Psychology of Leadership

Here’s What Young Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Exceptional Leaders.

I explain how genuine leaders convert vision into reality in six practical steps.

The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. — Max DePree

Distinguishing Aspects of Exceptional Leaders

Exceptional leaders attracted my attention in my younger years. Therefore, I decided to study their traits systematically. In addition, I was curious about their cognitive capabilities and thinking patterns.

During my studies, I identified striking patterns and documented and disseminated them in ethnographic settings so the younger generation could learn from their experience.

For me, the most important characteristic was empathy and compassion for others. As a result, they operate differently, reflecting wisdom from their higher self which I call spiritual intelligence. This capability was evident in their interactions as they acted mindfully.

Since I observed these leaders using cognitive science methods, my particular interest was their psychological and mental skills.

To this end, I noticed that in addition to a reasonable IQ (Intelligence Quotient), they had high AQ (adversity quotient) and high EQ (Emotional Quotient), which I call emotional maturity.

I documented six innovative yet underutilized cognitive tools for personal and professional success that exceptional leaders use abundantly.

In this article, I want to convey their exceptional traits under six headings to make this piece practical and valuable for readers.

I believe young entrepreneurs can gain insights from the characteristics of exceptional leaders treasured and respected by their stakeholders.

1. Exhibit knowledge and unique expertise covering depth and breadth.

Exceptional leaders understand their domains and show expertise in their fields. They are not necessarily specialists in multiple disciplines but know fundamentals, impact, and implications for followers.

The exceptional leaders I met in the industry and research settings display extensive knowledge and unique expertise in multiple domains. Yet, even though they cover breadth, they can also dive into details when needed.

Since they are curious to learn, they have no fear of exploring knowledge. This growth mindset helps them connect with others easily. Followers trust and respect them. Therefore, they are influential and credible in immediate and remote settings. They are known as polymaths.

I documented a case study of a polymath entrepreneur who built a unicorn business in three years using combinatorial innovation.

2. Deliver with vision, creativity, and productivity.

Exceptional leaders deliver results with creativity and productivity. They deal with unknown situations in uncharted territories thanks to a unique ability called vision that others don’t have.

Their beyond-box thinking allows them to create new meanings and values for their clients and followers. Exceptional leaders are original thinkers manifesting innovation in various walks of personal and professional life.

They catalyze innovation by inspiring and motivating their teams with alertness, care, and support. Exceptional leaders build an innovation culture in their environments and embed the culture in the ecosystem of the organizations they lead.

Inevitably, we all have blind spots, which can be hazardous in certain circumstances. It’s impossible to see our blind spot unless using specific tools or assistance from someone else. Exceptional leaders allow others to show them their blind spots showing humility.

Furthermore, they are sharp and quick in identifying the blind spots of others as they look at things from multiple perspectives. They can quickly look from the top, bottom, and sideways thanks to their exceptionally well-developed cognitive abilities.

3. Approach and articulate with precision, empathy, and compassion.

Since they are clear thinkers and knowledgeable in their fields, they can communicate precisely, articulating their ideas. In addition, as they care about people, they approach them with empathy and compassion.

Exceptional leaders can articulate abstract points and make them understandable to stakeholders from different backgrounds. In addition, they can personalize messages at multiple levels.

They can communicate complex and complicated matters with self-confidence, power, and ease. Brevity, clarity, and impact are noticeable in their day-to-day communication.

When they provide feedback, followers, and clients receive them with respect as they act like mentors and coaches to them. They don’t judge or diminish people. Instead, they empower them for positive behavioral changes.

Rather than giving directives or orders, they choose to mentor or coach the growth of others. They listen with empathy and compassion by deliberately refraining from prejudice and judgment.

Their compassionate, confident, and resilient emotional state supports the needs of followers. Therefore they are trusted, respected, and appreciated.

4. Embrace change with speed, flexibility, and optimism

Change might fear followers, but not exceptional leaders, thanks to their flexibility, agility, and optimistic vision. They remain unflappable even amid dire situations.

Exceptional leaders inspire and passionately motivate others to embrace change and adapt to new situations. They can turn painful and stressful events into cheerful and exciting engagements.

They learn quickly, make quick decisions, and act rapidly. They also can leverage their new learning by practicing instantly to deliver the required outcomes from their unique competence and capability.

While holding the big picture, they can deep dive to see and show the granular details during the transition times. Therefore, their followers embrace change and see the painful points as potential learning opportunities.

5. Bring people together to create new cultures.

Exceptional leaders craft and integrate the skills of diverse people to produce optimal results for their communities. They act by leveraging fusion principles.

They are inclusive team builders. However, they also hold additional capabilities to bring people from different and diverse backgrounds aiming to work on agreed goals.

What is more exemplary characteristic of these leaders is that they can turn an ordinarily skilled employee into talent by recognizing and supporting their growth with a particular focus. They pay attention to the greatness of others, not to their weaknesses.

Exceptional leaders have a particular focus on supporting and catering to talent. They know the value proposition of mastery required for optimal business results. Thus, they serve as talent acquisition advisors in large organizations.

Besides acquiring talent, exceptional leaders diligently keep talent in a competitive marketplace. They understand that without talented people, organizations cannot thrive and compete in any industry.

By influencing others, they can bridge gaps. Since they can detect blind spots and bridge the holes in creating new cultures, they can favorably influence decisions, actions, and outcomes.

They go beyond thought leadership, influence their stakeholders to make independent decisions and take timely action in establishing new cultures.

As Peter Drucker said, “Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights, raising a person’s performance to a higher standard, building a personality beyond its normal limitations.”

6. Transform goals and outcomes by measuring with diligence.

Exceptional leaders don’t settle for good results. On the contrary, they seek great results and focus on transforming from a good state to a better one gradually, aiming for optimal results. But they refrain from perfection.

Transformational skills are the most desirable by stakeholders yet the most challenging and complex skills that leaders must possess. Exceptional leaders demonstrate transformational skills in various walks of their lives.

They measure multiple business factors, such as the pace and progress of initiatives. Without assessing the progress, the outcomes cannot be predicted and planned. Thus, apply various measurement tools and techniques, including qualitative and quantitative approaches.

Conclusions and Takeaways

Exceptional leaders play a pivotal role in society and the progress of humanity. These leaders set the vision and strategy and contribute to implementing outstanding solutions. Being role models, they influence the stakeholders to achieve better collectively.

I write about leadership as it is extra critical in these challenging times. People need hope to change the hostile economic and social climate to a positive one. I documented my perspectives in an article titled Six Tips to Filter Noise for Keeping Sanity in These Enigmatic Times.

Unfortunately, our society has more fake leaders who behave just the opposite of authentic leaders. They divide people and misuse resources to gain selfish benefits. Consequently, they cause unnecessary stress and fail the goals of communities.

In a previous article published in January 2020, I introduced 26 characters of excellent leaders based on my observations of them in ethnographic settings. I also introduced 12 characteristics of distinguished leaders in large business organizations.

I also observed some of these exceptional leaders in social settings, even meeting them in family gatherings, and documented my findings in a story titled Here Is What I Learned from Healthy, Wealthy, and Happy People.

I hope my perspectives and these positive patterns introduced in this story might give you valuable insights into recognizing authentic and exceptional leaders and gaining insights from their traits. In addition, emulating their psychological capabilities might be invaluable for young entrepreneurs.

Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.

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