This is how you lead.

You show up first.

You show up every time.

You show up earliest when things are toughest.

You make decisions.

You back your decisions with as much homework as is necessary.

You back your decisions with heart and gut every single time.

You have an ideal that you always work towards. Everything you do or say aligns with what you believe in.

You always have a plan.

You don’t always know what to do, but you always do something. You’re not always right, but you’re always moving.

You speak with authority even when you don’t know what the hell you’re saying. (Maybe that’s what I’m doing now?)

You don’t always know whether things will work, but you do them like you’re 100% sure they will. If they don’t, you try something else.

You’re vulnerable. You’re human. You do your best to amplify your strengths and stifle your weaknesses.

Your weaknesses show once in awhile. You connect with people because of it. You handle your shortcomings with maturity and poise.

You get up every time you fall down.

You aren’t infallible. You admit it to every team member when you screw up. Sometimes you have to call every single one of them and apologise.

You treat every team member as you would your elder: with respect.

You treat every team member as you would your best friend: with camaraderie, candidness and good cheer.

You treat every team member as you would your son or daughter: with love and guidance.

You give every team member time and attention.

You lead with compassion.

You trust everyone with responsibility. You give them the opportunity to work on stuff that matters. You guide them to become better people.

You’re always true to them. You make correction with your mind and with heart. Whether they’re doing well in the team or not, you always wish the best for them.

You don’t throw away a dumb child. You find out what they are good at and give them an opportunity to thrive at it. Sometimes that means letting them go.

You always put the team before anything else and most importantly, before you.

It doesn’t matter who made the mess, you’re the first to clean it up.

You take the hardest hits.

You rest least.

You work hardest.

You eat last.

Leadership isn’t about being the best or the smartest. It’s about assertiveness, groundedness, grit and compassion.

It’s less about skill and more about character.