1. Leading is harder than being a leader. Many aspire to be leaders only to find out that doing leadership is challenging.

2. If you don’t have compelling reasons to lead, you won’t last as a leader.

3. If it benefits only you, it is ambition, not leadership.

4. There are many excellent guidelines but few good recipes. Beware of cookie cutter approaches to leading.

5. No matter what you choose to do, you will bring your uniqueness to it.

6. All business is personal (despite the old cliché that it isn’t).

7. Focus is important but shared focus is critical.

8. True followers follow out of commitment, not compliance.

9. If you use your title to get things done, you’re not really leading.

10. Don’t ignore your inner life. Your inner life will support your outer life or bring you down.

11. The soft skills are the hardest: things like compassion, grace and mercy.

12. You must be tough on results but soft on people.

13. There will always be critics. If you can’t learn from them, ignore them.

14. Keep good notes.

15. Determine what matters and measure it consistently.

For information about having me speak to your emerging leaders, please contact Michelle Joyce at michelle@michellejoyce.com or 703-757-1204.

Which of the 15 do you find most valuable? Share in the comment box below or connect with me on  Facebook and Twitter.