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
June 27, 2023
7 Ways Leaders Erase Self-Doubt and Build Their Confidence
Self-doubt can be a major barrier to success and confidence, especially for leaders. It’s natural to feel uncertain or fearful at times, but allowing those doubts to take hold can hold us back and prevent us from reaching our full potential.
However, there are steps we can take, here are seven strategies for overcoming self-doubt and building confidence in our leadership abilities.
Cancel out the feeling you’re not good enough: This can be a common source of self-doubt for many people. To overcome this, try reframing your thoughts and reminding yourself that everyone makes mistakes and that it’s okay to be imperfect. Focus on your strengths and what you have to offer, and don’t compare yourself to others.
Be willing to learn something new. Learning new things can help boost your confidence and give you a sense of accomplishment. So don’t be afraid to try something new or take on a challenge, even if it’s outside your comfort zone.
It doesn’t need to be perfect…just very good. Perfectionism can be a major source of self-doubt, so try to let go of the need for perfection and focus on doing your best. Remember that “very good” is often more than good enough.
Use the “Rule of 3” to make the best decision you can. When faced with a difficult decision, try listing out three options and weigh the pros and cons of each. This can help you make a more informed and confident decision.
Accept negative feedback graciously. It’s natural to feel defensive when faced with negative feedback, but try to listen to it objectively and consider whether there’s any truth to it. Use it as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than letting it shake your confidence.
Just because you fail, it doesn’t mean you should stop believing in yourself. Failure is a natural part of the learning and growth process, so don’t let it knock your confidence. Use it as an opportunity to reflect and learn, and then move on with renewed determination and confidence.
Stop judging yourself so harshly. We can all be our own worst critics, but try to be more compassionate and understanding with yourself. Focus on your progress and achievements, and try to let go of any negative self-judgment.
Bottom line, overcoming self-doubt is an ongoing process, and it’s natural to have moments of uncertainty or fear, it’s what you do in those moments that matter.
Lead From Within: The best leaders don’t allow their self-doubt to get the best of them; they learn to keep moving forward with confidence in themselves and their leadership abilities.
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 Ways Leaders Erase Self-Doubt and Build Their Confidence appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
June 26, 2023
How to Get Your Employees to Work Better Together
It’s a given that not every employee is going to have the same work style. Different people have different ways of seeing the world, communicating with others, and prioritizing activities.
In the workplace, these differences can create friction and lead to problems such as missed deadlines, lack of cohesion, and hurt feelings. So, how can you get your employees to work together harmoniously and get in sync?
Here are seven strategies for getting your employees to work better together:
Build diverse teams: By bringing together people with a range of experiences, skills, and perspectives, you can create a team that is more innovative and adaptable.
Clearly define roles and responsibilities: Make sure that each team member knows what is expected of them and how they fit into the overall team dynamic.
Build trust: Trust is the foundation of any effective team. Encourage open and honest communication, and be reliable and consistent in your actions
Communication must be transparent: Make sure that everyone on the team has access to the information they need to do their job effectively. Encourage open and honest communication, and be transparent about your decision-making processes.
Give employees autonomy: Allow team members to take ownership of their work and make decisions within their areas of responsibility. This will help to build engagement and commitment.
Build a community: Foster a sense of belonging and connection within the team by encouraging social activities and team-building events.
Exemplify model behavior: As the leader, you set the example for others. Model the behaviors and attitudes that you want to see in your employees, such as respect, collaboration, and accountability.
By fostering a positive and inclusive team culture, you can encourage collaboration and increase productivity, creativity, and job satisfaction among your employees.
Lead From Within: Getting your employees to work better together can be challenging, but it’s essential for the success of your employees and business.
#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 How to Get Your Employees to Work Better Together appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
June 22, 2023
5 Body Language Habits That Sabotage Your Leadership Success
When it comes to leadership your words are important. Your nonverbal communication can be just as influential. In fact, research has shown that nonverbal cues make up a significant portion of how we communicate and can even convey more information than the words we speak. This means that your body language can have a powerful impact on your leadership effectiveness and the success of your team.
Unfortunately, many leaders are unaware of the unconscious body language habits that may be undermining their success. Here are five common body language habits that can sabotage your leadership:
Body Language Habit #1: Failing to Make Eye Contact
One of the most basic forms of nonverbal communication is eye contact. When we look someone in the eyes, it shows that we are present, engaged, and interested in what they have to say. On the other hand, failing to make eye contact can signal disinterest, dishonesty, or lack of confidence.
As a leader, it’s important to make eye contact with your team members, especially when you are communicating important information or giving feedback. By showing that you are fully present and engaged, you can build trust and credibility with your team.
Body Language Habit #2: Crossed Arms
Crossing your arms across your chest can convey a number of negative messages, including defensiveness, closed-mindedness, or lack of openness. While it’s natural to cross your arms from time to time, be mindful of the message you are sending when you do so.
