Ten Pieces of Wisdom for Today's Leaders
Even in new times, some things hold true
As leaders, we’re both seekers and sharers of wisdom. And while times may change, some insights remain as effective as ever. What advice do you turn to when you find yourself in uncharted waters?
Here are a few of my favorite timeless pieces of advice from my work over the past two years with The Leadership Club™. Many of these can be found in our weekly Mastermind recordings and The Leadership Handbook so make sure you explore them further if any resonate with you.
Enjoy!
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1. “Begin with the End in Mind.”
Stephen Covey originally coined this phrase, but my mentor, Mike Good, Chairman Emeritus of Sotheby’s International Realty made it axiomatic for my growth as a leader. Now, no matter what I’m working on - personal or professional goals, projects, or simply preparing for an important conversation, I start with clarity. Before taking action, I visualize in detail what success looks like so I can reverse-engineer the right conversations, tools, and actions to achieve it. Think about this the next time you’re planning growth, whether it’s a new office, inviting new talent in, or evolving your value proposition.
2. “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
Peter Drucker is one of my lifelong favorites, and this one is a staple. You can’t out-plan a toxic culture. Nor will commitment and cohesion last if the culture and the strategy don’t align and empower people to want to execute it. Culture is the invisible hand that shapes how people show up, collaborate, and stay the course. Leaders who model kindness, responsiveness, and transparency will attract agents and partners who do the same with clients.
3. “Managers are the dream keepers.”
I coined this phrase during my recent Manager’s Summer Bootcamp to change the perception of what it means to manage others. Reframe the role and learn to see yourself as someone who helps people exceed their own expectations (video), not just perform certain actions or comply with rules. With a dream keeper at their back, people break the gravitational pull of “good enough” and take advantage of your coaching and confidence as their leader.
4. “Less is more.”
I learned this from Jason Fried, and leverage this gem whenever I’m working with an overloaded leader. Doing less—but better—is a strategy for sustained success. Fewer meetings, simpler tools, and clearer goals create space for creativity and joy. They dramatically raise the quality of your outcomes and make it possible to do the right work, not just lots of work.
5. “Workaholics aren’t heroes.”
Also from Jason Fried, a complementary reminder that burnout isn’t a badge of honor. Leaders who model balance and efficiency give their teams permission to thrive sustainably. They prioritize the health of their organization, not just the productivity of it, and cultivate a culture that rewards practices that permits people to live great careers.
6. “You know it when you see it.”
This is a phrase I use whenever someone asks what the “top traits” leaders should encourage and reward in their teams. Great leadership is visible in the little things that prioritize relationships and value: coordination, anticipation, and care are just as recognizable as profits and timelines. If you want to be a great leader, focus less on control and more on your presence. Notice what matters, and others will notice that you matter.
7. “Nice is a strategy.”
Too few leaders believe in this simple advice, but I wish they would. The endless attempt to conquer “the competition” pushes many leaders into positions where people wouldn’t want to be led by them, regardless of their compensation package. Kindness isn’t fluff—it’s a competitive advantage. People stay where they feel respected, heard, and appreciated — and that means clients do, too.
8. “Stay in your lane, and make it beautiful.”
One of my favorite phrases when doing business planning or strategy (video) with leaders: Not all success looks super-sized. Some companies are perfect when they stick to their mission and make it admirable. Not every company needs to scale endlessly. Excellence in a focused niche often beats mediocrity at scale. The snowflake is just as beautiful as the blizzard.
9. “Management is not a cost center; it’s a growth engine.”
For thirty years I’ve tried to dispel the belief that management is superfluous, especially when costs have to be cut. Talent is simply not self-organizing, nor is it likely to be self-aware enough to consistently improve. The myth that managers are overhead is dangerous. Great managers multiply performance, retention, and reputation. The first thing a customer asks for when things go wrong is the manager. Ask yourself why.
10. “Delight is a growth strategy.”
Plus, it usually costs almost nothing. While some leaders are obsessed with high-cost branding, the simplest things can make the greatest emotional impact on clients and talent. Try making delight—of clients, agents, and staff— central to the work of the leader. Then watch the momentum that spreads that spreadsheets can’t measure.
See you on the next Mastermind Call!