Developing your unique leadership style

I've read countless books about leaders, but it wasn't until I started to develop my own style that I became someone people would listen to.

What is a style but something you do consistently. What drives consistency but a set of beliefs that guide your actions. People want to get behind someone with strong beliefs that match theirs.

This is how to develop your own style as a leader (or anything):

1. Read about leaders and note what resonates

2. When you have a few, summarize them

3. Write on a piece of paper

4. Hang on your wall and practice

These are mine

1. A leader must have a plan
They’re free to change the plan when circumstances change, but they must always have one.

2. A leader must look ahead
They must see where actions will lead and prevent short term gain to affect long-term goals.

3. A leader must be the keeper and reiterator of the vision
They must communicate and help the team understand and get behind it.

4. A leader must be decisive
A timely wrong decision is better than no decision at all.

5. A leader must care
They must care for their group's well-being and their joint mission.

6. A leader must recognize achievement
They must praise and coach their team to push them to achieve greater things than they thought possible.

7. A leader must be the example
They must be willing to do anything they might ask of someone. There is no task beneath a leader.

8. A leader must be bold
Thinking small is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

9. A leader must be fair and honest
Unfairness and dishonesty at the top demoralizes everyone.

10. A leader must be prepared to be alone
They do not have the luxury of voicing their fears and uncertainties.

11. A leader must never give up
When the leader gives up, the team soon follows.