If you find that you frequently cross your arms during meetings or conversations, try to consciously uncross them and open your posture instead. This can signal openness and willingness to listen, which can help to foster better communication and collaboration with your team.
Body Language Habit #3: Slumped Shoulders
Your posture can say a lot about your state of mind and your leadership style. Slumping or slouching can convey a lack of energy, confidence, or leadership presence. On the other hand, standing tall with good posture can signal strength, confidence, and authority.
If you find yourself slumping or slouching, try to consciously straighten your posture. This can not only improve your appearance, but also boost your energy and confidence.
Body Language Habit #4: Consistent Fidgeting
Constant fidgeting can convey nervousness, discomfort, or lack of confidence. While it’s normal to feel some nerves in certain situations, excessive fidgeting or avoiding touch can make you appear untrustworthy or uncertain.
To improve your nonverbal communication, try to focus on being still and present in your body. This can help you to appear more confident and in control.
Body Language Habit #5: Inconsistent Facial Expressions
Facial expressions are a powerful form of nonverbal communication, and inconsistency can be confusing or off-putting to others. For example, if you are speaking with a team member and your facial expression doesn’t match the words you are saying, it can create confusion or mistrust.
To improve your nonverbal communication, try to be aware of your facial expressions and ensure that they match the words and tone of your message. This can help to create clearer and more authentic communication with your team.
Bottom line, your body language can have a powerful impact on your team’s motivation, confidence, and trust in you. By becoming more aware of your unconscious body language habits and making an effort to improve your nonverbal communication, you can enhance your leadership effectiveness and drive better results for your team.
Lead From Within: The body language of leaders is especially important because it influences not only how others see them, but also how they see themselves.
The post 5 Body Language Habits That Sabotage Your Leadership Success appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
June 21, 2023
How the Best Leaders Involve Every Member of their Team Successfully
Have you ever attended a team meeting and felt like you weren’t included or valued as a member of the team? This is a common experience for many people, and it can be demoralizing and demotivating.
Lack of inclusion during team meetings is often due to cliques, not being part of the leader’s inner circle, or the leader being focused on him or herself. As a leader, it’s your job to engage each and every person.
Here are five ways that the best leaders involve every member of their team successfully:
Acknowledge each person: The best leaders are really good at acknowledging people. By greeting and giving everyone a chance to speak and be heard. This means actively listening to what each person has to say and acknowledging their attendance and contributions.
Leaders don’t speak first: As the leader, it’s important to set an example by not speaking first in team meetings. This allows other team members to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas without feeling like they are competing with the leader.
Recognize everyone’s ideas: Encourage team members to share their ideas and thoughts, and take the time to consider and discuss them. Even if you don’t end up implementing every suggestion, it’s important to show that you value the input of all team members.
Assign tasks appropriately: Make sure to consider the strengths and interests of each team member when assigning tasks. This will help to ensure that everyone is engaged and motivated to contribute their best work.
Appreciate each other: Show appreciation for the contributions and hard work of each team member. This can be as simple as thanking someone for their contribution in a meeting or giving them a shout-out in a team email.
Bottom line, your job as a leader is to engage each and every person on the team and create a culture of inclusivity. Inclusivity is about creating a culture of belonging and respect, where everyone feels valued and able to contribute their best work.
Lead From Within: The best leaders know how to involve every team member so they feels like they belong and are able to fully participate and succeed.
#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 How the Best Leaders Involve Every Member of their Team Successfully appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
June 20, 2023
Why Do Successful Leaders Still Feel Like Imposters?
Many high-achieving business professionals feel anxious and uncertain about their abilities, even though they have worked hard and have achieved success in their careers. They may feel like imposters, as if they don’t truly deserve their accomplishments and are just lucky to be where they are. This phenomenon is known as imposter syndrome.
“Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud”. Despite external evidence of their competence, those experiencing imposter syndrome remain convinced that they are not as competent as others perceive them to be.”
Many leaders experience it and feel its a barrier to their success, as an executive leadership coach, I believe these seven strategies will be a good start for overcoming the imposter syndrome:
Focus on your strengths instead of your weaknesses: Instead of dwelling on what you can’t do or what you’re not good at, focus on your strengths and the skills and abilities that have helped you achieve success. This will help to build confidence and self-esteem.
Learn to validate your accomplishments: It’s important to recognize and acknowledge your own accomplishments, rather than downplaying or dismissing them. Take the time to reflect on your successes and the hard work and effort that went into achieving them.
Let go of perfectionism: Perfectionism can be a major source of stress and self-doubt. Instead of striving for perfection, focus on doing your best and accepting that mistakes are a natural part of the learning and growth process.
Cultivate self-compassion: Be kind and understanding towards yourself, and remember that everyone makes mistakes and has moments of self-doubt. Practice self-compassion by acknowledging your own humanity and treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a good friend.
Overcome the fear of failure: Fear of failure can be a major barrier to success. Instead of letting fear hold you back, embrace the possibility of failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. Remember that failure is a natural part of the learning and growth process, and that it can often lead to eventual success.
