Craig Kyllonen’s Post

7 Valuable Lessons for First-Time Leaders Stepping into a leadership role for the first time can be exciting and challenging. Here are seven essential lessons to help you navigate this journey successfully: 1️⃣ Delegate, Don't Micromanage Please be sure to trust your team with responsibilities and encourage them to take ownership of their tasks. This will foster growth and build confidence. 2️⃣ Have Tough Conversations Early Address issues promptly. Tackling problems, head-on prevents them from escalating and shows your commitment to transparency and fairness. 3️⃣ Give Timely, Specific Feedback Feedback is a powerful tool for improvement. Provide it regularly and ensure it's specific to guide your team effectively. 4️⃣ Tailor Your Style to Each Person Understand that each team member is unique. Adapt your leadership style to meet their individual needs and strengths. 5️⃣ Listen More Than You Talk Active listening fosters trust and understanding. Make it a priority to hear your team’s ideas, concerns, and feedback. 6️⃣ Make Time for Big-Picture Thinking As a leader, focusing on long-term goals and strategies is crucial. Carve out time for planning and visionary thinking. 7️⃣ Remember You're Human Too Leadership can be demanding. Don’t forget to take care of yourself, seek support when needed, and show empathy to yourself and others. Embrace these lessons to lead with confidence and compassion. Your journey as a leader is not just about guiding others but also about growing and evolving yourself. #Leadership #FirstTimeLeader #ManagementTips #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment

🏅 A Leader in a Nutshell: The 5 Biggest Frustrations 💼 Being a leader is incredibly rewarding, but it comes with its share of headaches. Here are the top 5 frustrations that leaders often face, ones that will likely make you nod in agreement: 1. Managing Different Personalities 🤯 Every team is a mix of different personalities, each with their own quirks and work styles. Balancing these dynamics can be like herding cats. 2. Dealing with Resistance to Change 🚧 Introducing new processes or changes often meets resistance. Convincing your team to embrace new ways of doing things can feel like pushing a boulder uphill. 3. High Expectations and Accountability ⚖️ Leaders are expected to deliver results consistently. The pressure to meet targets and the responsibility for the team’s performance can be overwhelming. 4. Time Management ⏳ Balancing strategic planning with daily operations is a constant juggling act. Ensuring you spend time on high-priority tasks without neglecting smaller issues is tough. 5. Balancing Vision with Practicality 🎯 Leaders need to be visionary while staying grounded in the day-to-day realities. It’s challenging to dream big and also manage the immediate needs of the business. By addressing these common frustrations, leaders can find strategies to navigate their roles more effectively. What are your biggest leadership challenges? #Leadership #BusinessChallenges #TeamManagement #EffectiveLeadership #GrowthMindset

What makes a great leader?   Here are 6 soft skills that will help you become a more effective, trusted and successful leader👇.  Being an exceptional leader is less about your technical knowledge and industry experience and more about your soft and interpersonal skills.   The best leaders are those who show compassion for their staff, establish high levels of trust and are committed to continually improving themselves and others.   So, whether you’re about to start a new leadership position or simply want to up your game, here are some key areas for improvement:  👉 Communication – being able to convey your ideas clearly and actively listening to others is imperative when creating a productive and empowering work environment.   👉 Empathy – Strong leaders recognize the individual strengths and weaknesses of their team, providing personalized support and guidance to each member.   👉 Delegation – Knowing what and when to delegate is essential for building trust, managing workloads, and giving tasks the focus they require.   👉 Motivation – Learning what motivates each member of your team allows you to tap into their individual drivers and unlock greater productivity and passion.  👉 Curiosity – Stay eager to learn and curious about all you don’t know. Turn to others for their expertise and insight, and continually push yourself to be better.   👉 Adaptability – In business, everything can change quickly. Stay agile and flexible in the face of change and challenges.   To learn more about what makes a great leader, read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g8jYWmHz  #BusinessSuccess #Employees #BusinessGrowth #Leadership 

"#Leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room, but about being the person who can get the smartest people in the room to work together towards a common goal." 7 lessons from David M. Rubenstein's book "How to Lead": 1. Leadership is Not a #Monolith: There's no single leadership style that guarantees success. Rubenstein highlights the diverse leadership philosophies and approaches of the CEOs, presidents, and other high achievers he interviewed. The key is to find a style that aligns with your strengths and the specific needs of the situation. 2. #Focus, Then #Communicate: Effective leaders prioritize clarity and focus. The book emphasizes the importance of clearly defining goals and communicating them effectively to your team. This ensures everyone is working towards the same objectives. 3. Set #Priorities and #Delegate: Don't try to do everything yourself. "How to Lead" encourages effective delegation, assigning tasks based on team members' strengths and providing clear expectations and support. This frees you to focus on strategic initiatives. 4. Embrace #Humility: Great leaders don't need to be the center of attention. The book highlights the importance of humility, acknowledging your team's contributions, and celebrating their successes. 5. #Humor Can Be a Powerful Tool: A well-placed joke or lighthearted moment can build rapport, ease tension, and foster a more positive work environment. However, it's crucial to use humor thoughtfully and appropriately. 6. The Importance of #Inspiration: Great leaders inspire their teams to achieve more than they thought possible. The book emphasizes the power of setting a clear vision, communicating with passion, and motivating others to strive for excellence. 7. #Learn from #Failure and #Respond to #Crisis: Setbacks are inevitable. "How to Lead" encourages viewing failures as learning opportunities and adapting your approach. It also highlights the importance of decisive and effective leadership during challenging times. By drawing on the wisdom of successful leaders across various fields, Rubenstein offers a well-rounded perspective on leadership. He emphasizes the importance of focus, clear communication, building strong teams, and fostering a positive and inspiring work environment.

