Must want to be a leader due to the responsibility.
Analogy: Similar to being a parent—fun part (having a kid) is brief; hard part (raising a child) is long-term.
Promotion: Getting a promotion is the easy part; the real work starts afterward.
Nature of Leadership
Leadership is an all-the-time job, unlike regular jobs that have closing hours.
Continuous Learning: Effective leaders see themselves as students, not experts.
Read articles, books, and watch talks on leadership.
Discuss leadership topics with friends and colleagues.
Start your education in leadership if you aspire to it.
Incentives and Recognition
Shared Incentives: Important to give incentives for teamwork, not just individual work.
Non-Financial Incentives: Incentives can include recognition and rewards.
Publicly recognize and call out positive behaviors like teamwork.
Reward behavior that promotes team collaboration.
Share credit and recognize team efforts.
Handling Complaints: Encourage problem-solving and communication over individual complaints.
Leading by Example
Vulnerability: Leaders should be comfortable with saying "I don't know" or asking for help.
Collaboration: Work with team members regardless of rank, and invite junior members to contribute.
Demonstrating Behavior: Show the behaviors you want to see in your team.
Accountability and Decision-Making
Encouraging Self-Reliance: Leaders should guide rather than provide all the answers.
Example: Boss (Peter Andomaggio) never answered questions directly; encouraged self-reliance.
Teach parameters for decision-making rather than giving specific answers.
Empowering Teams: Allow team members to make decisions to build their confidence and accountability.
Example: Instead of deciding between two options for them, let them choose and support their decision.
Delegation During Absence: Trust your team to handle responsibilities while you're away.
Avoid replying to emails constantly to let them take responsibility.
Conclusion
Key Takeaway: Leadership is about responsibility, continuous learning, encouraging teamwork, leading by example, and empowering others to make decisions and be accountable.