My Leadership Principles

Some of these principles are borrowed from the wisdom of others, and some are from my personal experience. Together, they represent the values and behaviors I believe are important in a great leader.

Lead by example. This means “leading the way” and walking the walk. Develop a bold vision and inspire others to follow. Set lofty goals and find the grit and determination to achieve them.
Listen first, speak second. Seek input and perspectives from all levels of an organization. Aim to listen 4 times as much as you speak. And when you speak, make it count.
Be a “servant leader”. Live to serve others, and always put the interests of the team before your own interests.
Respect your position. Titles can make you a manager, but only actions make you a leader. Leading people is a privilege, treat it accordingly.
Always do the right thing. Even (especially) when nobody is watching. Never compromise your integrity. This principle will define your character.
Be honest, humble and willing to show vulnerability. Remember authenticity cannot be faked, and respect and credibility must be earned.
Be a truth seeker. Be relentless in seeking answers to difficult questions. Pay attention to details and make data-informed decisions. Find solace in the truth.
Be firm, but flexible. Always uphold your values, but be open‐minded with your opinions. Like a well‐trained muscle, know when to flex and when to relax.
Remain calm in times of crisis. And remain rational in times of euphoria. Use humor to lighten tense moments, and always maintain a sense of optimism and balance.
Give credit for successes and take blame for failures. Recognize the team for victories and accept responsibility yourself for losses. Admit mistakes openly.
Run at problems. Embrace challenges and be a problem solver. Problems don’t age well, so address them quickly to minimize opportunity cost and maximize mental capacity.
Be a coach and be coachable. Coaching is not telling people what to do, it’s helping them to succeed on their own. Seek and cultivate your own mentors and be willing to mentor others.
Embrace diversity, promote meritocracy. Build diverse teams, and reward good performers equitably. Make personnel decisions with care: be fair, compassionate, and always allow people to maintain their dignity.
Hire people that are better than you. “Align with people who are smarter than you, and whose behavior is better than yours. Over time, you’ll ascend in their direction.” (Warren Buffett)
Listen to your gut. You won’t always have the answers, but your experience provides perspective. Be decisive, harness your intuition, and trust yourself.
Exercise candor. Express thoughtful opinions clearly, and challenge ideas that seem wrong. Provide direct and honest feedback to others, both positive and constructive.
Recognize your limitations, but continually grow. Develop a Growth Mindset. Learn something new every day, and never be afraid to say “I don’t know”.
Be a lifelong learner. Read regularly, diversely, and extensively. Challenge your mind. Become a student of history and learn from other people’s experiences in life.
Take care of your mind, body and soul. Maintain regular routines for exercise and sleep, and practice mindfulness to improve focus. Energy, perseverance and stamina are important to strength as a leader.
Know your priorities in life. Protect your time with family, friends, and loved ones. Set your personal priorities and focus on them with purpose and intent.