True Leaders

When I worked at a big bank, one of their leadership principles had always been put at the top of the website. These were said by the then-CEO of the bank's consumer department during the 2008 financial crisis. I find those words very inspiring, and I look back at them often.

In tough times, quality leaders distinguish themselves. They display:

Sense of Urgency

• Focus on outcomes - Drive results
• Are highly productive - They work hard
• They destroy barriers to success

Resiliency

• Anyone can deliver in good times; they deliver in tough times
• They don't transmit stress to their people
• They get back up when a tough day has knocked them down
• They stay focused on solutions; anyone can raise problems

Emotional Intelligence

• Are highly self-aware
• Fully understand the impact they have on others
• They give clear, actionable, direct feedback
• They don't avoid issues, or blame others