“The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.”  ~John Maxwell

Defining an Extraordinary Leader

The question of what defines an extraordinary leader has been argued back and forth for centuries. In some ways what determined the greatness of a leader was determined by the culture and the need at the time. For instance, some leaders were all about military advancement and empire building (think Alexander the Great), others were all about moral and social transformations (think Mahatma Gandhi), and still others were about nation-building or statesmanship (think Abraham Lincoln).

So when it comes to defining extraordinary leadership in today’s business world, in some ways the examples may differ significantly, while in many ways the values or characteristics are the same.

Below is a list of 11 truths extraordinary leaders know. I believe these are some of the things that separate the supervisors, managers, and average leaders from those that are extraordinary! And while the list is incomplete, these truths form a strong foundation for defining an extraordinary leader:

11 Truths Extraordinary Leaders Know:

1. Poor leadership is still the number one reason  people leave an organization, so they consistently strive to influence others to be the best version of themselves.
2. When an average leader is leading their people, the people say, “Look at what our leader has done.” When an extraordinary leader leads their people, the people say, “Look at what we have accomplished!”
3. Leaders who are blinded and have no vision believe their leadership is all about them. Leaders with vision believe their leadership is all about their people!
4. 50% of all leaders take leadership positions for the compensation, extraordinary leaders know that leadership is a calling and therefore they get a sense of significance and purpose from being a leader.
5. They will always have the opportunity to learn more or something new. The day they feel they have nothing left to learn is the day they need to stop being a leader.
6. The skills needed to be a great individual contributor differ greatly from the skills needed to be a great leader. Therefore, they invest in leadership development for themselves and their leaders in order to learn the skills needed to more effectively lead and influence others.
7. Being an Extraordinary leader is not something you do, as much as it is someone you be.
8. The biggest factor getting in their way of being an extraordinary leader is their ego!
9. At times, they must be willing to turn their backs to what is popular, safe, and comfortable, and instead walk the path alone because they are called to follow a different path.
10. They do not want to be revered, they want to be respected.
11. They will not be trusted nor respected if they do not first trust and respect their people. This must be demonstrated in both words and actions.

Choose To Be An Extraordinary Leader

The process to become an extraordinary leader begins as soon as you decide that you want to be an extraordinary leader. After that, it is comprised of each and every decisions you make to go outside of your comfort zone and apply the ten truths from above. Yes, there are more truths but these are a good place to start.

Let me leave you with this final thought…

Every day you are presented with the opportunity be an extraordinary leader, to influence others to do or to be their very best so they can become the best version of themselves.

Please choose and choose wisely!

Till next time!

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