26 Ways To Break Out the Exceptional Leader In YOU

  I hear from a lot of people these days that they don’t just want to be good at what they do, they want to be exceptional.  According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary that means:

1: forming an exception : rare <an exceptional number of rainy days>

2: better than average : superior <exceptional skill>

3: deviating from the norm

What does it take to be an exceptional leader?  I vote for connection, inspiration, listening more than talking, collaboration… the list could go on and on.  It really boils down to time, commitment, action and effort.  Rather than focusing this post on key qualities I think most of us would agree on, here are 26 ways you can show the world that you truly are committed to being exceptional:

1. Instead of sitting in your office, sit out with the front line employees on the floor or in a cube
2. Hold an All-Hands Meeting where the only agenda is Q&A from the team
3. Ban status update emails for the week and challenge your team to pick up the phone or come into your office to discuss what’s happening
4. Schedule some hip-to-hip mentoring time with all of your direct reports and give them your undivided attention
5. Let someone else facilitate the next team meeting – including developing the agenda
6. Give a really big exciting project to someone on your team with these instructions: “I believe in you!  If you get stuck, or need help, I’m here”
7. Implement two of the most requested ideas from the suggestion box
8. Acknowledge the hard work of individuals on your team in writing and in person.  Let them know exactly what you value & why they are appreciated.
9. Ask for help from the team when you’re stuck.
10. Sponsor a day dedicated to innovation – let people play with ideas, be creative and collaborate on something new and meaningful
11. Stand up for your colleague when you hear someone make a disparaging remark
12. Set the vision but let go of the exact steps people take to achieve it
13. Ask your team member how they want to be rewarded instead of assuming that they’re motivated by the same thing as you
14. Share your ideas in public and private
15. Share your criticisms in private
16. Play “yes and” with all ideas that come your way instead of immediately shooting them down
17. Trust your team to engage on social media and be brand ambassadors
18. Be visible on social media
19. Celebrate successes big and small
20. Close your office door less than 10% of the time
21. Ask all of your direct reports to give you a start/stop/continue as a leader – even if it’s anonymous
22. No direct report?  Ask your colleagues to give you a start/stop/continue – even if it’s anonymous
23. Ask to go to training to build your skills and network
24. Let your teams attend external training and conferences to connect and learn
25. Ask one of your team members to jump on the next industry conference call to represent your brand
26. Ask: “How can I help?”

You have everything you need today to be an exceptional leader.  You are enough and don’t need a title or special permission to unleash the exceptional inside of you.  Think about it… how great would it be if everyone shared your commitment to be an exceptional leader and all of these things on the list became the norm.

What’s your number 27 for this list?  Please share it in the comments below.