Good Leaders Simply Do 2 Things

I was asked, “What do good leaders do?”  

First, I clarified the question with a question, “Do you mean people with a leadership title on an org chart, or people with a leadership mindset?”  

Thousands of books, research projects, classes, podcasts, and pundits surround us with perspectives on leadership.  All of the work is thoughtful, but often the work is a parade of synonyms and platitudes.  For example:

• Vision-Setter

• Decision-Maker

• Prioritizer

• Motivator

• Delegator

• Communicator

• Listener

• Problem-Solver

• Challenger

I prefer to think of good leaders as those who excel at simply two things: SENSING and SIGNALING.

SENSING is the leadership antenna that absorbs information. Sensing leaders stay tuned into the frequency of customers, competitors, employees, market trends, technology developments, environmental shifts. They question with an open mind. They listen with empathy.  They sense what’s happening and act.

 SIGNALING is the leadership antenna that shares information.  Signaling leaders consistently emit the company’s core values, vision, expectations, and tone.  They are accessible (like strong WIFI) and communicate with intention.

Think about a leader you find particularly effective.  What are examples of how they SENSE and SIGNAL?