What’s Your Leadership Philosophy in Three Words?
Distilling leadership into sixteen potent words, we sought the wisdom of CEOs and founders to capture the essence of their guiding principles. From fostering collaborative empowerment to ensuring accountability in the final stretch, explore the fifteen powerful trios that these leaders believe are the keystones of effective leadership.
- Foster Collaborative, Visionary Empowerment
- Prioritize Being Known, Mattering, Included
- Embrace ‘Know the Role’ Philosophy
- Lead With Empathy, Integrity, Collaboration
- Empower With Empathy and Transparency
- Inspire, Empower, Innovate for Success
- Influence Through Leading by Example
- Adapt, Collaborate, Deliver Results
- Be Inspirational, Results-Driven, Supportive
- Empower, Trust, Adapt Leadership
- Support, Inspire, Collaborate Effectively
- Action Inspires Organizational Growth
- Streamline, Analyze, Lead Strategically
- Balance Vision, Action, Adaptability
- Strategize, Focus on Clients, Analyze
- Build Trust, Communicate, Ensure Accountability
Foster Collaborative, Visionary Empowerment
Collaborative, visionary, and empowering.
Collaborative: I believe in fostering a collaborative environment where diverse ideas and perspectives are valued. By working together, we can leverage each team member’s strengths to achieve our common goals more effectively.
Visionary: I emphasize the importance of having a clear vision that inspires and guides our actions. A strong vision helps align everyone towards a common purpose and motivates us to innovate and adapt in a rapidly changing landscape.
Empowering: I empower team members by providing them with the resources, support, and autonomy they need to succeed. Empowerment fosters creativity, ownership, and accountability, enabling individuals to contribute their best work and grow professionally.
Bradford Glaser
President & CEO, HRDQ
Prioritize Being Known, Mattering, Included
Known, matter, included. Leaders who prioritize these three pillars have a culture where their teams thrive. When their teams thrive, the work thrives.
Known: Where team members feel cared about above and beyond who they are as workers.
Matter: Where team members feel their work matters, when they go above and beyond it matters, and when they are not performing, it also matters.
Included: Where team members feel a sense of shared identity and pride, as well as interdependency awareness.
Kris Boesch
CEO, Choose People
Embrace ‘Know the Role’ Philosophy
“Know…the…Role.” These three words are paramount for everyone in a leadership position to always understand and embrace when making leadership decisions and performing leadership duties.
When someone is in a leadership position, they must first understand that they are the same as everyone else in the organization, an employee first. This is the common thread, or more simply put, the tie that binds. From here, we recognize that leadership is a “role,” and every employee has a “role” that is usually specified by their job and/or position within the organization.
To be an effective leader, one must understand the “role” of everyone involved in the task or mission at hand. When formulating leadership steps, the leader must be able to adequately address guidance that pairs with the “role” specific to the employee. If the leadership guidance doesn’t pair with the “role” of the employee receiving guidance, then the leader has “misfired.”
If the leadership strategy is complex and has many moving parts, then each direction should be tailored specifically to the “role” of each person involved. This means that different leadership styles may need to be employed to specifically fit the individual components of the task at hand.
In other words, great leadership is only effective when it syncs with the receiving party. Hence, “Know…the…Role.”
Ed McManus
Author & Leadership Consultant, Relationship Media, LLC
Lead With Empathy, Integrity, Collaboration
My leadership position is encapsulated by three words: empathy, integrity, and collaboration. Empathy ensures that I understand and connect with the needs and concerns of my team and community. Integrity is crucial for building trust and maintaining high ethical standards. Collaboration fosters a sense of accountability and responsibility; it also encourages teamwork and shared success.
Together, these principles guide my decision-making and shape the culture of my leadership.
Jae Allyce
Founder | COO, Prospect
Empower With Empathy and Transparency
Empathy, transparency, empowerment.
These three words capture my leadership style perfectly. Empathy is key because understanding and valuing my team’s perspectives helps build trust and collaboration. Transparency is all about keeping things clear and honest, which keeps everyone on the same page. Empowerment means giving my team the freedom to make decisions and take initiative, which drives innovation and growth. These create a supportive and dynamic workplace where everyone can do their best.
