In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge talks to the founder and Managing Director of Bandelli & Associates and the author of What Every Leader Needs and soon to be released, Relational Intelligence, Adam Bandelli.

Adam shares that he’s always been fascinated by what great leaders do. He has a doctoral degree in leadership, influence, and relationships and his dissertation is the subject of his new book, Relational Intelligence. He started his firm in 2016 and focuses on three key areas; selection for internal and external placements, leadership development and executive coaching, and training to help leaders grow.

Adam shares some insights he’s gathered from his favorite basketball legends over the last couple of decades. For one thing, a good leader knows how to leverage their team to focus on the strengths of the individual team members. Pay attention to every person on your team and figure out where they shine and thrive. Next, don’t just tell your team how to succeed, model what you’re preaching. Be a leader worthy of looking up to by setting the best example. Not only will this encourage others to follow best practices, but it shows how much you’re willing to invest in them by doing the best practices. He also noticed that leadership comes with a ‘brand’. How does your team look at you? What does your reputation or habits say about you? Be mindful of these elements of your leadership practices.

You need strong self-awareness to be an effective leader, Adam explains. You have to know, acknowledge, and accept your weaknesses and blindspots and then delegate those tasks to team members who can thrive in those roles. You also need to find a good coach or mentor who will actually have a positive impact on your life and business. The objective view a mentor can offer will help determine your strengths, weaknesses, and goals.

Josh and Adam also address those entrepreneurs who think they don’t need a coach, or that it’s a sign of weakness to seek one out. Adam shares that this is a damaging stereotype. A coach isn’t someone who will “fix” you as a person or business leader – they’re a trusted advisor. A coach is there to help make decisions and solve problems with a business owner, not for them. Don’t look at coaching and mentorship as a sign that you’re ‘less than’; look at it as a way to boost the success you’ve already attained.

Want to learn more? Check out Bandelli & Associates’ website at http://bandelliandassociates.com/.

Check out Bandelli & Associates on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/bandelli-associates/.

Check out Adam Bandelli on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/adambandelli/.

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!

The Skeptics Guide #25 - Jan 11 2006