The Journey from Good to Great For Leadership

Have you ever paused and asked yourself, “Am I just good at what I do, or am I truly great?”

It’s a question that many of us grapple with at different stages of our leadership journey. Whether you’re at the helm of a large organization or leading a small, dynamic team, the difference between good and great leadership can be the determining factor in the success or stagnation of your enterprise.

In this edition of our Leadership Newsletter series, I want to dive deep into what it means to move from good to great as a leader. This isn’t just about ticking boxes or achieving short-term wins. It’s about transformative growth—both for you and your organization. It’s about cultivating a mindset and approach that inspires greatness not just within you, but in everyone you lead.

The Difference Between Good and Great Leadership

Let’s start with a simple truth: Good leadership is about maintaining. Great leadership is about transforming. If you’re leading a team effectively, meeting goals, and keeping things running smoothly, you’re likely a good leader. But is that enough?

Great leaders do more than manage; they inspire, innovate, and drive significant, lasting change. They don’t just react to challenges—they anticipate them. They don’t just meet expectations—they exceed them.

One of the first steps in moving from good to great is recognizing that the journey is ongoing. There’s no final destination, no point at which you can say, “I’ve arrived.” Greatness is about continuous improvement, about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and about constantly seeking ways to grow and evolve as a leader.

Ask Yourself:

• Am I maintaining the status quo, or am I pushing for transformative growth?
• When was the last time I challenged myself to think bigger, to innovate beyond the obvious?

The Awakening: Recognizing Your Leadership Potential

Every great leader has an “awakening” moment—a point where they realize that they can do more, be more, and achieve more. This moment is often sparked by a challenge or a crisis, something that pushes them out of their comfort zone and forces them to rethink their approach.

Think about your own leadership journey. Can you identify a moment that pushed you to think differently? Maybe it was a time when you had to lead your team through a significant change, or perhaps it was when you faced a major setback that made you question your methods. These moments are crucial because they open the door to growth.

My own awakening came when I was thrust into a leadership role I didn’t feel fully prepared for. The weight of responsibility was overwhelming, and for a while, I was simply in survival mode, doing everything I could to keep things afloat. But over time, I realized that this wasn’t enough. I needed to do more than just survive—I needed to thrive. And for that to happen, I had to change my mindset from one of mere competence to one of excellence.

Ask Yourself:

• Have I experienced a leadership awakening? If not, what might be holding me back from this critical self-realization?
• How have I responded to challenges or crises in the past? Did I view them as opportunities for growth, or simply obstacles to overcome?

Cultivating a Growth Mindset

One of the key differences between good and great leaders is their mindset. Good leaders often operate with a fixed mindset—they believe their abilities are static, and they focus on maintaining what they already know. Great leaders, on the other hand, cultivate a growth mindset. They believe that their abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, and they’re constantly looking for ways to improve.

A growth mindset is essential for several reasons. It encourages you to embrace challenges rather than shy away from them. It helps you to see failure not as a dead-end, but as a stepping stone to success. And most importantly, it drives you to seek out new learning opportunities, pushing the boundaries of what you and your team can achieve.

Ask Yourself:

• Do I approach challenges with a fixed mindset or a growth mindset?
• How can I shift my thinking to see challenges as opportunities for growth rather than threats?

The Power of Visionary Leadership

Great leaders are visionaries. They see beyond the immediate challenges and have a clear picture of where they want to take their organization. This vision is not just about setting goals; it’s about creating a compelling narrative that inspires and motivates everyone in the organization to work towards a common purpose.

Visionary leadership is about more than just having a vision; it’s about communicating that vision effectively. Your team needs to understand not just what the vision is, but why it matters, and how their role contributes to making it a reality. This requires clear, consistent communication, and the ability to connect the dots between the day-to-day work and the bigger picture.

Ask Yourself:

• Do I have a clear, compelling vision for my organization?
• How effectively am I communicating this vision to my team? Are they as passionate about it as I am?

Building and Nurturing High-Performance Teams

Even the greatest leaders can’t do it all alone. A key part of moving from good to great is building and nurturing high-performance teams. This involves not just hiring the right people, but creating a culture where everyone can thrive.

High-performance teams are characterized by trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence. As a leader, it’s your job to cultivate these qualities. This means being intentional about team dynamics, fostering open communication, and ensuring that everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute.

Remember, a great leader isn’t just focused on their own success—they’re focused on the success of their team. By investing in your people, you’re not just helping them grow; you’re also ensuring that your organization is positioned to achieve great things.

Ask Yourself:

• Am I surrounding myself with the right people? How can I better support and develop my team?
• What steps am I taking to build a culture of trust and collaboration within my team?

Leading with Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is another critical factor that separates good leaders from great ones. EQ involves the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. Leaders with high EQ are better equipped to handle stress, resolve conflicts, and build strong, positive relationships with their team.

Developing your emotional intelligence starts with self-awareness. You need to understand your own emotional triggers and how they impact your behavior. From there, you can work on improving your self-regulation, empathy, and social skills—all of which are essential for effective leadership.

Ask Yourself:

• How well do I understand and manage my own emotions?
• Am I empathetic towards my team’s needs and feelings? How can I improve my emotional intelligence?

Continuous Growth: The Journey Never Ends

As we wrap up this first newsletter, I want to leave you with a final thought: The journey from good to great is never over. It’s a continuous process of growth, learning, and improvement. Every challenge you face is an opportunity to refine your leadership skills and take another step towards greatness.

This journey requires dedication and a willingness to push yourself out of your comfort zone. But the rewards—both for you and for those you lead—are well worth the effort. By committing to your own growth and striving to be the best leader you can be, you’re not just improving yourself; you’re also creating a ripple effect that can transform your entire organization.

Ask Yourself:

• Am I committed to continuous growth and improvement as a leader?
• What steps can I take today to move closer to greatness?

Looking Ahead

I hope this newsletter has sparked some reflection and inspired you to think about your own leadership journey. In our next edition, we’ll dive deeper into the mindset shifts that are essential for great leadership, exploring how you can cultivate a growth mindset that propels you and your organization forward.

Until then, keep challenging yourself, keep pushing the boundaries, and remember—the journey from good to great is one that never truly ends.

Stay committed to your growth.

You can get a copy of the "Good To Great Leadership" book from Amazon

Moe Nawaz www.LeadershipNewsletter.org