The impact of a great leader can't be overstated. Managers account for the vast majority of the variance in employee engagement scores across businesses nationwide. This engagement correlates directly with the business's profitability, productivity and of course- employee retention.
The harsh truth: Your boss can make or break your professional satisfaction and success. Some might even say that your manager has a bigger impact on your mental health than your doctor or partner. A good manager can literally change your life.
True Leadership isn't about a prestigious title, or about having all the answers though. True, conscious Leadership is a set of skills and behaviors that encourage people to stay, learn and grow. It’s about building safe spaces where everyone feels supported, valued and respected as their authentic selves and do their best work.
"Management is doing things right. Leadership is doing the right things."
Peter Drucker
Leaders vs Managers
Managers are not necessarily leaders, and leaders are not necessarily managers. There are some pretty major distinctions.
Managers:
Focus on maintaining order, stabilty and structure
Prioritize efficiency and organization
Ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly
Direct tasks and processes
Emphasize meeting immediate objectives
Rely on control and efficient systems to achieve goals
Ensure tasks are completed on time and to standards
Described as organized, detail oriented, clear communicator.
Often have a high 'Intellectual Quotient' (IQ) - analytical, methodical, curious, inquisitive, speed and execution. May also have high 'Social Quotient ' (SQ) - communicative, assertive, versatile, adaptable, influential, trustworthy, reputable, good at facilitation
Leaders:
Inspire and motivate others
Set a vision and long-term goals
Foster innovation and creativity
Empower individuals and build trust
Drive change and encourage growth
Guide through influence and inspiration
Described as visionary, risk taker, inspirational, innovative, charismatic
Often have high 'Emotional Quotient' (EQ) - empathic, emotionally resilienct, self-aware, self-regulated, collaborative, conflict resolution. May also have high 'Social Quotient' (SQ) - communicative, assertive, versatile, adaptable, influential, trustworthy, reputable, good at facilitation
See the difference? One manages operations, processes and systems, while the other manages PEOPLE and purpose. Both play a distinct role in an organization's success.
Knowing this can help align the right people with the right roles, helping organizations and businesses thrive by balancing operational excellence with strategic advancement.
The formula for every Conscious Leader: Empathy + Active Listening + Boundaries
The Foundations of Strong Leadership
Let's explore what goes into effective leadership.
1. Mechanics: the structural, strategic, and operational aspects of leadership.
Strategy: Crafting clear visions and actionable plans.
Execution: Implementing strategies efficiently.
Coordination: Managing team collaboration and alignment.
Role/Responsibilities: Fulfilling specific duties and measuring competency.
Continuous Improvement: Leadership development applied consistently over time, with ongoing feedback and reflection.
2. Psychology: understanding human behavior and group dynamics.
Human Behavior: Tailoring leadership based on individual motivations.
Group Dynamics: Managing team culture and resolving conflicts.
Cultural Awareness: Navigating diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
3. Emotional Intelligence (EI): This is the #1 thing which separates low performers from peak performers. E.I enhances both Mechanics and Psychology by helping leaders manage emotions and communicate effectively.
Communication/ Voice: continuously looking at what we are saying, how we are saying it and how we are being perceived., thus setting the example for others to follow
Character- communicating who you are and what motivates you, principles, values etc
Context - communicating the bigger pictures to others
Clarity- communicating what is most important, prirotizing tasks
Curiosity - inviting questions and creativity, creative solutions
Connection -deepening capacacity for understanding, kindness etc
High-performing managers are high-EQ managers. They exhibit the essential soft skills like
Self-Awareness: Recognizing personal emotions and their impact.
Self-Regulation: Maintaining composure under pressure to build trust and reduce anxiety for self and others
Social Skills: Building strong relationships, fostering collaboration, motivate employees, create accountability and empower teams
It's a common misconception that there is no place for emotions in the workplace. In reality, emotions are a part of our humanity and can be powerful drivers of motivation, creativity, and connection. They can help fuel passion, build empathy, and signal urgency.
The problem arises when emotions go unchecked . This can quickly create instability, cloud judgment and amplify pressure, derailing an entire teams focus and attention.
The goal is to acknowledge and understand our emotions, then channel that energy productively.
Think hard skills are enough to succeed ? Think again. 70% of career success comes from soft skills. These are your ticket to stand out and move up in the workplace.
