Why Great Leaders Expect Everyone to Be Great

screen-shot-2016-10-09-at-9-10-54-am Great leaders expect greatness from themselves and in turn they challenge others to be great too.

They challenge people to do better, be better and to meet a higher standard.

They do it because settling for substandard, low quality, second rate leadership is not an option.

Great leaders set high standards for their own performance, and for those around them.

Leadership is about service to others, being your best so you can offer your best.

The high standards of great leaders extend beyond the work they do include being a person of character, a leader of integrity and one who inspires the same in those around them.

Here are some of the ways great leaders elevate the standard for themselves and for others:

Establish clarity. Standards reflect values, so before you establish or change them you need to know with certainty what’s most important to you and communicate that with clarity. When you’re clear on values, making decisions becomes much simpler.

Show self-respect. Never lower your standards for anyone or anything. The self-respect that comes with firm standards is everything. Whatever everyone around you is doing, stay true to your ideals. Do what you need to do and do it with meaning and purpose.

Passionately protest mediocrity. “Good enough” are some of the most dangerous words a leader can hear. Nothing great was ever established on a foundation of mediocrity. Always demand more from yourself than anyone else could ever expect.

Never let anyone tell you your standards are too high. There’s nothing wrong with wanting the best for yourself and your team. When you shift your standards you create change—positive change when you raise standards, negative change when you lower them.

Protect your standards. Make sure people know what’s expected, and be consistent in enforcing those expectations. If you allow disrespect, that’s what you’ll receive.

Never apologize for demanding excellence. Never apologize for high standards. Those who rise up to meet them are the ones you want around you; those who try and need help are the ones you can work with; and the ones who reject it aren’t your people anyway.

Lead from within: When it comes to standards, one thing I’ve found to be true: However high or low you place your standards, that’s how far people will rise.

N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R

The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness

After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.

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Photo Credit: Getty Images

Lolly Daskal is one of the most sought-after executive leadership coaches in the world. Her extensive cross-cultural expertise spans 14 countries, six languages and hundreds of companies. As founder and CEO of Lead From Within, her proprietary leadership program is engineered to be a catalyst for leaders who want to enhance performance and make a meaningful difference in their companies, their lives, and the world.

Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.

Great Leadership High Standards Lead from Within Leadership Leadership Development

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33 Responses
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to “Why Great Leaders Expect Everyone to Be Great”

Tommy Strong

11. Oct, 2016

Great article! Leaders who demand excellence, also understand the strengths and weaknesses of their team. By knowing this, they can help the team reach the expected result.

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Janaya Narvaez

12. Oct, 2016

Fantastic article! Greatness can manifest in all divisions and ranks in an organization. A Great customer service call, Great feedback on a proposal or acknowledging & subsequently praising Great efforts. Sharing and spreading these Great acts can uplift an organization immensely.

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Kyle L

12. Oct, 2016

True leaders feel good by bringing others up, not pushing them down to make themselves feel “superior.” Fantastic article! While reading, a video I recently watched about true leaders came to mind. You might like it. I’ll link it at the end. Let me know what you think if you watch it. Keep up the great work! http://blog.jaretgrossman.com/365-video-series/a-true-leader-333/

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Stick War

15. Mar, 2017

Super post! Really nice info, thank you!

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- lollydaskal
  
  15. Mar, 2017
  
  Thank you for visiting my blog. Together we can change the world to recognize great leadership.
  
  Reply to this comment