February 17, 2025 | Strategic Execution
Early in my career, I had the privilege of working with an extraordinary leader and mentor. She was an avid reader who often recommended leadership books, many of which became cornerstones of my professional growth. To this day, I still return to the timeless wisdom of authors like John Maxwell, Ken Blanchard, James Collins, Michael Watkins, and Patrick Lencioni. These aren’t just books—they’ve shaped the leader I’ve become. Whenever I feel off track, I revisit their principles to realign my focus.
Recently, my college-aged daughter told me her business professor had shared his “favorite leadership book” with her class. Excited, I decided to read it alongside her. After 250 pages, I found it both brilliant and frustrating. The core messages were spot on, but the delivery was overly complex and unnecessarily convoluted. My first instinct was to reassure her—and every student reading it—that leadership doesn’t have to be that hard. Success, satisfaction, and effective collaboration are entirely achievable without overcomplicating the process. In fact, exceptional leadership can be distilled into three simple principles:
- Lead with kindness
- Do what you say you’ll do
- Be prepared
Lead with kindness
Years ago, I led a multi-year transformation project with a large team during an especially high-stakes period for the company. Emotions ran high, and stress was palpable. In the midst of it all, a client shared a principle that’s stayed with me: always assume positive intent.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking someone is being difficult just to make your life harder. But in reality, people don’t wake up with the goal of complicating your day. They bring their own experiences—whether from that morning or the night before—into every interaction. Assuming positive intent allows you to pause, breathe, and offer grace.
Leading with kindness means approaching others with empathy and a servant leadership mindset. It’s not just about delivering results; it’s about building trust and fostering collaboration in a way that lifts everyone up.
Do what you say you’ll do
One of the simplest yet most powerful principles of leadership is following through on your commitments. If you say you’re going to do something, do it. And if you fall short, own it, learn from it, and strive to do better next time.
Great leaders are unafraid to show vulnerability. Someone once told me, “The minute you start explaining, you’re losing.” Taking accountability is liberating. It builds respect, trust, and credibility, making you the type of leader others want on their team.
Leading with vulnerability isn’t about perfection—it’s about authenticity. Admitting when you’ve dropped the ball demonstrates integrity and inspires others to do the same.
Be prepared
Kindness and vulnerability are essential, but preparation is the glue that holds it all together. Great leaders dedicate time to plan, reflect, and learn. Every interaction is an opportunity to refine your approach and improve outcomes.
For example, if a meeting doesn’t go as planned, it’s easy to blame the participants or a lack of direction. But instead, ask yourself: Did I prepare thoroughly? Did I set clear expectations in advance? Did I preview key materials with decision-makers to anticipate challenges? Did I guide the discussion toward a specific outcome using a strong agenda?
Preparation is about leading with purpose—setting a clear vision and asking, “What could I have done differently?” There’s always something to learn.
The Journey of Leadership
Over the years, my list of favorite authors has grown to include inspiring voices like Susan Cain, Brené Brown, and Mel Robbins. I’ve also been fortunate to learn from dynamic and generous leaders who challenge me to be better every day.
Leading with kindness, vulnerability, and purpose not only drives results but creates a sustainable, replicable framework for leadership—one that can be adopted at any stage of your career.
Leadership doesn’t have to be overly complicated. By focusing on these three principles, we can achieve success, build meaningful connections, and create a lasting impact, all while staying true to ourselves.
For more information on how Lake Shore Associates can help you drive your next transformation, visit www.lakeshore.is.
