Lolly Daskal's Blog, page 45
May 31, 2023
The Leadership Mindset: How to Think Like a Successful Leader
As a leader, it’s important to understand that your mindset plays a crucial role in your success and the success of your team. Being aware of the way you approach challenges and problem-solving, as well as your overall outlook on your role as a leader, can have a significant impact on your effectiveness.
As an executive leadership coach, I believe that the leadership mindset sets great leaders apart from the rest. Here are three key elements of the leadership mindsets that will help you succeed:
A Growth Mindset:
A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and skills can be developed and improved through effort and learning. Leaders with a growth mindset are open to feedback and are always looking for ways to improve and grow. They are willing to take risks and learn from their mistakes, and they are focused on continuous improvement for themselves and their team.
A Solutions-Focused Mindset:
A solutions-focused mindset is the belief that problems can be solved and challenges can be overcome. Leaders with a solutions-focused mindset are proactive and resourceful, and they are focused on finding solutions and achieving results. They are resilient and adaptable, and they are able to overcome obstacles and setbacks.
A Positive and Optimistic Mindset:
A positive and optimistic mindset is the belief that the future can be better than the present, and that challenges can be opportunities for growth and success. Leaders with a positive and optimistic mindset are optimistic, hopeful, and resilient, and they are able to inspire and motivate their team to achieve their goals. They are also able to maintain a positive and productive work environment, even in challenging and difficult circumstances.
The leadership mindset is the foundation upon which all great leadership is built. It’s the way leaders think and approach challenges, opportunities, and relationships that determines their success as leaders. and it enables them to be impactful and effective in their roles.
Lead From Within: Leadership mindset is not something you can develop overnight, but with intentional effort and practice, you can cultivate a mindset that sets you and others up for success.
#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 Leadership Mindset: How to Think Like a Successful Leader appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 30, 2023
5 Simple and Effective Ways to Help Your Team Deal with Stress
Stress is an inevitable part of life, and it can be especially high for those in leadership positions. However, as a leader, it’s important to recognize the signs of stress in your team and to provide support to help them cope.
Here are five simple and effective ways to help your team deal with stress:
Foster a positive work culture: Create a positive and supportive work culture that fosters open communication and encourages teamwork. This can help to reduce stress and increase morale.
Provide resources: Offer your team resources such as stress management training or access to a company-wide Employee Assistance Program (EAP). These resources can provide valuable tools and support for managing stress.
Encourage breaks: Encourage your team to take breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. This can be as simple as taking a short walk outside or closing their eyes for a few minutes of relaxation.
Encourage healthy habits: Encourage your team to adopt healthy habits such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep. These habits can help to reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
Show empathy: Show empathy and understanding towards your team’s stress. This means actively listening to your team members and trying to understand their perspective and feelings.
By implementing these simple strategies, you can help your team to effectively cope with stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Remember, as a leader, it’s important to lead by example and prioritize how you handle stress effectively.
Lead From Within: A stressed team is a less productive team, and as a leader, it’s your responsibility to create a healthy and supportive work environment.
#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 5 Simple and Effective Ways to Help Your Team Deal with Stress appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 29, 2023
These 7 Fearless Skills Are Required For Great Leadership
Great leadership is not just about having a title or a certain level of expertise in a particular field. It’s about having the courage and conviction to lead others and to inspire them to be their best selves.
Fearless leadership means taking risks, making tough decisions, and standing up for what you believe in. It also means being vulnerable and open to learning and growth.
Here are seven fearless skills that are essential for great leadership:
Courage: Great leaders have the courage to take risks and make tough decisions, even when faced with uncertainty or adversity. This trait allows them to prioritize something else above fear.
Conviction: Great leaders stand firm in their beliefs and values, and they inspire others to do the same. Their conviction allows them to stand strong in their convictions.
Vulnerability: Great leaders are willing to be vulnerable and open to learning and growth. They recognize that they don’t have all the answers, and they seek out new perspectives and viewpoints. This vulnerability enables them to inspire others to share their points of view without much hesitation.
Empathy: Great leaders have the ability to put themselves in others’ shoes and to understand and connect with their emotions and experiences. This empathy not only allows them to understand others, but also helps them to confront and connect with them on a deeper level.
Authenticity: Great leaders are genuine and transparent, and they inspire others to be the same. Their authenticity is demonstrated through their daily practice of letting go of who they think they should be and embracing who they really are.
Adaptability: Great leaders are able to adapt to new situations and challenges, and they encourage their team to do the same. They understand that change is the only constant.
Creativity: Great leaders encourage creativity and innovation, and they embrace new ideas and approaches to problem-solving. Their creativity allows them to see things that others have not and think in new ways.
