I am creating this series around what is core to great leadership so when leaders ask themselves ‘What am I missing? What and how can I do things differently?’ the answers will be clear.

Leaders that provide sterilized feedback so they don’t hurt someone’s feelings are doing a great disservice to the individual AND the company. The truth matters.

How can new employees feel immediately embraced, cared for, build relationships with ease and learn on the job when most employees are working part or all of the time from home?

Emotional intelligence (“EQ”) is just as vital in the workplace as IQ. EQ has been touted as a critical quality in leaders and healthy cultures.

To enhance one’s EQ, you must first become aware of how your behaviors impact others and then focus on ways to create a supportive environment where others are not afraid to be authentic.

The way you communicate is the key determinant of how others perceive you. High impact communication requires stating your point of view and then ideally providing only one or two supporting points.

Follow the adage ‘treat others as you would want to be treated’ and you’ll have people eager to follow you wherever you lead.

Demonstrating gravitas can impact how others perceive you as a leader. The greater your gravitas, the more likely your colleagues will admire and respect you.

Self-awareness, a quality that many leaders lack. The absence of this can result in disconnected relationships and an inability to inspire others.

During these challenging times, it is even more crucial for employers to find and recruit unicorns to lead their businesses in new directions.

An industry colleague recently shared this article. It captures some of the most salient points about how to be a motivating and inspiring manager.

Joining a board is often viewed as “the brass ring” for leaders. But once you join one, what are some strategies for making sure your board colleagues recognize that they made the right choice?

Uncertainty is unavoidable. As a manager, you need to be prepared to lead your team through murky waters, but doing so requires getting in the right mindset yourself.

When you broaden a discussion to include women, the perspectives will broaden as well. Women think differently than men and inclusivity ensures you get well-thought-through outcomes.

I often hear from women leaders what their employees most praise them for: they put the employee first, show they care about their needs and development, and are adaptable because ‘one size doesn’t fit all’.

Life is easier when we adjust our perspective.

Tammy Jersey - executive search expert and well-known ‘unicorn hunter’ - shares with us how she finds ‘corporate unicorns’. They are highly sought after for their unique superpowers, and hence, they are difficult to obtain! Tammy and her team know how to reel these marvels in.

As leaders, our patience and tolerance are tested more during times of crisis. Our usual ways of operating have had to change, and we are hunkering down for the long haul.

I often advise new CEOs to become curious about what others are thinking. This helps team members feel engaged and embraced and it will confirm your ability to lead without arrogance.

Demonstrating decisiveness and clarity of thought provides assurance to anxious employees. It’s crucial that their leader has a North Star to help everyone navigate.