Can Your Leadership Skills Stand the Test of Time
Rich Baron • October 6, 2023
Great Leadership Skills are Time Tested and True
Think of someone you know who is a great leader. Someone that you admire and can see yourself following. Someone whose leadership skills and abilities changed the outcome of great companies, battles, countries, and in some cases, millions of their followers. Once you think of those leaders, think about the qualities they possess that make them capable and qualified to lead organizations, or even countries through difficult times.
One of these great leaders that I admire is Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. His teachings and ideas have held strong for more than 150 years. He was an uncharacteristic leader for his time, perhaps even more so for our time, yet his leadership principles and teachings are as relevant today as they were then.
Today, many will tell you that the concept of leadership has changed. Yes, the business world has changed, requiring leaders to learn new skill sets continually. However, the basic principles of great leadership have not changed and remain time-tested and true. If you think back to the question that was asked regarding those great leaders that you admire, I can tell you without hesitation that they all had one thing in common - they all had a solid foundation of leadership skills that could stand the test of time.
Building a Leadership Foundation
No leader wants to be a flash in the pan or ask themselves, “What if?” That question alone rings with regret. One that may have come from years of neglecting your leadership development, making the excuse that there was not enough time, or realizing after years of struggle that your leadership abilities were not on par with your personal view of yourself. Even worse is watching great leadership talent leave your company because you did not take the time to develop them as a result of similar excuses.
If any of these reasons ring true for you, you must change your mindset! The fact is that it is never too late for leadership development. I have coached several leaders from those who are just starting their careers, to seasoned CEOs in their 60s. Each of them understands that developing and continually improving those time-tested leadership skills is the foundation that every leader must build for themselves. So let's take a closer look at some of those skills that truly great leaders possess.
- They Never Stop Learning - Great leaders continuously hone their skills, and learning new methods to lead is a critical component of time-tested leadership.
- They are Great Communicators - You can have the greatest idea, or corporate vision in the world, but if you can’t communicate that vision to your teams, how can you expect them to be effectively engaged? If you can not communicate, or fail to do so altogether, your influence and impact will be greatly diminished.
- They Surround Themselves With Talented People – We are all better leaders when we have talented people on our team than when we do not.
- They Produce When It Matters Most – They understand the purpose, vision, and mission of the organization and can consistently produce results that will have a positive impact on the entire organization.
- They are Versatile and Well-Timed - Great leaders are versatile and have developed multiple leadership styles. Every situation is different and knowing when, and how to use these skills is a critical component of effective leadership. One size does not fit all!
- They Continually Meet Expectations – If you continually miss expectations, you will not last as a leader. This includes personal expectations as well as those that require great teamwork.
- They Align with Organizations that can Stand the Test of Time – There are so many organizations that fail to use the talent and energy of those people in their organizations. The proof of this lies in the fact that 75% of organizations flat-out fail to transform in time of need. The reason is simple - poor leadership. Who you align with speaks volumes about yourself.
- They are Patient Leaders – There is an epidemic in our world today with leaders who fire people or end projects simply out of boredom or impatience. These leaders continually harm long-term progress and short-circuit their organization’s growth. Our ability to lead patiently requires us to manage the situations in which we find ourselves. Great leaders take the time to truly understand the situation and establish the facts.
- They Have Great Relational Skills – To last as a leader, people must enjoy being around you. They'll want to follow you and emulate your leadership skills. It is contagious to want to be around great leaders. This does not mean that you spend your time inspiring and supporting silos or those special manager cliques.
- They Operate Within A Team Concept – Leaders are only as good as the people that surround them. These are the people who recognize the importance of great teams and can effectively engage those teams to drive the success of the organization.
- They Value Preparation – Preparation is always embedded in hard work. Leading is not for the faint of heart, or those struggling with imposter syndrome. Leadership requires hard work, focus, dedication, and years of experience to succeed. Preparing for the future through continuous personal development is key.
- They are Humble – Prideful, arrogant, narcissistic leaders will not stand the test of time. Enough said here.
- They are Persistent – Lasting leaders simply show up day after day, year after year. They encourage and motivate those around them to do the same. Legacy is built this way and there are no shortcuts. Never has been and never will be.
- They are Vulnerable - Deciding to be vulnerable is perhaps the most difficult thing a leader can do. Disrupting your life to make a change is hard. However, nothing comes from nothing. It takes effort to accept the challenge to do better, be better, and have better outcomes.
- They Inspire Confidence in Others – What is the one thing that all leaders want, and must inspire in those around them? Confidence.
- They Improve One Day at a Time – Great leaders truly understand the concept of the 1% rule. That is, 1% better than we were yesterday. However, it is just as easy to start that backward slide by not focusing on our goals, and developing lasting processes to get us there.
- They Value Character and Integrity - These values come from your inner core. They are the true elements of who you are as a person and leader. Your inner core values impact everything that you are, and everything you do as a leader.
Wrapping Up
Leadership is not a static concept, but rather a continuous journey of growth and development. By focusing on developing the important traits mentioned above, such as self-awareness, empathy, communication, and integrity, you can become a more effective and inspiring leader.
The same applies to coaching as in medicine - prescription before diagnosis is malpractice. Knowing where you start is key to effective personal development. Executive coaching can provide valuable insights and guidance to help you identify areas for improvement and create a plan for personal growth. By investing in your development, you will not only enhance your leadership abilities but also positively impact those around you. Take the first step today and start building the foundation for a legacy of leadership that will endure for years to come.
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About the Author
Rich Baron serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Director of the Global Coaching Project at John Mattone Global, where he also holds the title of Master Certified Intelligent Leadership Executive Coach. With over 30 years of rich experience in cultural transformation, operational leadership, executive roles, and coaching leaders at every level—from emerging talents to seasoned CEOs—Rich has a demonstrated track record of success.
Rich co-hosts "Mainline Executive Coaching ACT," a podcast that is recognized by Feedspot as the leading Executive Coaching Podcast worldwide. The podcast's acclaim is based on an evaluation of numerous factors, including web traffic, social media followers, and timeliness. It boasts an impressive following in more than 85 countries and over 850 cities globally.
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