In order to be a great leader, it’s important to cultivate these fearless skills and use them to inspire and guide others towards success.
Lead From Within: The greatest leaders are those who are willing to confront their fears, which enables them to achieve great things.
#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 These 7 Fearless Skills Are Required For Great Leadership appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 26, 2023
10 Powerful Things Great Leaders Should Say Every Day
Great leaders understand the power of words. They use their words to inspire, motivate, and guide their team. They also know that the words they choose can have a significant impact on their team’s performance and morale.
Here are 10 powerful things that great leaders should say every day:
“Thank you.” Recognition and appreciation are crucial for building strong teams. Great leaders make sure to thank their team members regularly for their hard work and contributions.
“I believe in you.” Great leaders have confidence in their team’s abilities and regularly express their faith in their team members.
“Let’s work together to solve this.” When faced with challenges, great leaders encourage collaboration and problem-solving instead of assigning blame.
“What do you think?” Great leaders value the input and ideas of their team members and actively seek their perspective.
“Let’s set clear goals and expectations.” Great leaders know the importance of clear communication and setting expectations for their team.
“Let’s celebrate our successes.” Great leaders recognize the importance of celebrating achievements and take the time to acknowledge and celebrate their team’s successes.
“What can I do to support you?” Great leaders understand that their team members may need support and are willing to do what they can to help.
“What have you learned from this?” Great leaders encourage continuous learning and growth and regularly ask their team members about their takeaways from experiences.
“Here’s what I need from you.” Great leaders communicate clearly and directly, setting clear expectations for their team.
“I’m here for you.” Great leaders show their team members that they care about them and are available to support them.
Great leaders know that the words they choose have a significant impact on their team’s success. They know their communication matters. Therefore, they are intentional with their words.
Lead From Within: The most powerful leadership tool you have is your communication what you say every day matters.
#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 10 Powerful Things Great Leaders Should Say Every Day appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 25, 2023
7 Common Leadership Mistakes That Derail Your Team’s Success
As a leader, it’s important to recognize that your actions and decisions have a ripple effect on your team. If you’re making mistakes, it’s likely that your team will struggle as well.
There are common leadership mistakes that can derail your team’s success. By understanding the mistakes and learning from them, you can set your team up for success.
Here are seven of the most common leadership mistakes, that derail a team’s success:
Lack of clear communication: A big mistake leaders make is not effectively communicating their vision and goals to their team. If your team doesn’t understand what’s expected of them, it’s nearly impossible for them to succeed. Make sure you clearly articulate your expectations and provide regular updates on progress.
Micromanaging: While it’s important to keep an eye on your team’s progress, constantly checking in on every detail can be stifling and demoralizing. Trust your team to handle their tasks and give them the space to work independently.
Failing to delegate: A common mistake is trying to do everything yourself. Not only is this inefficient, but it also shows a lack of trust in your team. Delegating tasks not only frees up your time, but it also helps your team develop new skills and grow as professionals.
Lack of feedback: Giving regular feedback is crucial for team success. It helps team members understand what they’re doing well and where they need to improve. Without it, team members can feel disconnected and unsure of their contributions.
Being Stubborn: In today’s fast-paced business world, it’s important for leaders to be adaptable and open to change. If you’re resistant to change or slow to adapt, your team will struggle to keep up. Stay open to new ideas and be willing to pivot when necessary.
Avoiding conflict: Ignoring or avoiding conflicts within your team can lead to unresolved issues and tension, which can hinder productivity and morale. It’s important to address conflicts head on and find solutions that work for everyone.
Not playing to team members’ strengths: Another biggest mistakes a leader can make is not taking the time to understand the strengths of their team members and utilizing those strengths effectively. By failing to do so, you risk overloading team members with tasks they may not be well-suited for, leading to frustration and decreased productivity.
By recognizing and addressing these mistakes, you can set your team up for success and create a positive, productive work environment. Remember, it’s not about avoiding mistakes altogether, but about learning from them and making the necessary adjustments to improve your leadership and the success of your team.
Lead From Within: The best leaders learn from their mistakes and create success for those they lead.
#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 7 Common Leadership Mistakes That Derail Your Team’s Success appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 24, 2023
8 Must-Have Leadership Traits For Current And Future Leaders
As an executive leadership coach, my clients often ask me what skills are necessary for effective leadership today and in the future. In my experience, there are several core competencies. These traits are crucial for current and future leaders to possess. By developing these skills, leaders can build the confidence and assertiveness. They will be needed to thrive in a constantly changing organizational environment.
