Admired Leadership Field Notes

Admired Leadership Field Notes offers concise, practical wisdom for enhancing leadership skills across business, family, and social circles. It emphasizes the importance of respect, decision-making, appreciation, communication, accountability, and personal growth, aiming to foster successful, trustworthy, and effective leaders.

Leadership Development Personal Growth Team Building Communication Strategies Decision Making Conflict Resolution Relationship Building Accountability Workplace Culture

The hottest Substack posts of Admired Leadership Field Notes

And their main takeaways

A Handful of Great Decisions Drown Out All of the Bad Ones

2849 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
  1. Making a few great decisions can outweigh many bad ones.
  2. Quality decisions about people are foundational to success and happiness.
  3. Choosing the right people has the most impact on satisfaction and success.

The Power of Appreciation or Not

2594 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
  1. People need to be told and shown that they are appreciated.
  2. Even top performers can feel undervalued without explicit appreciation.
  3. Leaders must express appreciation through words and deeds to resonate with their team.

Small Signs of Respect Tell People You Honor Relationships

2908 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
  1. Small signs of respect are crucial in building positive relationships, especially when values are unknown.
  2. Respect given through small gestures reflects how we see ourselves and our view of others.
  3. Distinctive signs of respect, even in new relationships, show that the other person is significant and deserving of attention.

True Advocates Don’t Let Others Bad Mouth You

2496 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
  1. True advocates stand up against badmouthing and passive-aggressive behavior in a team.
  2. Great teams openly address disagreements in direction or leadership style.
  3. Teams perform best when there is trust, open communication, and support for each other.

Why Good Working Relationships Sour and End When They Didn’t Need To

2319 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
  1. Good working relationships can sour and end due to unresolved conflicts and unspoken issues.
  2. It's important to address bad behavior or poor choices early on to prevent a downward spiral.
  3. Open communication about both positive and negative feelings is crucial for maintaining strong relationships.
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Holding Yourself Accountable Is Easier With a Buddy

2279 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
  1. Holding yourself accountable is easier with an accountability partner.
  2. Repetition is important for turning intentions into habits.
  3. Select a trustworthy buddy who will support and motivate you in maintaining new habits.

On Winning Versus Succeeding

1336 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
  1. Winning and succeeding are different - success comes before winning.
  2. Success is about self-improvement and achieving goals through effort.
  3. Focusing on success over winning leads to personal satisfaction and increases the likelihood of winning.

Learning to Ask for Help

1867 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
  1. Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
  2. Successful leaders know the importance of seeking assistance from others.
  3. Practice asking for help regularly to strengthen this skill.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

1808 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
  1. Working remotely has benefits like saving time and being flexible.
  2. Remote and hybrid workers may face challenges like missing out on important projects and receiving less feedback.
  3. Relationships and human connections are crucial for success in the workplace, and remote work can impact relationship building.

When Consensus Decision-Making Strangles an Organization

1238 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
  1. Consensus decision-making can be beneficial for collaboration but may lead to indecision in some organizations.
  2. Assigning a Decision-Maker for major decisions can prevent stagnation and ensure timely actions.
  3. Having a designated Decision-Maker empowers teams to reach common ground and move forward with decisions.

Concentrated Focus and Repeat-Back Messages

1709 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
  1. Intense focus on a task can lead to missing out on important messages from others.
  2. Highly skilled individuals may unintentionally ignore instructions when deeply concentrated.
  3. Leaders can prevent misunderstandings by requesting confirmation through repeat-back messages.

Schedule a Conversation Instead of a Meeting

1867 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
  1. Consider scheduling conversations instead of meetings for more natural and productive interactions.
  2. Conversations allow for genuine exploration of issues and mutual understanding among participants.
  3. Limiting the number of participants in a discussion to create a conversation can lead to more value and meaningful exchanges.

How a Leader Spends Money Tells You Who They Really Are

1650 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
  1. How a leader spends money reflects their true priorities and values.
  2. Leaders' spending choices can impact how they are perceived by others.
  3. Money is a tool for leaders to live their values and invest in what matters most to them.

Where Else Would You Like to Be?

2004 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
  1. Finding your calling means your work becomes your passion and you never really retire.
  2. Passion for excellence isn't something you just find, it's something you bring to everything you do.
  3. Commitment to perfecting a craft can lead to your work defining who you are.

Learn to Respond Instead of React

1415 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
  1. Reacting is impulsive and instinctual, while responding is intentional and thoughtful.
  2. Leaders are expected to respond thoughtfully rather than react emotionally.
  3. Good leaders ask critical questions before reacting to handle situations effectively.

Giving Others What They Need to Save Face

1159 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
  1. People often try to save face by explaining their actions and choices positively.
  2. Understanding self-image and face can give leaders an advantage in shaping reactions.
  3. Good leaders offer explanations and positive intentions to help others maintain their self-image.

Momentum and the Gambler's Fallacy

1022 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎾 Sports Analysis Performance Strategy Trends Statistics
  1. Momentum in sports can lead to a shift in energy and positivity, affecting the outcome of a game.
  2. Even though statistical experts claim momentum is not real and linked to the gambler's fallacy, it is a common occurrence in sports that can impact a team's performance.
  3. Teams that effectively harness momentum by maintaining a streak of positive outcomes have a higher probability of winning, as seen in data analysis of NFL games.

What Are Your Hands Saying to People?

