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I was recently involved in one of the most interesting projects of my career. It involved interviewing a dozen very senior executives, who each kindly allowed me to sit with them for 3 one hour conversations. The focus was on the most important things they had learned about leadership during their careers. These were people who had all started out as professionals in fields such as engineering, law, nursing, police service and IT, and climbed to the top levels of large organizations in the private and public sectors. Six made it to the top executive position. Here is what they said about the insights they had gained along the way. The following points were raised by 7 or more of the 12 leaders, with the most frequently mentioned points listed first.

1. Showing interest in people, respecting their contributions, and treating them well brings out the best in people, and greatly benefits the organization. Leaders who try to dominate and control are badly misguided.
2. Strong leaders are rooted in their values and are respected for standing on principles. This is their reference point during challenging times. Without it they are pushed and pulled by the opinions and pressures around them.
3. Senior leaders need to avoid the trap of becoming arrogant and egotistical. They are there to serve and better the organization.
4. A leader’s success is determined by their team. Smart leaders focus on building and facilitating great teams.
5. Good leaders bring value by finding the solutions and strategies their organization needs. They are often good problem solvers as individuals, but they learn to build teams and organizations that support and encourage innovative solutions.
6. Skilled leaders learn to tap into expertise inside and outside their organization.
7. Leaders are better prepared for the wide ranging discussion and decision making that happens at the executive level if they have a broad base of experience related to the organization and its operating context.
8. A critical function of the leader is focusing people on the challenges and tasks that really matter to the organization’s performance and future.
9. Leaders model high standards in personal work and have high expectations of others.
10. Skilled leaders seek to understand other people’s needs, motivations and priorities.
11. Most of a leader’s ability to get things done comes through their influence, the degree to which they are respected, and the processes they use to engage others, not through position power.
12. People thrive in jobs that are a good fit for their skills, and where their values and passions align with those of their leaders.
13. It is important for leaders to show their human side. Employees want to know that you care about them and the work. Letting people see how you think helps them align with you, and support you.
14. Encouraging challenging and provocative discussion brings out the best ideas and best solutions.
15. As you move up in an organization, it is important to become comfortable working with senior leaders who have aggressive or challenging styles.
16. There is sometimes emotional hardship associated with leadership that can be compounded by personal or family problems.
17. Organizational change is difficult and complex, and often harder than anticipated.
18. It is vital to be trusted by those above you, and to have the trust of those who work for you. When you lose trust, it is very hard to regain.

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