Twenty Thoughts on Being a Good Leader

These are things I wish I had known earlier in my career.

1. Offer solutions; don't just dump problems on your manager's desk. When you encounter a challenge, take a moment to think of possible ways to resolve it. As a manager, I appreciate when my team approaches issues with proposed solutions rather than just complaints. Show initiative and demonstrate that you are actively invested in solving problems.
   
2. Make your manager's life easier. Spend time understanding your manager's priorities and challenges. Anticipate what they need and offer to take things off their plate when you can. Doing this makes you an invaluable asset to the team and your leader.
   
3. Take on problems and projects no one else wants. Stepping up for tough and unpopular assignments can set you apart from your peers. This is a great way to show resilience, determination, and leadership. Putting yourself in an uncomfortable position will push you to grow and learn.
   
4. It's okay to fail, but don't fail the same way twice. Learning from failure is better than not trying at all. Failing forward is frequently linked to the stories behind great success. Adopting this mindset will teach you to take calculated risks and learn from them.
   
5. Develop strong learning habits. Cultivate a passion for learning by reading, taking courses, or seeking mentorship. A habit of continuous learning is a superpower, especially in the workplace. It allows you to stay relevant and adaptable in your career. It also gives you the confidence to tackle challenging roles and projects.
   
6. Learn how to be resourceful. Humanity's collective knowledge is at your fingertips, so there is no excuse not to be resourceful. Whether a knowledge worker or in the trades, being resourceful means creatively using the available tools and resources. Solve problems by making the most of what you've got. Ten years ago, you could be resourceful by mastering search engines. Today, you should focus on becoming a skilled prompt engineer.
   
7. Be humble and check your ego at the door. Trust and respect need to be earned in the workplace. Entitlement is often paired with a lack of accountability, negatively impacting team cohesiveness and career opportunities. Our house has a framed print that reads, "Work hard and be nice to people." It's that simple.
   
8. Focus on what you can control. By directing energy toward tasks, actions, and decisions within your influence—such as your work ethic, attitude, and problem-solving skills—you improve your performance and reduce stress and frustration. Worrying about things beyond your control, like organizational changes or others' decisions, wastes mental energy and can create anxiety.
   
9. Become data literate. You should know how to interpret and leverage data to make informed decisions, analyze trends, and contribute meaningfully to data-driven discussions. Data storytelling is an essential skill in today's data-driven world. I wrote extensively about data storytelling here.
   
10. Understand the difference between lead and lag measures. Lead measures are proactive actions influencing outcomes (e.g., sales calls), while lag measures reflect final results (e.g., revenue). By focusing on lead measures, teams can actively shape outcomes rather than react to results afterward.
    
11. Speak less and listen with intent. It's harder said than done, and I still catch myself on the wrong side of this equation. As a leader, manager, or team member, active listening creates a more collaborative environment and cultivates more substantial relationships. Try pausing for 3-5 seconds after someone finishes speaking before responding.
    
12. There is no perfect productivity system. There’s no one-size-fits-all productivity system. I’ve tried them all—Building a Second Brain, PARA, Bullet Journaling, GTD, Zettelkasten, and all the tools from paper notebooks to apps like Notion, Obsidian, and Trello. Productivity isn't about finding the perfect system; it's about keeping things simple and using what works best for you. Experiment, adapt, and focus on what helps you get things done—don’t get bogged down in perfecting the method.
    
13. Embrace the inevitability of change. Change in the workplace is inevitable, whether it's new technology or shifting company priorities. You can either resist change, which leads to fear and stagnation or remain flexible and open to change, which leads to new opportunities and growth.
    
14. Take back control of your email inbox and calendar. Create a simple system to manage both. Establish a consistent routine for processing emails (the Superhuman approach works well). Email is meant for efficiency, not clutter—check out Microsoft's best practices. Most importantly, block off time to focus on your calendar and fiercely protect it—it’s the best move for your productivity.
    
15. Spend more time on hiring decisions. Hiring someone after a few hours of conversation is shortsighted and won’t reveal a candidate’s true fit. I spend more time on the hiring process than most, resulting in better hires, lower turnover, and higher-quality work. Quick decisions invite bias, so slow down—hiring is a critical decision worth the extra effort.
    
16. Be prepared to explain your role in two minutes or less. Being able to quickly and clearly articulate your role and impact is an underrated but essential communication skill. You’ll be surprised how often you use it in casual conversations or networking events.
    
17. Content is king, but design is the crown that makes it shine. Design is not just decorative - it's a form of communication. A well-designed document or presentation doesn't just capture attention; it guides it. Thoughtful use of graphics, fonts, and spacing can make or break the intended message.
    
18. Stay ahead of the curve, or get left behind. Being an early adopter of new technology allows you to stay competitive. Learn to use new technology in your job, or risk being left behind. Early adopters gain a lasting edge by integrating technology before it becomes mainstream.
    
19. My two go-to questions as a manager: (1) Do you want to lead people, or would you rather specialize in your field? (2) If I could assign you one project that would excite you, what would it be? These questions give me clear insight into how to align their work best and support their growth.
    
20. Don't be an asshole. Don't be a credit stealer, a constant complainer, a know-it-all meeting monopolizer, a gossip spreader, an empire-building hierarchy chaser, or a micromanager. Avoid drama, put your head down, and work hard.