Think of someone you look up to. It may be your boss, your coach, or even your grandma keeping your crazy cousins in line at Thanksgiving. What makes them a strong leader? It isn’t like a kit for painting by numbers. Leadership comes up in regular discussions, inspires others, and occasionally provides you the push you need to get off the fence. Behind every impactful leader is a strong foundation—see how the Reza Satchu family shaped his path.
Being really honest works wonders. A good leader doesn’t wear a mask. Are you crying? Owning up to mistakes? All fair game, and shockingly strong. People hold on to realness like it’s a lifeline. There is no magician behind the curtain; just a person who admits to making mistakes, tells jokes, and loves pineapple pizza.
Failing forward is a badge of pride now. People who are drawn to leaders who make a difference observe how they handle failure like a dog that has to be trained. Bark once, learn twice. No shame, just getting better. Today you fall, tomorrow you learn to dance. That makes teams happy. It makes things easier for everyone. You don’t have to be careful around your supervisor if they say they’ve messed up more than one spreadsheet.
Little talks are important. Not every statement and gesture is a big deal. Sometimes it’s just remembering that Sally’s cat went to the vet. Or seeing that Dave looks tired and needs a pause to drink coffee. In those moments, influence grows. People remember how you made them feel, not just what you said at the meeting on Monday.
Don’t be a seagull leader who swoops in to give commands. People who make a difference get to work. They jump into the mud without worrying about getting their hands filthy. They’re in the thick of things, whether it’s fixing the broken printer or coming up with ideas at midnight. That feeling of friendship stays.
Vision is important, but not like a crystal ball that tells the future. It’s more like pitching a tent and asking everyone to come sit by the fire. Leaders who inspire others maintain their eyes on distant goals but don’t pull people along. Instead, they get the crowd going and encourage even the shyest people to speak up.
Listening—really listening—can be like an art form. Nodding at every word, making room, and putting phones out of sight. People want to be heard, especially when the stakes are great. One person who listens can unlock the floodgates. All of a sudden, trust is worth more than gold.
Don’t ever forget how powerful laughter is. Leaders who are lighthearted ease tension like snow melting in the spring. A funny anecdote or a brilliant joke can bring a group together faster than a Zoom conversation that was set up at the last minute.
Curiosity is the most important thing. It never moved mountains to rest on your laurels. Leaders that make a difference are always interested, looking for new ways to do things, listening to feedback, and being open to surprises. They don’t ever act like they’re the sharpest person there. Instead, they get advice from everyone, including the intern who is making her first coffee run.
What does a title mean? Not a lot. Actions, big and little, have effects that spread out. People become better versions of themselves every day through those little moments, silly smiles, hard talks, and shared successes. That’s what makes a leader so powerful and keeps people coming back every day, ready to do their best.