Elance Learning ’s Post

One of the toughest to learn leadership skills is to be able to say three simple words - I DON’T KNOW. Nothing kills your credibility faster than not having the ability to say “I don’t know”. Far too often, you see people try to B.S their way out of a question rather than just admitting they don’t know the answer. Your team might judge you a little bit for not knowing something but you can fix it by finding out the answer and following up. But you can very rarely regain the lost trust when you fail to admit you simply do not know the answer.

What makes you effective as a leader is not the title you hold. Instead, it’s demonstrating an unrelenting focus on helping others succeed in their collective efforts. Many believe leadership is conferred along with a title or attained when you direct a team of people, but true leadership is about something other than authority or power, according to Lolly Daskal. It’s about helping others grow, and that’s something anyone can do. If you desire to influence and have an impact on others, you have leadership qualities. And if you can inspire people to do something they thought they couldn’t do, demonstrate how the impossible is possible, and believe in someone who didn’t believe in themselves, you’re already a leader.

Why didn’t anyone tell me this a few years back? 🤔 When we first started Flameloop, I thought the key to success was simply having a solid plan and working hard. But I quickly discovered that leadership is more than just making decisions and setting goals🎯 One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that leading a team is like building a strong foundation. It’s not just about telling people what to do but about listening to them, supporting their growth, and celebrating their successes. I used to think I needed to have all the answers, but I’ve learned that the best leaders empower their teams to find solutions together. Watching our team grow and succeed has been one of the most fulfilling parts of this journey. It’s taught me that great leadership is about creating a space where everyone feels valued and motivated. So, what’s one lesson you wish you had learned about leadership earlier? How has it changed the way you lead?

Leadership is not about rules and punishments. Leadership is about recognizing the potential in your team, and then guiding them to realize that potential.

In my experience, I've come to realise that leadership isn't about how well you can give a speech or how much people like you it's about what you can actually accomplish. I’ve seen situations where a leader might be charming or have all the right qualities on paper, but if they’re not driving progress or achieving goals, that influence fades quickly. What really matters is getting things done, helping the team succeed, and moving the needle forward. At the end of the day, people remember the impact you made, not the words you said or how you were perceived. Leadership, for me, is about results about being the one who can turn vision into reality.

💡 Most people are trained to be poor leaders, avoiding blame instead of owning mistakes. As a leader, any mistake on your team is your responsibility—you either hired, trained, or kept them on the team. Great leadership means taking accountability and making things right. 🌱

The shift from expectations to appreciations is transformative in leadership. We often focus on setting expectations and ambitious goals. But remember, appreciation is just as important. We set goals every quarter. Yet, showing appreciation for your team should be a daily practice. They need to hear and see how much you respect and appreciate their effort. Feeling it inside is not enough. It needs to be shown and spoken.

As we approach the New Year, take a moment to reflect on your leadership journey over the past year. What challenges did you face, and what successes stand out? For me, my biggest challenge this year was keeping cool while our house purchase dragged on and on and on... Whilst my biggest success was throwing my first successful pottery pieces. Use this time to set goals, identify areas for growth, and share your reflections with your team. Embracing a mindset of growth and openness will inspire those you lead to pursue their own goals with renewed motivation.