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As I’m sure you’re aware, there seems to be an endless supply of books on the market that deal, in one way or another, with the topic of leadership basics. A quick search I did on Amazon recently turned up over 60,000 results. I used to buy leadership books a lot. However, with so much information readily available online—blogs, articles, magazines, and podcasts—I find myself buying fewer.

To be honest, I sometimes get bogged down in information overload. That’s why I find myself wanting to get back to the basics, especially when focusing on leadership essentials. The work I’ve done with GiANT over the years has definitely helped with this. However, I know I need (and want) to do more. One of the things I’m committing to this year is a leadership book study—or maybe several—that directly addresses leadership basics. Not only will this help me stay focused and intentional in my own professional growth and development, I’m confident the participants will grow stronger in their own self-awareness and leadership. They will grow by growing alongside one another.

With that said, in an effort to get “back to basics,” focusing on the foundations of leadership can be beneficial. I’ll share this: I once worked with a senior manager who was incredibly effective at leading and motivating his team. He had this posted in his office: “Three Things a Good Leader Must Possess: Vision – Strategy – Accountability.” The first time I read it, I thought: That’s it. It really is possible to take this broad concept of leadership, break it into three areas of focus, and still be highly effective.

Leadership Basics: Vision, Strategy, and Accountability

So, with that in mind, here are some quick thoughts on each of those three “basic qualities” for you to take in and ruminate on:

VISION: To be effective, we must have vision and the willingness to think BIG. You may not be running a Fortune 50 company—or even want to—but you still have to lead like you are. Whether we choose to think small or big, it takes the same amount of effort. So have a vision for your leadership and team that makes others say, “You’re crazy!” Later, they may end up wishing they’d been just as “crazy.” Having vision is one of the core basics of leadership to remember.

STRATEGY: When it comes to your team, where is your emphasis? How are you going to accomplish the results you want? Remember, poor planning promotes poor performance just as much as proper planning prevents it. People often have great goals without a clear path to reach them. So, what’s your strategy? Have you discussed the leadership basics with your team to create one? What’s your team’s plan to overcome the inevitable challenges and setbacks?

ACCOUNTABILITY: As you’ve probably heard me say before, leadership is hard. It can feel like a different animal day to day. Sometimes, we don’t know what to expect from one moment to the next. Because of that, it takes a special kind of person to lead well—it’s not for everyone. This third component, accountability, is as important for us as leaders as it is for those we lead. Personal accountability is critical. So ask yourself: Have you followed through today on what you need to do for leadership basics to move yourself, your team, or your department forward?

“Become the kind of leader that people would follow voluntarily, even if you had no title or position.”
—Brian Tracy

Until next time, lead empowered, and keep fighting for the highest possible good of others!

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