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Leadership Resolutions for 2015

by | Dec 30, 2014

At ConantLeadership we believe we can always do better. A commitment to reflection, and the pursuit of meaningful learning and growth, is at the heart of our mission to help improve the quality of leadership in the 21st century. To ensure 2015 is even more productive than 2014, we’ve compiled a list of leadership resolutions — with links to blogs we’ve posted in the past that help bring those resolutions to life. Enjoy!

1. Listen Better.

Listening is one of the most powerful and efficient things a leader can master. But it can be hard. Many leaders think, “If I’m listening, I’m not doing anything.” But it’s important to stay engaged! Here are our tips for how to effectively listen like a leader

2. Keep Promises.

Have you ever said, “On Monday morning I will begin my diet,” “After this deadline is over, I’ll spend more time with my family,” “Once I’ve settled into my new position, then I’ll carve out the time to improve my leadership”? But when the time arrives, you don’t keep your promise to yourself? Here’s how to make sure you follow through on your commitments to change

3. Be a Hero.

Leaders often benefit from advice from mentors and friends. It’s likely there is a resonant snippet of advice that lingers, or a shared moment that you carry with you to this day from a trusted adviser. Here’s how you can pay it forward by embodying the role of the trusted adviser to the people with whom you live and work.

4. Be Available.

Does this sound familiar? It’s about 3 in the afternoon. You’ve been answering emails and phone calls and addressing myriad unforeseen issues all day. You’ve finally stolen a few moments to yourself to hunker down and get some real, substantive work done. And then “ somebody knocks on your door. It’s a colleague with a question. You feel a tinge of irritation. This was your first moment to yourself all day! But do you give in to feeling annoyed or do you decide to take a moment to be fully present for your team member right now? Here’s why you should always answer the door

5. Honor People.

As leaders, either in our workplaces, our communities, or in our families, our time is in high demand; there are countless people looking to us to help, to influence, to guide. When we establish a pattern of honoring people through our actions, word gets out, and our positive influence spreads. Here’s how to influence people thoughtfully by honoring them in our interactions

6. Pursue Knowledge.

As leaders, we are always striving to learn more and more as we hone our craft. There are countless incredible books published each year but here are 7 of the best leadership books ever. (Leave your favorites in the comments).

7. Recognize Opportunity.

If you sometimes feel overwhelmed by endless interruptions at work, you are not alone. But you can reframe these moments in an empowering way and choose with purpose to see them not as hindrances, but as opportunities to lead impactfully. Here’s how to turn your next interruption into an opportunity.

8. Seek Purpose

For a leader, connecting with your purpose is deeply personal. It is about finding your place in the larger scheme of things; it is about thoroughly loving what you do; it is about being so energized by your calling that you feel compelled to shout at the top of your lungs, “This is what I was meant to do!” Here’s how to discover what drives you to lead. 

9. Embody Integrity.

As a leader, the more you endeavor to hold yourself accountable to your words, the better you will do. And, the easier it will become to lead in a way that is consistently aligned with your leadership philosophy. Integrity is powerful stuff and leading with integrity is the only way earn trust. Here are 3 ways to make sure you are “walking the talk.” 

10. Be Grateful.

We can’t become better leaders all on our own. It’s crucial we take the time to appreciate our loved ones, our communities, our workplaces, and to give careful thought to what matters most. One thing we’re thankful for is being part of a continually evolving leadership community; we’re so grateful for all the voices in the leadership conversation who contribute their insights day after day, week after week. Here are 10 recent posts on gratitude from around the web to inspire you in the new year

11. Get Better.

Finally, what better resolution than to resolve to get better at what we love to do? Here’s how to dramatically improve your craft in 2015.

What are your leadership resolutions for 2015? What articles have you read that can help inspire us to be better? 

Doug Conant is remarkable—and so is this work.
– Stephen M. R. Covey
Author of The Speed of Trust

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