The hottest Leadership Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

Misconceptions About Influence

Suzan's Fieldnotes • 39 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Influence is not about playing politics or being the loudest voice in the room.
  2. Effective influence is about building relationships, knowing your audience, and aligning around goals.
  3. You don't need to give speeches to be influential; strong relationships are key.

The Change Edition

Suzan's Fieldnotes • 39 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Change is constant in business and can be both scary and wonderful.
  2. Leaders play a crucial role in navigating change within organizations.
  3. Interviews and podcasts can provide valuable insights on how leaders deal with and adapt to change.

The presumptive no

Atypical Angle • 39 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Don't let fear of rejection stop you from asking for what you want.
  2. Always start with existing connections when seeking money or referrals.
  3. Reframe your asks as opportunities to increase your chances of success.
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Garbage In, Garbage Out

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
🌍 World Politics Leadership
  1. Fast Communication Loops: In complex operations, keep communication channels direct and rapid to maintain agility and outpace competition.
  2. Don't Compound Mistakes: Avoid making a bad situation worse by questioning decisions and empowering individuals to prevent wasteful actions.
  3. Never Take Advantage of Your People: Ensure that organizational values are upheld to prevent disillusionment and maintain intrinsic motivation among team members.

Personal & Professional Development COURSES

Life Coaching Curriculum & Soft Skills for Leadership • 39 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. The post discusses various topics related to leadership, organizational development, and team motivation.
  2. There are resources available for stress management, unconscious bias, mental well-being, and team building exercises.
  3. Readers can access articles on mental health, trauma-informed leadership, and proactive workplace approaches for positive societal change.

10 Ways for Leaders to Build World-Class, Healthy Teams

PeopleStorming • 39 implied HN points • 30 May 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Create a safe space where team members can take risks, share ideas, and acknowledge errors to encourage collaboration and innovation.
  2. Form diverse teams with varied backgrounds and skills to ignite creativity, challenge norms, and create products that appeal to a wider audience.
  3. Support team members' growth by offering learning opportunities, mentorship, and skill-building, resulting in a stronger and more capable team.

Chapter 7: Recruit Like Crazy (Plus Thoughts on Social Media) | Building YIMBYs of NoVA

Cornerstone • 39 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🚌 Education Leadership
  1. Building a movement requires incremental growth, perseverance, and grit.
  2. Focus on email list growth from the beginning as it plays a crucial role in communication.
  3. Social media can be time-consuming, may not yield significant results, and can negatively impact your mental state. Use it wisely and prioritize real-world relationships.

The Importance of Composure and Perspective

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Maintaining composure and perspective is crucial in leadership roles to guide teams effectively through challenges.
  2. Creating unnecessary urgency and pressure can be detrimental to team performance and lead to compromises on core values.
  3. Leaders should prioritize staying calm and focused in challenging situations to reassure their teams and keep everyone thinking clearly.

Don't Squeeze the Brain

The Radar • 39 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Innovation thrives when the right conditions are set, not randomly. Building expertise through deep understanding is crucial for groundbreaking ideas.
  2. Leaders should model an innovative spirit by encouraging curiosity, asking questions, and creating a culture that champions creativity.
  3. Allowing idle time for reflection and rumination can lead to innovation. Overworking without breaks stifles creativity and hinders ingenuity.

DirectorMoves

DirectorMoves • 19 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Farient Advisors is a consultancy specializing in compensation, performance, and governance.
  2. Multiple changes in director and CEO positions have been observed across various companies.
  3. There has been a notable increase in women serving on boards of companies with market caps over $5 billion since January 1, 2024.

How Can We Lift and Empower Other Women?

QUALITY BOSS • 19 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Leadership
  1. It's important to surround yourself with women who lift you up. They help you see your own strengths and magic.
  2. Women can sometimes compete against each other instead of supporting one another. It’s important to change this behavior and celebrate each other.
  3. We should actively look for ways to empower other women. Even small actions can make a big difference in someone's life.

Sources of Inspiration

Sarah's Newsletter • 139 implied HN points • 05 Apr 22
🕹 Technology Leadership
  1. Listening to discussions and staying informed is key to finding inspiration.
  2. Blogs, newsletters, and podcasts from various individuals and sources can provide valuable insights and provoke thoughts.
  3. Staying connected with data news, conferences, and VC updates can enhance understanding and spark creativity.

