• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Adam Kirk Smith

- A. Smith Blog - Leadership in Life

  • The Bravest You
  • Blog
    • Leadership
    • Communication
    • Creativity
    • Focus
    • Relationships
  • Podcasts & Video
    • Podcast: Live Life with Purpose
    • Podcast: Ideas with Adam Smith
    • asmithvideo
  • Coaching & Consulting
  • Speaking

Glenn Brooke | December 15, 2017 | Leave a Comment

What Would an Extraordinary Leader Do?

Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on Linkedin
PinterestRedditStumbleuponBufferMail

You’ve identified yourself as a leader. Take the next step, and become an extraordinary leader.

Bear with me, and ignore that little voice saying “you can’t.” Hear me out. This is about how you frame your contribution as a leader in the moment, and looking forward. Forget the successes and especially the failings of the past. 

John Quincy Adams wrote, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” An extraordinary leader does these same things to the next higher level. It might be about influencing more people, or resolving a more complex situation. It might be a single moment of powerful courage in a pivotal event.

The key to the path to the extraordinary is to trust yourself to answer this question:

“What would an extraordinary leader do?”

Don’t answer in a general way. Ask and answer in specific context:

  • What question would an extraordinary leader ask in this meeting?
  • How would an extraordinary leader prepare this presentation?
  • How would an extraordinary leader manage this ticklish personnel situation?
  • Would an extraordinary leader hire this person? If so, how would an extraordinary leader help them get started in the role?
  • How would an extraordinary leader define this problem in a way it could be solved?
  • Would an extraordinary leader see an opportunity here?
  • What two things would an extraordinary leader pay attention to today?
  • What would an extraordinary leader stop doing?
  • How would an extraordinary leader provide feedback to this employee?
  • Would an extraordinary leader persevere in this situation, or find another way?

You probably noticed that I wrote you had to trust yourself to answer the question. We’re most likely to falter at the point of trusting ourselves to know the right thing to do – and then do it. You’re not perfect, you’re going to make a few mistakes. But you must learn to trust yourself.

Crucial insight: The “extraordinary leadership” answer nearly always requires you to choose the harder path.

Follow this three-step process, actively directing your future from the inside out:

  1. Ask the question: What would an extraordinary leader do?
  2. Listen to your answer.
  3. Choose the harder path.

That’s how you’ll become an extraordinary leader.

“What would an extraordinary leader do?” Trust yourself to know. 

Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on Linkedin
PinterestRedditStumbleuponBufferMail

Filed Under: Leadership

Glenn Brooke

Glenn considers leadership a craft which requires dedicated pursuit. The apprentice model (instruction + practice + associating with other craftsmen) is the time-tested way to foster the next generation of leaders. Real leaders never stop working on their craft; there are only new levels of mastery ahead. Learn more at leadershipcraft.com.

To make sure you don’t miss out on new posts and other important updates, you can join thousands of other people and subscribe via email below:


Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

The Bravest You by Adam Kirk Smith

Podcast: Ideas

Ideas with Adam Smith Logo

Podcast: Live Life with Purpose

Life With Purpose Podcast Icon

Youtube: ASmithVideo

asmithvideo icon

Latest Posts

  • Books and Other Stuff
  • Close Listening & Other Customer Service Strategies
  • How Word-of-Mouth Marketing Can Generate More Leads
  • How to Thrive in the Digital Age When You Think It’s Overrated
  • How to Use Content to Drive B2B Lead Generation

Footer

Featured Product

The Bravest You by Adam Kirk Smith

Podcast: Ideas

Ideas with Adam Smith Logo

Podcast: Live Life with Purpose

Life With Purpose Podcast Icon

Adam Smith · Leadership in Life · asmithblog.com © 2022 · Adam Kirk Smith's blog on leadership, relationships, communication, creativity, and focus.

  • The Bravest You
  • Blog
  • Podcasts & Video
  • Coaching & Consulting
  • Speaking