What Good Leaders DO
Let's explore the key traits that define exceptional leadership, focusing on what makes a manager truly memorable and impactful.
1. They Focus on Productivity, Not Just Profitability
Great leaders create a culture where the growth and learning process is just as valued as the outcome/results , and teams feel supported in their day-to-day work. Celebrating effort and hard work, not just the final results or the bottom line, creates a positive and motivating work environment. This recognition of dedication encourages persistence and builds a strong sense of team loyalty.
2. They Respond, Not React
Instead of reacting impulsively, great leaders take the time to think, assess, and respond thoughtfully. This ability to remain calm and composed under pressure fosters a sense of stability and confidence within their team.
Maintaining composure through chaos has a tremendous effect on the team. It means you've created a psychologically safe environment where the team isn't holding back on sharing bad news or new ideas.
A calm leader isn't just a steady presence—they're the eye of the storm, where there is clarity and decisiveness. The key is balance.
Calm Leadership isn't about ignoring, denying or avoiding problems, or being an emotionless robtot. Its about seeing problems, facing them and sailing through them - without becoming the storm ourselves.
This looks like RESPONDING, not reacting in high-stress situation.
Taking a moment to think and process
Maintaining composure and a calm demeaner
Articulating thoughts and expectations clearly, reducing anxiety.
Hearing and listening not just to words, but emotions and needs behind them.
3. They Are Accountable, Not Blame-Shifting
Accountability is the cornerstone of trust. Great leaders own their decisions and actions, setting an example for their team. They don’t point fingers; instead, they work collaboratively to find solutions, making it clear that everyone plays a part in both successes and challenges.
4. They Bring Out the Best in Others
One of the most powerful traits of a great leader is their ability to uplift and inspire those around them. Instead of tearing people down, they nourish growth, helping their team members realize their full potential. By focusing on individual strengths, they build high-performing teams driven by mutual respect and support.
5. They Prioritize Solutions, Not Problems
Problem-solving is a core function of leadership, but great leaders focus on solutions, not dwelling on the issues. They empower their teams to approach challenges with a proactive mindset, encouraging creativity and innovation to overcome obstacles.
6. They Face Discomfort Courageously
Leading through uncertainty and discomfort is part of the job, and great leaders embrace this challenge. Whether it’s addressing a difficult conversation or navigating a complex decision, they face these moments head-on with courage, providing a model for resilience within their teams.
Resilience - your ability to stand up to pressure, might just be the most underrated leadership skill, and the most tested. Emotionally resilient leaders are grounding and safe, while Emotionally fragile leaders often...
become the center of attention - for all the wrong reasons.
require team energy and time to manage the leaders emotions, navigating mood swings instead of meeting deadlines.
distract all the focus from work to their dramatic behavior/reactions
cause avoidance and hesitation for the team to share ideas or bad news, fearing unpredictable responses.
7. They Embrace Change, Not Avoid It
Adaptability is essential in today’s dynamic work environment. The best leaders not only welcome change but also seek it out as an opportunity for growth. They encourage their teams to stay flexible and open to new ideas, creating a culture of continuous improvement.
8. They Practice Active Listening
Leaders who actively listen to their team build trust and foster collaboration. By asking questions and genuinely seeking to understand different perspectives, they demonstrate respect for their team members’ ideas. This openness to feedback strengthens relationships and improves decision-making.
9. They Express Gratitude & Appreciation
A little gratitude goes a long way. Great leaders regularly express appreciation for their team’s hard work and dedication. Whether through a simple “thank you” or public recognition of a job well done, this acknowledgment reinforces a culture of respect and loyalty.
10. They Build Long-Term Relationships Based on Mutual Trust
Strong relationships are built on trust, and great leaders work to earn and maintain that trust over time. They consistently show up for their teams, fostering an environment where people feel valued and supported. This commitment to long-term relationships leads to more cohesive and effective teams.
11. They Protect Their Team’s Time
Great leaders understand that deep, focused work is critical for creativity and productivity. By protecting their team's time—whether through implementing "no meeting days" or limiting distractions—they ensure their team has the space needed to perform at their best.
12. They Have a Clear Vision & Communicate It Often
A clear, compelling vision is a rallying cry for any team. Exceptional leaders not only have a vision for the future but also communicate it regularly, ensuring that every team member is aligned and motivated to contribute to the organization's goals.