1100 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
  1. Hands communicate meaning quickly and effectively.
  2. Pointed fingers convey accusation or emphasis.
  3. Open palms signal invitation, request, or understanding.

Working With a Trusted Advisor

982 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
  1. Top performers seek out advisors or coaches to gain a competitive edge.
  2. Trusted advisors provide candid feedback and practical solutions to help leaders improve.
  3. A good coach offers the unvarnished truth and plays a unique role in unlocking a leader's potential.

Sharing Best Practices Across Teams

1592 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
  1. Good leaders seek best practices from anywhere.
  2. Introducing new practices energizes and improves teams.
  3. Organizations benefit when leaders share best practices and collaborate.

If You Must Punish, Design Punishments That Make People Better

1493 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
  1. Penalties are better than punishments because they remind people of standards.
  2. Punishments should be fair, reasonable, and proportional to the infraction.
  3. Great punishments make people better by teaching a lesson and adding value to their skills.

Leaders Are Great Students of Cause and Effect

1533 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
  1. Leaders need to understand cause and effect to shape the future
  2. Good leaders avoid presuming cause without validation from others
  3. Exploring multiple causes using tools like Fishbone Diagram helps identify root issues

Communicating Honestly in Times of Uncertainty

1081 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
  1. In times of uncertainty, communicate with honesty and confidence.
  2. Be transparent about what is known and unknown to reassure your team.
  3. Encourage questions, provide guidance, and show appreciation for trust to build credibility and trust.

Do Good Leaders Ever Act Aggressively?

963 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
  1. Assertive leadership is different from aggressive leadership.
  2. Good leaders are respectful of others and avoid acting aggressively.
  3. Aggressive behavior can damage credibility and relationships.

A Speedometer for Change

825 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
  1. The pace of change influences resistance and acceptance.
  2. Change in organizations is a mix of fast and slow elements.
  3. Leaders should adjust the speed of change based on how the organization responds.

Penalty Is Better Than Punishment

1297 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
  1. Penalties involve losing something you already have, while punishments require engaging in something undesirable.
  2. Penalties communicate what standards can't be violated, reinforcing rules and values effectively.
  3. Establishing clear penalties for rule violations leads to better behavior reinforcement than relying on punishments.

When It Comes to Rewards, the Longer the Delay, the Less the Perceived Value

825 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
  1. Delaying rewards can decrease their perceived value over time.
  2. Leaders should consider breaking up rewards into smaller pieces and awarding them throughout the year.
  3. Motivating with intrinsic factors like skill development and purpose can offset the negative effects of delayed rewards.

Soft Yes and No Cultures

884 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
  1. Soft Yes and No cultures can be problematic when decisions are seen as optional or negotiable.
  2. Teams in these cultures may struggle with alignment, revisiting problems, and executing plans.
  3. Setting clear decision standards and confronting those who don't adhere to them is crucial in such environments.

Winning Over Peers Before You Need Them

884 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
  1. Peers can be hesitant to help unless they see a benefit for themselves.
  2. Sharing valuable information with peers creates a foundation for collaboration.
  3. Building relationships with peers through reciprocity and information sharing is key for future support.

Choices Only You Can Make

884 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
  1. You alone get to choose your core values and principles.
  2. Only you can decide your daily priorities.
  3. The commitments you make in life are solely up to you.

The Fear of Success

766 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
  1. Fear of failure can be a motivating force for personal growth and success.
  2. The fear of success can hinder performers from reaching their highest potential.
  3. The fear of success leads to self-sabotage to avoid the pressure and expectations that come with continued success.

I Can’t Do That But I Can Do This

805 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
  1. Leaders need to learn to say 'no' more often to focus on their own priorities.
  2. Replacing a 'no' with an alternative offer can soften the response.
  3. Offering an alternative choice when rejecting a request shows thoughtfulness and support.

Going Last Increases Your Luck

1159 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
  1. Judges often favor the last performance due to the Recency Effect
  2. Going last increases the chance of being selected or receiving higher marks
  3. Choosing the last spot in a competition can improve your chances of success

True Genius Expresses Itself in Multiple Mediums

1022 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
  1. True genius can express itself in various mediums, not just one.
  2. What sets true genius apart is its ability to solve diverse problems using unique insight.
  3. Geniuses like Bob Dylan and Paul Newman showcase their brilliance in multiple forms, impacting the world in extraordinary ways.

Motivating People to Fully Engage

845 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
  1. Completing tasks requires focus and effort.
  2. Good leaders engage team members to boost commitment and effort.
  3. Encouraging involvement and ownership leads to higher engagement.

Don’t Allow Team Members to Delegate Up

845 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
  1. Team leaders should not allow team members to delegate tasks upwards.
  2. Leaders need to set clear boundaries and not let team members exploit their weaknesses.
  3. Good leaders delegate downwards, supporting but not taking on the tasks of others.

How Would You Describe Yourself in One Word?

805 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
  1. Self-awareness is crucial in understanding your strengths and weaknesses.
  2. Personal growth involves bridging the gap between who you are and who you want to be.
  3. Describing yourself in one word can reflect your level of self-awareness.

What Percentage of Your Life Outcomes Do You Control?

668 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
  1. Beliefs about control influence how we perform at work.
  2. Having an internal locus of control leads to higher job satisfaction and performance.
  3. Beliefs about control can impact how well we fit into an organization's culture.