Leadership Characteristics – The Humble Leader

Even though it’s been around as a concept for nearly 50 years—and in reality much longer, depending on how you define it—servant leadership has been growing in prominence. Maybe it’s a reaction to the excesses of ego and power in some sectors of business, or an acknowledgement of interdependence.

I suspect that the biggest factor, however, is a growing awareness that it works—and that it leaves everyone involved better off than zero-sum business philosophies where the winners end up on top and the losers don’t matter.

What leadership tips can we learn from “Avengers, Age of Ultron”?

Are you one of the millions who watched the long-awaited, fast-paced, wisecracking, action-packed adventure film, Avengers, Age of Ultron? In satisfying Marvel fashion, the movie is an entertaining blur of beloved action figures, a gripping doomsday plot, spectacular moves, and dazzling special effects. But even more than the hilarious quips between the Avengers cast, I was surprised to notice the film was packed with leadership tips – at least as many as the number of metal suits.

From well-resourced Tony Stark, we see how important it is to be faithful in keeping all your bases covered and a backup ready.

Balancing Boundaries with Work and Life in Leadership

Work-life balance is an idea that’s getting a lot of attention lately. It’s supposed to be a sign of health and good judgment, a new package for the old concept of “having it all.”

The idea of work-life balance is a great one: By being intentional and firm about boundaries, you can carve out protected time for work, family, friends, and for yourself. It is important to learn when to say, “Yes” and when to say, “No.”

Styles of Leadership – Do you Motivate or Manipulate?

Almost any team has one or two absolute go-getters. Whether it’s out of passion, commitment or habit, they’re going to show up half an hour early, probably after a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast, bringing their best ideas and plenty of energy to carry them out.

Other employees need a little push, at least from time to time, and the best leaders are prepared to provide it.

Three Phrases Good Leaders Aren’t Afraid to Use

Pride can keep us from being effective leaders.

For example, here are some phrases that can pose difficulties to many of us when our ego gets in the way. Great leaders, however, understand their importance and master them early on.

Motivational Leadership: Seize and Enjoy the Moment

Time flies! You know how everyone’s always saying, “seize the moment!”? Of course there are others who say, “the moment seizes us.”

Either way, our culture has embedded in us the fear of missing out, or #FOMO as it’s trending now. It drives leaders and employees into continual striving and life with an “every-day I’m hustlin’” mentality.

Good Leaders Don’t Forget The “I” in Team

Have you seen the commercials for the latest movies out on DVD? I would highly recommend McFarland, USA. It’s a sports movie based on a true story and features a group of kids who fall outside the mainstream, a coach with issues, some long odds, and—well, not to give away the ending, but they manage to surprise a lot of people, including themselves.

In this case, the coach (played by Kevin Costner) is a fired high school football coach and PE teacher who finds a job in an impoverished area of central California, where most of his students are from families of impoverished agricultural workers.

Business Leaders Let People Go with “Professional Kindness”

“I hate firing people. My heart always wonders if I could have done more to make it work, or if I should have given them another chance. But my head knows that I cannot run a profitable business AND employ people who don’t meet the standards of the company.”

As harsh as that may sound, that leader is entirely correct. At some point, it becomes obvious that a team member or colleague isn’t making the cut, no matter how many opportunities they are given. And while we tend to look at firing someone in a negative light, it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way for all business leaders.

March Madness, Great Coaching, and Leadership Characteristics

If you follow college basketball, there’s no better time of year than March to see leadership characteristics. There are few sporting events that bring the excitement and drama of the NCAA tourney.

And if you’re someone who thinks about leadership, you may—as I often do—keep a particular eye on the coaching. It’s an area that always seems to draw legendary personalities, from Bobby Knight’s fiery temper to Pat Summitt’s icy stare, from Dean Smith’s fatherly attention to John Wooden’s philosophies.

“Are You Satisfied with Your Care?” A Leadership Lesson from Big Hero 6

Recently it was family movie night at the Kingsley house. We decided to watch Disney’s Big Hero 6, which had just won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.

Aside from being entertaining—which almost goes without saying for a Disney film—Big Hero 6 has some great leadership messages for children. Science is not just a positive force but a cool pursuit, and education and good thinking ultimately solve major problems. The group of brainy young heroes is racially diverse and includes girls as well as boys.

Jeremy Kingsley | Leadership Expert, Inspirational Speaker and Best-Selling Author

Jeremy Kingsley