Being a Leader Isn’t Binary

Photo by Matteo Vistocco on Unsplash

Most of us think we have to make a difficult, binary choice between being a good person or being a tough, effective leader.

This is a false dichotomy.

In truth, doing hard things is often the most human thing to do.

I think that there are two key ingredients — wisdom and compassion — and it takes learning and practice to lead with both, as well as some unlearning of conventional management habits.

There are four important techniques you can apply in being a wise, compassionate leader:

👏 Remember the Golden Rule

👏 Listen intently

👏 Ask yourself how you can be of benefit

👏 Stretch people to see their potential.