13. They Lead by Example
True leadership isn’t about giving orders—it's about setting the right example. Whether it's stepping in to help with a project or maintaining a positive attitude during challenging times, great leaders walk the talk, earning the respect and trust of their team.
14. They Make Work Fun
Work can be demanding, but great leaders find ways to infuse fun and play into the workplace. Celebrating wins, recognizing growth, and building a culture of camaraderie make the workplace an enjoyable and productive environment.
15. They Encourage Learning and Growth
The best leaders foster a culture of continuous learning. They inspire their teams to stay curious, embrace new skills, and grow both professionally and personally. This dedication to development helps teams stay agile and innovative in an ever-changing world.
16. They Advocate for Their Team
Great leaders are their team’s biggest advocates. They celebrate their team’s successes, push for their professional development, and stand by them during challenges. This support builds confidence and encourages team members to take ownership of their work.
17. They Are Willing to Take Risks
Leadership involves taking calculated risks. The best leaders encourage risk-taking within their teams, celebrating the lessons learned from failure and pushing for innovation. This approach fosters a dynamic, forward-thinking work environment.
They Build Strong Teams
A good leader prioritizes building a strong and cohesive team because amplifying individual strengths ultimately drives collective success.
The Johari Matrix is a trust-building exercise designed to foster honest feedback within teams by increasing self-awareness and mutual understanding. Participants create a 2x2 chart to explore what is known about them by both themselves and others. The "Arena" represents traits known to both, while the "Mask" covers traits hidden from others. The team then shares feedback to identify "Blind Spots," traits known by others but not the individual, and reflect on "Unknowns"—traits unknown to everyone. This exercise encourages vulnerability, authenticity, and helps leaders create a safe space for open communication and feedback.
They Foster Psychological Safety
Breaches of psychological safety are all too common in workplaces. Examples include feeling excluded, afraid to ask questions, having ideas ignored, or facing retaliation for dissent. These experiences erode trust, stifle performance, and disengage employees.
A good leader creates emotional safety for others where individuals feel safe to fully engage in all facets of work. Dr. Timothy R. Clark outlines four stages of psychological safety:
Inclusion Safety, where people feel accepted and valued
Learner Safety, where they can ask questions, experiment, and grow without fear of ridicule
Contributor Safety, where they feel empowered to share ideas and skills
Challenger Safety, where they can challenge the status quo without fear of retribution.
When these stages are nurtured, teams thrive with innovation and collaboration. Great leaders recognize the importance of creating a psychologically safe culture, where diverse perspectives are valued and open communication is encouraged.
They Manage Themselves & Their Emotions
According to Sally Foley-Lewis, CSP, self-leadership is about intentionally influencing yourself to take charge of your thoughts, behaviors, and emotions to achieve your goals. It's a process of moving from a reactive mindset to a proactive one, from dependence on external factors to internal control, and from self-doubt to self-confidence. Key principles. of Self-Leadership include:
Self-Awareness: Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, values, and motivations. Reflect regularly on your actions and decisions.
Self-Disclipline: Defining clear, achievable goals that align with your values and vision. Create a strategic plan for this.
Self-Motivation: Cultivating intrinsic motivation. Find personal meaning and purpose in your work to stay driven.
Self-Management: Developing effective time management, organisation, and stress management techniques.
Self-Influence: Enhancing your ability to influence your own behaviour positively. Adopt productive habits and let go of limiting patterns.
A great leader doesn’t just lead; they inspire, uplift, and transform those around them. They turn vision into reality, and obstacles into opportunities.
What Great Leaders SAY
What someone says is just as important as what they do. Here are the exact phrases that lift and elevate others to perform at their best:
Support & Collaboration
"How can I help/What can I do to support you?"
"Let's figure it out together/We're in this together"
"How can we approach this challengetogether?"
""How can I better support you?
"What do you need from me? What do you need, in general?
Offering help when needed encourages a culture of teamwork and prevents employees from feeling overwhelmed. This reinforces that team members are not alone in their challenges, which fosters a unified, collaborative environment for problem solving.
Recognition & Appreciation
"Great job on that!"
"Thank you for your hard work/going above and beyond here"
"You're really making a difference"
"I am proud of you"
You did a fantastic job
Appreciation strengthens loyalty and commitment Acknowledgement is essential for employee motivation and excellence. These phrases help people feel valued, seen and appreciated for their contributions, thus improving morale and increasing productivity.
