The Measure Of A Leader

Ask a hundred people what great leadership looks like and you will probably get a hundred different answers.

But there’s only one truly important answer, and that’s the one that comes from within you.

As leaders, we need to hold ourselves accountable as we do others.

To accomplish that, we must assess our leadership from time to time.

Think of what kind of leader you want to be and then measure yourself against these questions: Do your actions express your true character?

Do your actions express your true character?
Do you lead by your values and your beliefs?
Do you focus on what is important?
Do you admit when you make mistakes?
Do you take responsibility when you are wrong?
Do you blame others for your mistakes?
Do you hold yourself accountable for your actions?
Do you lead with humility as much as influence?
Do you work on your leadership skills?
Do you make time for self-reflection?
Do you take responsibility for your leadership?
Do you work on your own leadership development?
Do you measure up to who you want to be? If not, what will you do about it?

When you take the time to see how you measure up, you are opening yourself up to new opportunities for change and growth.

When you increase your capacity for self-awareness and self reflection, you increase your capacity for meaningful purpose.

Measuring ourselves, assessing our actions, evaluating our behavior—these things offer us endless opportunities to begin doing things differently.

Lead From Within: Great leadership is not something we experience, it is something we create—and that is why we must always see how we are measuring up.

[box]Lolly Daskal is the president and Founder of Lead From Within a consulting firm specializing in executive leadership coaching and customized leadership programs. Connect with Lolly Daskal.[/box]

Additional Reading:

Photo: ShutterStock

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.

Lead From Within Leadership Leadership Character Leadership Influence Leadership Mistakes Leadership Responsibility Leadership Skills Measure Up Personal Development

Warning: Use of undefined constant woothemes - assumed 'woothemes' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /srv/www/daniel.0001.ro/lollydaskal-wp-live/wp-content/themes/lolly-daskal/comments.php on line 23

Warning: Use of undefined constant woothemes - assumed 'woothemes' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /srv/www/daniel.0001.ro/lollydaskal-wp-live/wp-content/themes/lolly-daskal/comments.php on line 23

Warning: Use of undefined constant woothemes - assumed 'woothemes' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /srv/www/daniel.0001.ro/lollydaskal-wp-live/wp-content/themes/lolly-daskal/comments.php on line 23
15 Responses
Warning: Use of undefined constant woothemes - assumed 'woothemes' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /srv/www/daniel.0001.ro/lollydaskal-wp-live/wp-content/themes/lolly-daskal/comments.php on line 23
to “The Measure Of A Leader”

Panteli Tritchew

30. Dec, 2014

Many of us avoid weigh scales because they don’t lie. If we ask ourselves the questions you post, we step 13 times on the scale. Measurement and metrics; counting and accountability.
As you say, Lolly, there are many answers for what leadership might mean, “ But there’s only one truly important answer, and that’s the one that comes from within you.”
“Go to your bosom; Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know. ” William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure.
Best wishes for 2015!

Reply to this comment
- lollydaskal
  
  30. Dec, 2014
  
  I always look forward to your insights and thoughts, they ALWAYS add so much depth to my thoughts, it is like you go a level deeper and for that I THANK YOU. Wishing you the best for 2015!
  
  Lolly
  
  Reply to this comment
Ace-Nectar

30. Dec, 2014

Approaching any problem -large, small, insignificant or truly earth shattering – requires the same focus, care, tenderness & motivating force which you seem to be able to conjure up at Will, Ms. Daskal.

Mr. Tritchew’s observation is accurate in so far as fear of self-discovery is present/apparent in any Human Being, but again, just like all of the comments on this site, the insight provided, just like “The Measure of Leader” article above, are inspiring on many levels.

This may be the last call for 2014, though I cannot be sure, so I’ll wish you all a Productive, Prosperous & Peaceful New Year…well, at least until the next post.