The 4 Keys to Leading Today.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 44 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Leaders must focus on excellence by constantly improving their skills and staying relevant. This helps build strong teams and attract success.
  2. Accepting and facing reality is crucial for leaders. They need to address problems honestly to earn trust and guide their teams effectively.
  3. Empathy and vulnerability in leadership are important. Understanding people's feelings and being open about one’s own struggles can foster better connections and teamwork.

Poke the box

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Don't hesitate. Just start working on your ideas without waiting for permission or the perfect plan. The best way to learn is through action.
  2. Failure is not the end; it's just feedback. Each attempt teaches you something valuable, so embrace it and keep trying.
  3. Being an initiator is important. Those who take action and start projects create energy and momentum that benefit everyone.

Is your project on schedule? How do you know?

Respectful Leadership • 54 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. To keep projects on track, it's essential to dig deep into details and understand all aspects involved. This helps find hidden issues before they become problems.
  2. Unexpected challenges will always arise, so having backup plans is crucial. It's better to prepare for potential setbacks than to face surprises later.
  3. Effective project estimates need thorough discussions and clear communication among all teams. This helps ensure everyone understands what needs to be done and avoids over-optimism.

The Nature of a Cage

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Leadership
  1. In restrictive environments, people tend to either comply with rules or defy them. This limits creativity and innovation.
  2. Explaining the reason behind rules can ease feelings of disempowerment and reduce defiance.
  3. To foster innovation, create open spaces with minimal constraints, allowing room for creativity to flourish.

Drivers of success

Tech and Thoughts • 2 HN points • 31 Jul 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Good communication is really important for success. It helps everyone understand each other and work better together.
  2. Having the right information and logistics is key. When things are organized and everyone has the info they need, success comes more easily.
  3. Competence matters, but it shouldn't overshadow other factors like communication and logistics. Balancing all these elements leads to better results.

Thayer Method

Fish Food for Thought • 21 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Many meetings today still follow an old format where one person speaks and everyone else listens. This makes it hard for everyone to share their ideas and really engage in the discussion.
  2. The Thayer Method encourages preparation and active participation from everyone involved. This way, meetings become more about solving problems together rather than just receiving information.
  3. Alternatives to traditional meetings, like sending materials ahead of time and letting people reflect before discussions, can lead to deeper conversations and better decision-making.

What I wish somebody told me during my first year as a manager

Leading Developers • 59 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Don’t try to control everything in your team. It’s important to let your team members take on responsibilities and grow.
  2. Stop complaining about others without taking action. It’s more effective to give direct feedback to those who need it instead of gossiping.
  3. Remember to take a step back and appreciate the progress you and your team are making. Self-reflection can help you see how far you've come.

Flex your color

Wednesday Wisdom • 66 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Understanding different personality types can help improve teamwork. People have different working styles, and recognizing these can enhance collaboration.
  2. The True Colors personality model categorizes people into four colors based on their traits. Each color represents different strengths and weaknesses, which can help individuals understand themselves and others better.
  3. Being aware of your default behavior allows you to adapt to different situations. Flexing your personality traits based on the needs of the moment can lead to better leadership and decision-making.

People.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 60 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Companies can make plans for change, but it's really the people who need to adapt for those changes to happen. If the changes aren't good for people, they won't work.
  2. While technology like AI is important, it's the people using it that will truly make a difference in a business. Great talent and leadership can help a company reimagine itself successfully.
  3. Transforming a company takes time because people change slowly. Companies need to start preparing early for any big shifts in their industry.

Engineering management in the next unicorn app

Leading Developers • 65 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. A great remote team relies on hiring independent and motivated people. This way, there's less need for management and everyone takes ownership of their work.
  2. Launching a product takes time and patience. It's important to experiment and iterate rather than rushing to get features out.
  3. Growing a startup doesn't mean you have to hire a lot of new people right away. Instead, focus on what the market needs before expanding your team.