What makes a great leader?   Here are 6 soft skills that will help you become a more effective, trusted and successful leader👇.  Being an exceptional leader is a lot less about your technical knowledge and industry experience, and a lot more about your soft and interpersonal skills.   The best leaders are those who show compassion for their staff, establish high levels of trust and are committed to continually improving themselves and others.   So, whether you’re about to start a new leadership position or simply want to up your game, here are some key areas for improvement:  👉 Communication – being able to convey your ideas clearly and actively listening to others is imperative when creating a productive and empowering work environment.   👉 Empathy – Strong leaders recognize the individual strengths and weaknesses of their team, providing personalized support and guidance to each member.   👉 Delegation – Knowing what and when to delegate is essential for building trust, managing workloads, and giving tasks the focus they require.   👉 Motivation – Learning what motivates each member of your team allows you to tap into their individual drivers and unlock greater productivity and passion.  👉 Curiosity – Stay eager to learn and curious about all you don’t know. Turn to others for their expertise and insight, and continually push yourself to be better.   👉 Adaptability – In business, everything can change quickly. Stay agile and flexible in the face of change and challenges.   To learn more about what makes a great leader, read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eMm9Pkrb  #BusinessSuccess #Employees #BusinessGrowth #Leadership 

𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 There are three main types of leadership that you can embody to inspire and guide teams in different moments and situations. Each has unique characteristics that can be applied as needed. Let’s explore these styles: 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗯𝗹𝗮𝘇𝗲𝗿 💪 This leader takes the front line, acting as a living example of courage, determination, and action. They inspire others through their energy and confidence, leading with direct impact and naturally encouraging others to follow. 🟢 Ideal for moments of challenges and quick decision-making. 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 🤝 This leader is the team’s trainer, focused on individual and collective development and growth. They are “in the middle of the team,” listening, guiding, and helping each member achieve their best. 🟢 Perfect for situations where collaboration and team growth are crucial. 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗱 🌟 A leader who guides with a clear and consistent vision, building trust and alignment among team members. They inspire others to follow through shared purpose and values. 🟢 Ideal for moments when building purpose and long-term direction is necessary. ✨ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻? Leadership is not static. The best leaders know when to act as Trailblazers, when to become Coaches, and when to lead as Shepherds. Flexibility in switching between these styles depending on the context is what sets effective leaders apart from the rest. Adapt your leadership to the every situation 💡 📢 What about you? Which of these leadership styles resonates most with your current journey? #Leadership #TeamManagement #LeadershipManagement #Inspiration #PersonalDevelopment #NetworkingWinner

The best way to level up as a leader? Master the art of delegation. I used to believe that handling everything myself was the mark of a strong leader. But the truth is, leadership isn’t about doing more—it’s about empowering others to do their best work. Here are seven key delegation strategies that have transformed the way I lead: 1️⃣ Know What to Delegate – Not everything needs your direct involvement. Identify tasks that others can handle. 2️⃣ Match Tasks to Skills – Assign responsibilities based on strengths to ensure efficiency and confidence. 3️⃣ Set Clear Expectations – Define objectives, deadlines, and deliverables to eliminate confusion. 4️⃣ Provide Necessary Resources – Equip your team with the tools and support they need to succeed. 5️⃣ Trust, But Verify – Give autonomy but maintain checkpoints to keep progress on track. 6️⃣ Encourage Ownership – Empower your team to take responsibility and make decisions. 7️⃣ Give Feedback and Recognition – Acknowledge efforts and provide guidance for continuous improvement. Delegation isn’t about losing control—it’s about gaining impact. Strong leaders don’t do it all. They build strong teams that do. What’s one delegation challenge you’ve faced—and how did you overcome it? #Leadership #Delegation #Growth #Teamwork #Management

Some advice for a Leadership Role... → Adaptability wins → Communication wins → Empathy wins → Accountability wins → Decision-making wins Most importantly, Integrity even when others don't wins. In a leadership role, it's crucial to be adaptable and open to change. This allows you to navigate through challenges and find innovative solutions. Effective communication is also essential, as it fosters transparency and builds trust within your team. Empathy is another key attribute of successful leaders. By understanding and valuing the perspectives of others, you can create a supportive work environment and cultivate strong relationships. Accountability is vital as well. Taking responsibility for your actions and holding yourself and others accountable promotes a culture of trust and responsibility. Furthermore, effective decision-making is an important skill. Being able to analyze information, weigh options, and make sound decisions will guide your team towards success. But most importantly, integrity is the cornerstone of strong leadership. Upholding ethical standards and doing the right thing, even in challenging situations, sets a positive example for your team and earns their respect. #LeadershipAdvice #LeadByExample #ProfessionalDevelopment

Stop talking about leadership and start being a good leader. It’s easy to throw around buzzwords like "inspiration" and "vision," but leadership isn’t about speeches, it’s about action. At Jordan Group, we know that leadership isn’t what you say—it’s what you do. Good leaders don’t just tell their teams what to do. They roll up their sleeves and demonstrate what accountability, transparency, and execution look like. The best way to lead is by example. Want your team to meet deadlines? Show them how. Want them to take ownership? Take ownership yourself, especially when things go wrong. Talk is cheap. If you’re constantly talking about leadership but failing to show up as one, your team will notice—and they’ll follow suit. True leadership is lived out in the day-to-day grind, not the motivational quotes. A good leader communicates with clarity, sets expectations, and then empowers their team to execute. They don’t micromanage, but they don’t disappear either. They’re there, in the trenches, making sure that when challenges arise, they’re the first to address them. Leadership isn’t a title; it’s a responsibility. So, next time you catch yourself talking about leadership, ask: am I modeling the behaviors I want to see in my team? If not, it’s time to stop talking and start leading. #Leadership #LeadByExample #Accountability #TeamSuccess