Daisy Cabral
Visionary Founder and CEO, Teami Blends
Inspire, Empower, Innovate for Success
My leadership approach can be summarized as “inspire, empower, innovate.” Inspiring my team to strive for excellence, empowering them with autonomy and resources, and fostering a culture of innovation is crucial for our company’s growth.
One instance where this approach proved effective was during a critical project deadline. By inspiring creativity, empowering decision-making at all levels, and encouraging innovative solutions, we not only met the deadline but also exceeded client expectations.
These three words encapsulate my belief that a motivated and empowered team, supported by a culture of innovation, drives sustainable success and fosters a dynamic work environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to excel.
Aseem Jha
Founder, Legal Consulting Pro
Influence Through Leading by Example
Lead. By. Example.
Nothing will impact your ability to lead more than the example you set. People follow what you do, not what you say. The verb “lead” is an Old English word meaning, “To guide, cause to go with oneself; march at the head of, go before as a guide, accompany and show the way.” Often, leaders just want to tell other people what to do. That is “bossing,” not leading.
True leadership sets the example for others to follow. Leadership (vs. management) is an earned position. When people see that you walk the walk (not just talk the talk), they will follow. Want productive followers? First, ask yourself, how productive are you? Want an organization with trust, accountability, and integrity? Rate yourself in each of these areas. Want people who have resilience, a positive attitude, and a strong work ethic? How do you embody these qualities? Your example will pave the way for others to emulate and follow you, ultimately building additional strong leaders in the process.
Tara Geraghty
Founder, Hey Girl You Can
Adapt, Collaborate, Deliver Results
Adapt, collaborate, deliver.
This leadership philosophy has proven effective in driving sustainable growth and building a resilient organization. By prioritizing adaptability, we remain agile and responsive to new challenges and opportunities. The emphasis on collaboration ensures that we harness the collective intelligence of our team, leading to more innovative solutions and improved decision-making.
Finally, our commitment to delivering results keeps us focused on what truly matters—creating value for our clients, shareholders, and employees. This balanced approach addresses the key elements necessary for success in today’s complex and competitive business environment, enabling us to navigate uncertainties and achieve long-term success.
Emma Sansom
Managing Director, Flamingo Marketing Strategies
Be Inspirational, Results-Driven, Supportive
Inspirational, results-driven, supportive. These three words reflect my leadership style. Being inspirational helps me motivate my team by sharing my own entrepreneurial journey and success stories, creating a vision that drives us forward. Being results-driven ensures that we focus on achieving measurable outcomes, particularly in the high-stakes world of book creation and marketing. Supportive leadership means I provide the guidance and resources needed for my team to excel, fostering a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute.
Mike Fallat
Owner, DreamStarters Publishing
Empower, Trust, Adapt Leadership
My leadership approach: empower, trust, adapt.
These three words encapsulate my approach because they emphasize essential aspects of effective leadership. Empower signifies my commitment to fostering a culture where team members feel empowered to take initiative and make decisions. It promotes a sense of ownership and accountability, which are crucial for driving innovation and achieving collective goals.
Trust is foundational in building strong relationships within the team and with stakeholders. It cultivates an environment where transparency, open communication, and mutual respect thrive, enabling collaboration and creativity.
Adapt underscores the necessity of flexibility and agility in today’s dynamic business landscape. It means being responsive to change, whether in market conditions, technological advancements, or team dynamics, ensuring that our strategies remain relevant and effective.
These three principles not only guide my leadership style but also contribute to a supportive and resilient organizational culture where individuals can thrive, ideas can flourish, and challenges can be overcome with confidence and unity.
Robert Roth
CEO, Quote For Solar Group
Support, Inspire, Collaborate Effectively
Support, inspire, collaborate.
Providing consistent support helps team members feel valued and confident in their roles. It’s about being there to guide and assist, which builds a strong, resilient team. Then, leading by example and motivating others drives enthusiasm and commitment. When I inspire my team, it encourages them to bring their best selves to work and pursue excellence.