Fools and Horses

The Radar • 19 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Pushing a team too hard can lead to negative consequences despite short-term gains. Just like overworking horses can lead to their breaking, overworking employees can lead to burnout and reduced efficiency.
  2. Managers should not ignore ethical concerns in pursuit of business results. It's important to prioritize employee well-being over just achieving immediate goals.
  3. Systemic issues like work overload cannot be solved by individual efforts alone. Companies must address root causes and provide adequate resources to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy work environment.

The Dilemma of the Pacifist Lion

Breaking Smart • 21 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Leaders often struggle to balance their desire for peace with the need to show strength. This can lead to awkward situations where they want to appear strong while promoting non-violence.
  2. Actions speak louder than words, especially in tough situations. Doing something significant, like military action, may seem necessary for leaders to prove their strength.
  3. The unpredictable outcomes of bold decisions create doubt, and even those in power may act against their perceived nature to manage expectations and counter narratives about their reliability.

Serving Tea To Nazis

The Ruffian • 276 implied HN points • 04 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. Mandela's approach to negotiation involved humility and charm with adversaries.
  2. Skilled negotiators focus on giving face to the other party, making them feel respected and powerful.
  3. Engaging with adversaries, even those with extreme views, can lead to transformative outcomes and foster understanding.

✨🔍 Yisro 2024

TorahRedux • 19 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Leadership
  1. Humility is important in Judaism; it's not about thinking less of yourself, but dedicating yourself to something higher.
  2. The Torah emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior, such as being honest and not accepting ill-gotten gains.
  3. Showing up and engaging, even in times of uncertainty, is crucial for spiritual growth and connections in Judaism.

Rainbow Onions and Turquoise Gardeners

What's Important? • 17 implied HN points • 02 Aug 25
📖 Philosophy Leadership
  1. There are different stages of human development that help us understand our own growth and where we might be headed. Knowing these stages can help us recognize our patterns and work on ourselves.
  2. Our needs and environment affect our perspective and ability to grow. When our basic needs are met, we can think more openly and empathetically about the world around us.
  3. The shift towards more advanced levels of consciousness is happening at an increasing pace, and it calls for new kinds of leaders who can nurture growth in themselves and others by creating safe and supportive environments.

DirectorMoves

DirectorMoves • 19 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Updates on recent director and CEO moves in various companies
  2. Information about CFO and General Counsel changes in different organizations
  3. Details on notable promotions and resignations in different roles across multiple companies

'ZERO EMPATHY, ZERO SHAME'

Seymour Hersh • 43 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Leadership
  1. The federal budget can be cut more wisely, starting with reducing military spending like the F-35 program, instead of cutting essential services.
  2. Trump believes he has unlimited power as president, which raises concerns about his intentions for another term.
  3. Elon Musk's young team in the Treasury Department may be using their skills in ways that benefit him financially, raising questions about ethics in government contracts.

How Often Should You Visit Your Remote Team?

Kartick’s Blog • 17 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. It's best to visit your remote team for a week every quarter. This helps maintain good relationships and teamwork.
  2. If you're traveling across many time zones, consider staying longer, like 2-3 weeks, to adjust to the time difference.
  3. Regular in-person meetings strengthen connections and improve productivity, so make it a priority to meet face-to-face when possible.

Rhythm and Rest

Anima Mundi • 20 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Leadership
  1. Being a good leader means knowing when to slow down and listen, not just pushing harder. It's about feeling in tune with yourself and your team.
  2. Rest is not a weakness; it's a smart part of growth. Even nature knows it's important to take breaks and not rush all the time.
  3. True progress takes time and care. Sometimes the best ideas come when you pause and allow things to settle in peace.

Buffett, Draper, & Partners

Jay's Data Stream • 23 implied HN points • 06 Jun 25
💼 Business Leadership
  1. Mad Men shows the dark side of success, where the main character struggles with his identity and personal relationships due to his career. It highlights how chasing success can cost us our true selves and loved ones.
  2. Both Warren Buffett and Don Draper show that a drive for success often leads to family neglect. While one character battles addiction, the other realizes too late the emotional distance created by his obsession with work.
  3. Greg Abel, Buffett's successor, represents a new way of balancing work and family life. His choices suggest a shift toward valuing personal connections over pure financial success.