Leadership is not defined by the title it is by what you do

Lee explores the concept of leadership and the importance of aligning one's habits, behaviours, and routines with their job title. Drawing on Aristotle's idea that "excellence is not an act but a habit," Lee emphasises that simply holding a title does not make someone a true leader. He shares personal anecdotes, including his experience training for marathons, to illustrate how consistency in actions defines our identities. The episode highlights the significance of building trust through reliability and understanding the expectations of those we lead. Lee encourages listeners to engage in open conversations about leadership styles and to seek alignment with their teams to foster high performance.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Excellence as a Habit: True excellence is not defined by job titles or occasional acts but by the consistent habits and behaviours we exhibit in our roles.

2. Leadership Consistency: Effective leadership requires consistent actions and behaviours that align with the expectations of those being led. Leaders must be aware of how their actions are perceived by others.

3. Trust and Reliability: Building trust as a leader involves being credible and reliable. Leaders should consistently follow through on their commitments to foster trust within their teams.

4. Alignment of Expectations: Successful leadership hinges on a mutual understanding of expectations between leaders and their teams. Open communication about what is expected from both sides is crucial.

5. Self-Reflection and Feedback: To be perceived as a leader, one must engage in self-reflection and seek feedback from others. Understanding how others view your leadership style is essential for growth and alignment.

BEST MOMENTS

"Excellence is not an act but a habit. What are your habits that you are displaying?" 

"Just because you've got the job title, it does not mean that you are the thing." 

"We cannot pick and choose when we want to be a leader because we don't know who is seeing what we do." 

"The number one reason for people leaving organisations is the leadership, the leader that they've had." 

"If you want to be a leader in everybody's eyes, then they've got to see, hear, feel and think about you as a leader." 

HOST BIO

You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.

Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.