Thank you, once again Ms Daskal for sharing words that uncover pearls…

God Bless
Ace-Nectar

Reply to this comment
- lollydaskal
  
  30. Dec, 2014
  
  Thank you Ace for your well wishes for the New Year. I wish you the same and more.
  
  Panteli is an astute,smart and gifted leader who’s insights are always valuable.
  
  Thank you
  
  Lolly
  
  Reply to this comment
Don Jensen

30. Dec, 2014

Lolly,
I just wanted to say, as I’m doing my 2014 evaluations of myself and looking forward to 2015. Your posts have been inspirational in my re-energizing of my life goals. The real estate crash of 2008-10 financially crushed me and also took an emotional toll on me personally. I have been slowly climbing out of the wreckage. I have restarted my real estate consulting business and entrepreneur endeavors. Thank you for being part of my story. Have a wonderful 2015 and keep up the good work.

Reply to this comment
John R. Bell

30. Dec, 2014

There is another side to this. When one embraces the principles of great leadership, they become a better person.

Reply to this comment
Bill

31. Dec, 2014

Great article, Lolly! Keep em coming! Lead from within and I don’t know if you have heard of Eric Butterworth the author of Discover the Power Within You? His quote harmonizes with your work. True success has more to do with inner overcomings than outward achievements. Keep up the good work the world is asking for it!
Blessings!
Bill

Reply to this comment
Jan Duniewicz

31. Dec, 2014

Thank you Lolly for this inspirational article, questions and… this picture of the heart shaped measuring tape.

Along with your list of self-assessing questions, my most important questions of “The Measure of a Leader” are:
• What is the impact and what is the ripple effect (!) of my leadership “values and beliefs”, and of my actions on humanity, on nature, on the world?

With this New Year arrival, I wish you and your beloved ones to feel never-ending love within you and around you.
:-))) Jan.

Reply to this comment
Sam Obeng Tuudah

01. Jan, 2015

1. Someone who gets things done through people
2. Someone who takes initiatives
3. Someone who has foresight/Pro-active management
4. Someone who is a leader – likeable, friendly, respected and listened to
6.Someone who is accountable/responsible
7. Someone willing to change and adjust to prevailing circumstances
8. Someone who takes corrective actions, etc.

“Leadership is not a position. It is a combination of something you are (character and strengths) and some things you do (competence).” Ken Melrose, Chairman & CEO – Toro Co
“I forgot what I was taught; I only remember what I have learnt.” Patrick White

Reply to this comment
Werner Berger

02. Jan, 2015

Great article to highlight some of the key elements of Leadership.
McKinsey recently published a report stating that North America spends $121B (yes a ‘B’) on leadership training. From everything we know, this has little impact, especially when you measure it against the number of people who hate their job; of course, it’s not the job they hate, it’s the boss or the bosses.
The key: Leaders can not be “trained,” they can only be developed. Fortunately, we now are starting to implement more and more mechanisms for achieving this in shorten time frames and much more reasonable costs.
Thanks Dolly for raising the bar !

Reply to this comment
Michael Bryant

02. Jan, 2015

Thanks for your daily inspirational messages! I’m a newly appointed pastor serving in the inner city, thanks for sharing from the heart!

Reply to this comment
OBA

07. Jan, 2015

I recently stumbled on your site Lolly and i must confess that it has indeed been an eye opener,especially with the simplicity with which you pass your post across. I look forward to more insights frim the platform to become a change agent in my circle of influence.
Thanks Dolly for lead from within.

Reply to this comment
Eddie Lau

15. May, 2015

Thanks Lolly for your thoughts, great article !
It is true. If you can’t answer the 13 questions, you are not leading by example.
I remember a quote from the CEO of Haier (one of the biggest electrical appliances company in China), Zhang Ruimin “If we don’t challenge ourselves, someone else will”. It is that we strive better from ourselves before we can strive for excellence from others.

Reply to this comment
Shoshan Shacham

02. Aug, 2015

Great definitions for Leadership,
Thanks
Shoshan Shacham
Israel

Reply to this comment