Henley Leadership Group Blog

My husband always has a dozen unanswered questions rattling around in his mind that cause him to research, dig deeper and find new ways to solve an old problem. I'm not as naturally curious and open-minded. It’s something I have to consciously work at. If you’re a leader or aspire to be one, it’s important for you to focus on developing these qualities as well, perhaps now more than ever.

Let’s face it, working with people isn’t always easy. People get tangled up and judge each other. Team members gossip with colleagues about people who annoy them at work. As if collaboration weren’t already tough enough, now we may not even be in the same room with one another.

Each of us brings unique gifts to our world – gifts like patience, enthusiasm, creativity and generosity. We call these your superpowers. They’re attributes that have been with you most of your life. The key is to know what they are.

Being an appreciative leader is not about giving compliments, gift cards or trophies. It’s not about recognition, rewards, kudos or “atta boys.” While these are certainly actions that can boost morale and egos, they are superficial. They’re the easy way out.