Inspiring leader checklist

Posted by Jaan on November 26th, 2007 | Add your comment

The best manager I have worked for was fellow Swede Henrik Tunér. Henrik is currently with Microsoft, but in 1998 he recruited me away from rock star web agency Spray (later Razorfish) to help him get a family of newspaper owned sites up and running.

To cut a long and nostalgic story short, I was reminded of Henrik’s leadership when I re-read Carmine Gallo’s Business Week story “The Seven Secrets of Inspiring Leaders“.

Old skool title aside, I couldn’t agree more with Gallo. I would even claim the points he lists are “must dos”. Leaders who don’t hit at least six out of these seven probably shouldn’t expect to retain top talent for any length of time.

1. Demonstrate enthusiasm
2. Articulate a compelling course of action
3. Sell the benefit
4. Tell more stories
5. Invite participation
6. Reinforce an optimistic outlook
7. Encourage potential

Henrik delivered on these points and a few others. What are you like as a leader?