Leadership where you least expect it
This issue I wanted to explore is how we often become leaders when we least expect it.
I start off with my coming-of-age story of being ripped from the keyboard and asked to lead for the first time.
I also wanted to talk a bit about the areas in our lives where we ALL are leaders.
I hope you enjoy! – Andrea
Leadership Story: Battlefield Recruitment and Mentorship
I transitioned unexpectedly from being a developer to leading a team.
This changed the entire trajectory of my career.
Here’s the story of what happened, and the book that helped me decide to continue on the path of leadership.
It was 1997, and I was working at the early dot-com company, Infonautics.
I was building search and NLP products. I was neck-deep in code, and I loved my job.
But, I was plucked out of my happy life as a developer to lead my very first project by my friend Rich.
It was a do-or-die situation, and the company would have not met payroll if the product launch was not successful.
I was given a “choice,” but not really. I needed to learn how to lead a team, and fast.
Battlefield recruitment like that was (and still is) the norm when a company is facing a big challenge and everyone with experience is already carrying too many balls.
Often, the person in the new leadership role is tackling it without any prior experience.
Rich, to his credit, offered to mentor me.
He, no doubt, knew my habit of strolling into the office at about 10 am every day and working late into the evenings.
He offered to meet with me ANY TIME I WANTED, as long as it was before 8 am.
Rich, and his advice, became my new early morning routine.
☕️ I drank so much caffeine during that period of my life, that I almost ended up needing to see a cardiologist.
The biggest lesson I learned during those mentoring sessions was:
👉 At the very beginning of the project, think through how are you going to be successful. Define that. Communicate that.
👉 All throughout the project: track those metrics, communicate how you are achieving those metrics, and continuously drive towards the successful outcome.
When the product launched successfully, Rich gave me a copy of Max DePree’s book, Leadership is an Art.
It still sits on my bookshelf today.
And, I still reflect on my favorite quote from the book:
”The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality, the last is to say thank you.” – Max DePree
I had the realization that, as a leader, rather than as just an independent contributor, my impact could be even greater than I imagined.
And… If done right, I could leave a legacy I would be proud of.
Looking back, the mentorship I received during that critical inflection point in my career was key.
I needed to ramp up quickly.
And those early lessons on how to define what reality was, showed me both:
• how to succeed
• how to communicate
And that changed everything.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on:
• goal setting,
• mentorship,
• or projects that you consider your own masterpieces.
Everyday Leaders
Being a leader is not about being in charge.
It is about making a positive impact on those around you.
Here are 26 ways to be a leader in your everyday life:
1. Be a good problem solver and think creatively.
2. Be open-minded and willing to learn from others.
3. Take initiative and be proactive.
4. Communicate effectively.
5. Show empathy and understanding towards others.
6. Define success and work towards it.
7. Stay humble. Never take your success for granted.
8. Develop a strong sense of self-awareness and self-confidence.
9. Speak up when you have something valuable to say.
10. Take initiative and don’t be afraid to take charge.
11. Be open to new ideas, even if they’re different from your own.
12. Listen actively to what others have to say.
13. Coach those around you if they are struggling.
14. Lead by example and set a good standard for others to follow.
15. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, they’re a part of learning and growing.
16. Show appreciation and recognition to those around you.
17. Stay organized and manage your time effectively.
18. Take responsibility for your actions and decisions.
19. Be adaptable and able to think on your feet.
20. Be honest and transparent in your actions.
21. Be confident in yourself and your abilities.
22. Be willing to give and receive constructive criticism.
23. Take care of yourself, both physically and mentally.
24. Show empathy and understanding towards others.
25. Continuously educate yourself and strive to improve.
26. Believe in yourself and your vision.
As always, thanks for allowing me in your inbox.
I’d love to hear about what leadership struggles you are facing, and how I might be able to help.
If you have any topics you would like me to cover, please let me know! See you next time!
Cheers,
Andrea
next steps
Want to work together?
I provide leadership coaching, product team training/workshops, and project-based consulting - helping leaders launch products, build teams, and lead with confidence.
If you're interested, let's chat!
|
|
|
special offer
Leadership Advantage: Fundamentals Course
"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.." -Amelia Earhart
Transform into a visionary leader in just 3 weeks with our Leadership Fundamentals course.
Designed specifically for the busy leader, this digital course transitions you from managing tasks, people, and priorities to leading with authenticity and purpose.
You'll gain access to battle-tested techniques and approaches to become a confident leader who delivers amazing results.
Our comprehensive curriculum will provide you with frameworks, strategies, and templates that have been developed over decades of steering high-performing teams to success.
By the end of this journey, you won't merely manage—you'll lead with purpose, vision, and authenticity. Witness firsthand the evolution of your leadership style, transitioning seamlessly from managing to truly leading.
Enroll today to start evolving your leadership style.
|
P.S. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it to someone you think might like it. Make sure to subscribe below ↓
