Have you ever noticed that many great leaders – in politics, business, and even your social circles – tend to share many of the same traits? It’s not that they all have the same personality or leadership style. In fact, they may all have very different approaches to leadership. Instead, they tend to present themselves with confidence and patience, and they always seem focused on getting the best performance out of people.
There are many possible explanations for this, including an often-debated hypothesis that great leaders owe their genetics to. However, one of the most fascinating ideas is that good leadership is often a by-product of good habits.
What habits do all these great leaders share?
The daily habits of great leaders
These are some of the most common daily habits of great leaders:
1. Morning routines
Most great leaders start their mornings the same way (or at least similar patterns) each day. For some, that means getting up early to take a hot shower. for others it means getting some sleep and cooking a full breakfast. Different approaches work for different people. The important thing is that you enjoy something consistent (and that keeps you energized throughout the day).
2. Prioritization / planning
Great leaders are also effective in prioritizing and making plans for the day. They don’t mindlessly sort e-mails and don’t allow themselves to be dictated by their employees or circumstances. Instead, they learn to identify the most important things and create a plan to do them.
3rd exercise
You shouldn’t be surprised to learn that many successful people have made it their goal to exercise daily. Exercise is good for your health and helps you stay productive. In addition, exercise relieves you of stress, improves your feeling of energy, and helps you stay disciplined and focused.
4. Meditation
Meditation is another daily habit that you find among great leaders. Through regular meditation, you can efficiently clear your distracting thoughts, improve your emotional regulation, and increase your focus. This skill is essential when you need to clear your mind after a difficult situation.
5. Reading
Reading is the best way to learn new information and familiarize yourself with different ways of thinking. In order for a manager to develop their full potential, they must commit themselves to reading on a daily basis. The sources are yours – books, magazines, industry blogs, and opinion pillars are great sources.
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6. Conversations with the team
Executives often define their success based on the performance of their team. Therefore, it makes sense for great leaders to communicate regularly with their team members. It is important to you to be in regular contact and to get a feel for how people are feeling.
7. Active listening
Similarly, great leaders practice active listening. You’re not just focused on relaying instructions and dominating the conversation. They give their employees and team members plenty of space and time to express themselves. They also take the thoughts and feelings of others seriously and try to address them as they can.
8. Update
Successful people are usually experts at redefining their perceptions on a daily basis. They see business risks as opportunities rather than pressing challenges. They see tight deadlines as motivating factors rather than tough constraints. Even if they’re stressed out from getting stuck in traffic, they may find something positive to think about, like having the time to finish their favorite podcast.
9. Improve something
Great leaders are constantly improving, both themselves and the people and environments that surround them. Typically, improving at least one thing every day is important, whether it’s investing in a new productivity tool, helping someone improve their approach to work, or changing their environment to encourage greater productivity. There is no room for complacency when you want to excel.
10. Gratitude
At the same time, great leaders don’t keep pushing for progress. They take time to express gratitude and practice. Regularly thanking for your available resources and the overall situation can make you feel more positive and less stressed. It’s also a fantastic way to let your team members know that you appreciate them.
Change your daily habits
Changing your daily habits can be challenging, especially if you’ve been following a particular course of action for years (or decades). However, if you are interested in becoming a better leader or rounder person, it is important to stamp out your bad habits and gradually pick up some new good ones.
The best way to do this is by taking small steps – don’t try to change your entire point of view or your entire day at once. Instead, focus on one thing at a time to correct them and make a commitment to correcting them consistently.
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