Emphasizing collaboration fosters a team-oriented environment where diverse ideas come together. It helps us leverage each other’s strengths and work more effectively toward common goals.
Michael A. Monette
Founder, Office Furniture Plus
Action Inspires Organizational Growth
Inspire through action.
It’s easier to say “make things happen,” but a leader should do their best to set an example that others can emulate through mindful actions. Actions are a byproduct of decisions that are derived from choices. Reflect upon how these choices/options came about because they’re either inspiring people to move forward or causing them to stagnate.
Leaders serve as a valuable source to educate, inspire, and collaborate with contributors within and outside the organization. Good people want to work alongside good people. The latter is a result of leaders who choose to create mission-worthy cultures that align the right mindsets and producers to deliver tangible and intangible inspiration before vested members. This leads the audience to go out and produce their own mission-worthy lives.
Sasha Laghonh
Founder, Sasha Talks
Streamline, Analyze, Lead Strategically
Streamline, analyze, lead.
As CEO, I’ve distilled my leadership approach to these three core principles. Streamlining is about optimizing our processes and operations to maximize efficiency and eliminate waste. In today’s fast-paced business environment, lean and agile organizations have a competitive edge. Analysis is crucial for making informed decisions. By leveraging data and insights, we can identify trends, anticipate challenges, and capitalize on opportunities before our competitors. Leadership is about setting a clear vision, inspiring our team, and steering the company towards our goals with confidence and determination.
These words are important because they create a framework for sustainable success and growth. Streamlining ensures we’re operating at peak efficiency, allowing us to be more responsive to market demands. Analysis provides the foundation for strategic decision-making, reducing risk and increasing the likelihood of positive outcomes. Leadership ties it all together, providing direction and motivation for our entire organization. As CEO, my role is to embody these principles, fostering a culture where every team member understands their importance and applies them in their daily work.
Brandon Thor
CEO, Thor Metals Group
Balance Vision, Action, Adaptability
Vision, action, adaptability.
My leadership approach centers on these three crucial elements. “Vision” is the cornerstone of our journey. It’s about having a clear, compelling picture of where we’re headed and why it matters. This vision inspires our team, attracts talent and resources, and guides our decision-making. “Action” emphasizes the importance of execution. Ideas are valuable, but it’s through decisive and consistent action that we turn our vision into reality. We prioritize getting things done, learning from outcomes, and maintaining momentum.
“Adaptability” is our key to longevity in a fast-changing business environment. It means staying flexible in our strategies, being open to new information, and pivoting when necessary. This adaptability allows us to seize unexpected opportunities and navigate unforeseen challenges.
These three words are vital because they create a dynamic balance. Vision provides direction, action drives progress, and adaptability ensures we remain relevant and resilient. Together, they form a leadership approach that’s both aspirational and pragmatic, enabling us to build and grow a successful, innovative company.
Brandon Aversano
Founder, The Alloy Market
Strategize, Focus on Clients, Analyze
Strategic, client-focused, analytical.
Strategic: Taking a strategic approach ensures that all decisions are aligned with long-term business goals and market trends. This helps in planning and executing initiatives that drive sustainable growth.
Client-Focused: Prioritizing client needs and building strong relationships are crucial in commercial lending. Understanding clients’ unique requirements allows for tailored solutions and fosters trust and satisfaction.
Analytical: Employing a strong analytical mindset ensures a thorough evaluation of financial data and risk factors. This helps in making informed decisions and developing effective lending strategies that balance risk and return.
Gary Hemming
Commercial Lending Director, ABC Finance Limited
Build Trust, Communicate, Ensure Accountability
Trust, communication, accountability.
As a self-storage facility owner, these three words are what guide my leadership. Trust is super important because it helps build a strong team where everyone feels confident in their roles and in each other. When we trust each other, we work better together. Communication is key to making sure we’re all on the same page, which is essential for smooth operations and great customer service. It helps avoid misunderstandings and keeps us focused on our goals. Lastly, accountability means everyone, including me, takes responsibility for their actions. This creates a culture where we can rely on each other and constantly improve.
Bill Pederson
Owner at Lock It and Leave It Storage, Lock It and Leave It Storage