Here are the eight must have traits for current and future leaders to embody:
Cultural competence: As the world becomes more connected. It’s important for leaders to have cultural intelligence. This means understanding and valuing different cultural perspectives. Additionally, it’s being able to effectively communicate and work with people from diverse backgrounds. Great leaders are open-minded, adaptable, and able to navigate cultural differences with ease.
Cohesive collaboration: No leader can succeed on their own. Great leaders know how to bring people together and build a cohesive team. They are adept at fostering collaboration, encouraging open communication, and promoting teamwork.
Technological literacy: In today’s world, being tech-savvy is essential for leaders. It’s not enough to simply have a basic understanding of current technologies and what they do. Great leaders stay up-to-date on new and emerging technologies. They know how to leverage them to benefit their organization. Additionally, they understand how to use technology to improve efficiency, streamline processes, and enhance communication.
Emotional intelligence: Emotional intelligence, or the ability to recognize and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others, is a critical leadership trait. Great leaders are self-aware and able to regulate their emotions in difficult situations. As a result, they have empathy and can effectively communicate with and motivate their team.
Innovation and creativity: In today’s fast-paced world, it’s important for leaders to be able to think creatively and adapt to change. Great leaders are able to come up with innovative solutions to problems and are open to new ideas. They are also able to pivot and adapt to changing circumstances quickly.
Adaptability and flexibility: Along with being adaptable, great leaders are also agile. They are able to make quick decisions, respond to challenges, and navigate uncertainty with ease. They are proactive, not reactive, and are always looking for ways to stay ahead of the curve.
Cognitive flexibility: Great leaders are able to see things from multiple perspectives and consider a range of options before making a decision. They are open-minded, able to think critically, and able to consider different viewpoints.
Coaching capabilities: Great leaders are not only focused on achieving their own goals, but also on helping their team members grow and succeed. They are skilled at coaching, mentoring, and developing their team members and are able to provide feedback and support in a way that helps individuals grow and reach their full potential.
In conclusion, these eight must-have leadership traits are essential for current and future leaders to succeed in today’s rapidly changing world. By developing and honing these skills, you can become a confident and effective leader, capable of guiding your team to success.
Lead From Within: The most successful leaders are those who continuously adapt and evolve with the times, never letting their skills and traits become stagnant.
#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 8 Must-Have Leadership Traits For Current And Future Leaders appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 23, 2023
5 Communication Strategies That Will Transform Your Leadership
As a leader, your communication skills can make or break the success of your team and organization. Great leaders know that effective communication is key to building trust, aligning efforts towards common goals, and inspiring positive change. On the other hand, poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, damaged relationships, and barriers to progress. That’s why it’s so important to focus on developing your communication skills as a leader.
Here are 5 strategies that can help transform your leadership:
Authenticity matters: Great leaders understand that being genuine and authentic is essential to building trust and creating meaningful connections with their team. When you are authentic, you are showing your team that you are genuine and transparent, and this can help build a strong foundation of trust and respect.
Listening is powerful: Good leaders know that listening is a powerful communication tool. When you listen to your team, you show them that you value their input and ideas. Thus, you create an environment where everyone feels heard and respected.
Vulnerability is the new strong: Great leaders understand that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. When you are open and honest about your own challenges and struggles. Consequently, you create a culture of vulnerability and authenticity within your team, which can lead to stronger connections and more effective communication.
Open-ended questions fosters insight: As a leader, it’s important to ask open-ended questions to encourage dialogue and get to the root of your team’s concerns and ideas. Some examples of open-ended questions include: “Tell me more,” “Explain what you mean,” and “Define that term or concept for me.” These open-ended questions can foster critical thinking and deeper insights.
Empathy empowers: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. When you demonstrate empathy as a leader, you show your team that you care about them, you are willing to put yourself in their shoes. This can help create a strong sense of connection and trust within your team, leading to more effective communication and collaboration.
Effective communication is essential for leaders. By implementing key strategies you can transform your leadership and inspire positive change in your team. Take the time to understand and utilize these foundational communication techniques, and you will see the benefits in both your personal and professional relationships.
Lead From Within: The most powerful leadership tool you have is your communication. How you use it can be transformative.
The post 5 Communication Strategies That Will Transform Your Leadership appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 22, 2023
How The Best Leaders Handle Team Conflict Successfully
Conflict is inevitable in any team. It’s how leaders handle it that can make the difference between a successful resolution or a damaging escalation. The best leaders know how to navigate team conflict successfully and emerge stronger as a result.
Here are seven key strategies they use to handle conflict:
Staying neutral: As a leader, it’s important to maintain objectivity and not take sides in a conflict. As a result, this can help to prevent further escalation and encourage the parties involved to come to a resolution on their own.
Identifying the root cause: It’s important for leaders to get to the bottom of what’s causing the conflict. Is it a misunderstanding? A miscommunication? A personality clash? Once the root cause has been identified, it’s easier to come up with a solution.