Trust & Empowerment
"You got this / "You can take the lead on this"
"I believe in you/ your ability to overcome this challenge."
"I trust you/your judgment."
"I appreciate your input here"
"What do you think?"
"Do you have the bandwidth to take this on?"
"Your feedback means a lot to me"
Delegation builds respect, accountability and ownership. When leaders express trust and belief in their team, it fosters autonomy, builds confidence, and encourages people to take ownership of their responsibilities, which is essential for personal and team growth.
Consideration & Care
"Your growth is important to me."
"Take a break when you need it."
"Take your time; quality matters."
"It's okay to make mistakes; let's learn from them."
"You sound frustrated, how can I help?"
"Let's take a step back and look at the big picture."
"What did we learn last time that can help us now?"
"Where do you want to be in 5 years"
"What have you learned lately?
"What would make this easier for you?"
"Here's why I made that decision
"Im ready to listen"
Fostering a mindset of growth and a culture of well-being promotes a healthier workplace. These phrases show that the value is not just about the output and results, but also the larger learning and personal and professional development. When teams feel supported and secure in their roles you'll see improved performance overall.
Purpose & Perserverence
"Your contributions are critical to our success."
"The work you’re doing has a meaningful impact on the team’s progress."
"You’re on the right path, and your hard work is evident in the results."
"I see the effort you’re putting in, and it’s making a positive difference."
"You’ve handled tough situations before, and I know you can do it again."
"Your dedication and hard work will pay off – keep going."
"I apologize- I messed up"
Validation reinforces ones efforts, and belief helps build resilience, dedication and determination. A great leader’s words inspire action, cultivate trust, and build a positive work culture. They also create a culture of accountability.
These phrases might seem simple, but they can transform a workplace. The result? A happy, healthy high-performing team.
It doesn't matter where you sit on the org chart. You can be a leader at Any level, Any age, Any job.
The Journey of a Leader
To be a good leader, to be successful you don't need to ...
Work 18-hour days
Get your MBA
Network with CEOs
Sacrifice vacations
Wear expensive suits
Speak five languages
Have a perfect resume
Wait for permission, or a promotion
Instead? Work hard, Take action, Solve problems, and make things happen.
The key is to focus on RESULTS and impact, not status and titles. That drive and determination is what sets true leaders apart from the followers.
Being a good leader is ultimately about prioritizing growth, for yourself and others. It's about understanding the personal growth journey and how people interact with life.
How do you know when you're ready for a leadership role? When you can manage your emotions under pressure and conflict. You don't resort to aggression, violence, or silence, showing you've worked on handling your ego and emotional responses.
You're calm both outwardly and internally, and that calmness influences how others perceive you. You understand you're not the center of everything, so when interacting with stakeholders, you prioritize listening and understanding over speaking. You ask questions and avoid talking over others.
These qualities reflect a collaborative leadership style, and if you embody them, you're likely ready for a leadership role.
Immature/Unhealthy Phase: Embodying Resistance, Fear, Defensiveness, Closedmindnesses, Stubbornness
"Life happens TO me"
2. Mature/Healthy Phase: Embracing Acceptance, Trust, Curiosity, Openness, Learning and Growth
"Life Happens BY me/ I make life happen"
"Life Happens THROUGH me / I cooperate with life happening"
"Life Happens AS me / I am Life."
To be a conscious leader means having to constantly ask yourself what zone you're in. It's about constant self-awareness and inquisition.
"A great leader is able to absorb pressure and transmit clarity.”
Wrapping It Up
Conscious leadership is important for all types of business leaders because it fosters sustainable success. For solopreneurs in particular, leadership development cultivates resilience and adaptability which helps navigate the inevitable challenges of self-employment, while maintaining a clear sense of purpose and values.
Conscious leaders create positive environments, both for themselves and those they collaborate with, by focusing on
empathy and emotional intelligence
accountability
resilience
adaptabilty
trust building
long-term vision
self-awarenesss
intentional decision-making
Together, this ultimately drives innovation, strengthens authentic relationships, and enhances overall business impact.
Looking for a conscious leader to collaborate with? I'd love to hear from you!
Erin Ratliff is a holistic business coach and organic growth & visibility consultant serving energy-sensitive, earth-loving, heart-led soul-preneurs, self-starters, and founders with the mission of personal and planetary healing.
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