Start owning your successes: Instead of downplaying or dismissing your accomplishments, embrace them and take pride in your achievements. Remember that you deserve credit for your hard work and efforts, and start sharing your successes with others.
Hire a coach or become coachable: If you find that you cannot do the work yourself, it is best to ask for help. A coach can help you to identify and overcome the underlying causes of imposter syndrome, and provide support and guidance as you work to build confidence and self-esteem. Alternatively, you can become coachable by actively seeking out feedback and learning opportunities, and being open to learning from others.
Imposter syndrome can be a major barrier to success and fulfillment, but it is possible to overcome it. By acknowledging how you feel, you can take the first steps towards owning your identity as a successful leader.
Lead From Within: As successful leaders, we have to remember that the imposter in you is afraid of being exposed as a fraud, despite evidence that you are more than competent.
#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 Do Successful Leaders Still Feel Like Imposters? appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
June 19, 2023
How The Best Leaders Seek and Maximize Advice Wisely
Many leaders love to give advice, whether it is solicited or unsolicited. However, many leaders don’t enjoy receiving advice, and even when the advice is valid. They fail to use it to improve their issues, situations, or relationships. There are several problems that can arise when it comes to giving and receiving advice. We may be overconfident about our perspectives, fail to define the true problem, fear hearing what we don’t want to hear, or learn that we are not committed to doing the “real” work required. In order to become more effective leaders, it is important to develop good listening skills when it comes to receiving advice.
Here are seven leadership listening skills that top leaders use to make the most of the advice they receive:
Set aside your ego: It can be difficult to listen to advice when you feel like your ego is on the line. However, it is important to remember that the advice you receive is not a personal attack on your abilities or intelligence. Instead, it is an opportunity to learn and grow as a leader.
Be interested: Show a genuine interest in the advice you are receiving. Ask questions and seek clarification to ensure that you fully understand the perspective of the person offering the advice.
Ask questions: Asking questions not only helps you to better understand the advice you are receiving, but it also shows that you are actively engaged in the conversation.
Be coachable: Be open to trying new approaches and considering different perspectives. This will help you to learn and grow as a leader.
Set aside being annoyed: It can be frustrating to receive advice that you don’t agree with or that challenges your current way of thinking. However, it is important to set aside these feelings and listen to the advice with an open mind.
Be open to new perspectives: Keep an open mind and be willing to consider new ideas and approaches. This will help you to broaden your perspective and become a more effective leader.
Be okay with receiving help: It is important to remember that no one has all the answers and that it is okay to ask for help or seek out advice. By being open to receiving help, you can become a more effective and confident leader.
Developing good listening skills when it comes to receiving advice is a key aspect of effective leadership. By following these tips, you can maximize your leadership potential and improve your issues, situations, and relationships.
Lead From Within: The best leaders are those who are open to receiving advice and willing to act on it. They use it to become better leaders.
#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 How The Best Leaders Seek and Maximize Advice Wisely appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
June 16, 2023
How to Temper Your Temper to be a Great Leader
Leadership involves a range of emotions and can be a very personal experience. As a leader, you are likely deeply invested in the success of your company, as well as the well-being and performance of your employees. However, this level of personal investment can sometimes lead to emotionally charged situations that can cause you to lose your temper.
Here are a few tips for tempering your temper and becoming a more effective leader:
Take a pause: When you feel yourself getting angry or frustrated, it’s important to take a moment to pause and collect your thoughts. This can help you avoid making rash decisions or saying something you’ll regret later. Taking a pause gives you the opportunity to calm down and think about the situation more objectively.
Take ownership: Instead of placing blame on others, try to take ownership of your actions and emotions. This will not only show your team that you are willing to take responsibility for your mistakes, but it will also help you better understand and manage your emotions.
Avoid making assumptions: It’s easy to jump to conclusions or make assumptions about a situation, but this can often lead to misunderstandings and conflict. Instead, try to approach situations with an open mind and ask clarifying questions to get a better understanding of what’s going on.
Learn to manage your emotions: Being able to recognize and manage your emotions is key to being an effective leader. Practice mindfulness techniques, such as taking deep breaths and focusing on the present moment, to help you gain better control over your emotions.
Consider getting support: If you find that you have a difficult time managing your emotions, don’t be afraid to seek support from a mentor or coach. They can help you identify the root causes of your anger and provide you with strategies for managing it.
Learn self care techniques: Taking care of yourself is important for managing your emotions and staying balanced. Consider incorporating self care practices, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones, into your routine to help you stay grounded and focused.
In conclusion, learning to temper your temper is essential for being a great leader. By following these tips and seeking support when needed, you can become more effective in managing your emotions and communicating with your team.
Lead From Within: The ability to control your emotions and manage your temper is essential for success in any area of life and leadership.
#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 How to Temper Your Temper to be a Great Leader appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