Encouraging open communication: One of the key ways to resolve conflict is to encourage open and honest communication between team members. Leaders can create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. This can help facilitate healthy discussions to resolve conflicts.
Focusing on the issue, not the person: It’s easy to get caught up in personal attacks and feelings during a conflict. The best leaders stay focused on the issue at hand. By keeping the conversation centered on the problem, leaders can help team members come to a resolution without letting emotions get in the way.
Allowing participants to come up with their own solutions: Great leaders know that the most effective resolutions are often those that are arrived at by the parties involved. They facilitate the conversation, but they encourage the participants to come up with their own solutions. As a result, the team members feel a sense of ownership and pride.
Appreciating the effort: The best leaders appreciate the process of handling conflict and recognize the efforts of their team in doing so. They acknowledge this by showing appreciation for the team’s efforts in handling conflict.
Following up. Once the conflict has been resolved, it’s important for leaders to follow up to ensure that the issue doesn’t resurface. This may involve ongoing communication and check-ins to ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards a common goal.
By utilizing these strategies, leaders can successfully handle any team conflict and help their team emerge stronger as a result.
Lead From Within: Great leaders understand that conflicts are a natural part of any team and are willing to put in the effort to resolve them in a way that promotes harmony and productivity.
#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 Handle Team Conflict Successfully appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 19, 2023
3 Proven Leadership Strategies to Set Your Team Up for Success
Great leaders understand that success is not a one-time event, but rather a result of consistent effort and planning. Unfortunately, most managers and executive leadership teams ignore this sound advice. Instead, they jump from one year to the next without much thought to strategy or planning. As a leader, it’s important to set your team up for success by implementing proven strategies.
Here are three that can make a big difference:
Communication: Great leaders know that it’s not enough to simply create a strategy and roll it out. To keep your team focused on success, it’s important to communicate clearly and consistently. Make sure that your team has a clear understanding of what you expect from them and why it’s important.
Commitment: To achieve sustained performance, it’s essential for leaders to stay committed to their plans and decisions. This means not deviating from the path you’ve set for your team, and instead, sticking to the systems and processes that will help them succeed.
Coaching: All successful leaders know that their team members need the resources and guidance to succeed. As a leader, it’s your responsibility to provide coaching and support to help your team reach their goals. This means being available to answer questions and offer guidance, as well as providing the necessary resources and tools for success.
In conclusion, to set your team up for success, it’s essential to focus on clear communication, commitment to your plan, and providing coaching and support. By implementing these strategies, you can create a strong foundation for sustained performance and team success.
Lead From Within: Successful leaders understand that their team’s success is their own success, and they do everything in their power to ensure that their team is set up for success.
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 3 Proven Leadership Strategies to Set Your Team Up for Success appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
May 18, 2023
7 Things Great Leaders Make Time for Every Day
Great leaders are constantly juggling a variety of responsibilities and tasks, and it’s easy for their time to get away from them. However, it’s important for leaders to make time for certain things on a daily basis in order to be effective and successful.
Here are seven things great leaders make time for every day:
Expanding Knowledge: Great leaders never stop learning, and they make time to continue their own education and development. This might involve reading, attending seminars, or seeking out new experiences.
Expressing appreciation: A leader who takes the time to show appreciation for their team members creates a positive and motivated work environment. This could be through verbal praise or handwritten notes.
Managing availability: Great leaders are accessible and available for their team, and they make time to be approachable. This means setting aside dedicated time for one-on-one conversations or team meetings, and being available for impromptu discussions when needed.
Cultivating strong relationships: Strong relationships are the foundation of any successful team, and great leaders make time to develop and nurture these relationships. This could involve lunch or coffee meetings with team members, or simply taking the time to get to know them on a personal level.
Strengthening communication: Effective communication is essential for any leader, and great leaders make time to stay in touch with their team and stakeholders. This might involve regular team meetings, emails, or even just checking in with team members individually.
Empowering people to succeed: Great leaders empower their team members to succeed by giving them the tools and resources they need, and by providing guidance and support when needed. This means making time to listen to their ideas and concerns, and offering constructive feedback and guidance.
Leading by example: Great leaders lead by example, and they make time to model the behavior and values they want their team to adopt. This could involve setting aside time to work on projects alongside team members, or simply showing up on time and being reliable.
By making time for these seven things, great leaders can ensure that they are effective and successful in their role, and that their team is motivated and inspired to succeed.
Lead From Within: Successful leaders know that every day is an opportunity to make a positive impact and create lasting impression.
#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 7 Things Great Leaders Make Time for Every Day appeared first on Lolly Daskal.
