What Decision Makers Really Want In Leaders (Analysis of 100 Promotions)

Summary

This video discusses five key values that influence leadership growth and promotion potential. It emphasizes the importance of understanding role evolution, the economic impact of perception, aligning priorities with company goals, cultivating a valuable presence, and leveraging team productivity. By shifting mindset and focusing on these values, individuals can strategically position themselves for leadership opportunities, even before obtaining a formal title. The content encourages aspiring leaders to proactively develop these qualities, making the leadership role not just a goal, but an embodiment of their future success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Leadership roles are not just rewards for performance or compensation; they test your ability to create value beyond yourself.
• 😀 Promotion decisions are not solely based on skill, effort, or loyalty, but on strategic thinking and aligning with certain values.
• 😀 There are five specific values that explain why certain individuals rise to leadership positions, even when others have equal or greater abilities.
• 😀 The 'exploration value' of a role emphasizes that every role has an expiration date, especially in growing industries. Adaptation to evolving roles is essential for growth.
• 😀 Leaders prepare by thinking from their future selves, making decisions that align with the evolution of their roles and the organization’s growth.
• 😀 The 'economic value of perception' highlights how your worldview and perceptions can influence your economic potential and career growth.
• 😀 Perceptions dictate how resources like time, money, and focus are allocated, which in turn impacts the outcomes and growth of your career.
• 😀 Leadership-savvy individuals view their resources (time, money, risk, opportunities) as investments, not constraints, creating value in the long run.
• 😀 The 'priority value' of leaders emphasizes the importance of aligning your personal priorities with the organization’s economic goals for greater value creation.
• 😀 Leaders' priorities are visible through their actions, not just words. Aligning with the business’s priorities leads to greater success and growth.
• 😀 The 'psychological value of presence' highlights how valuable your presence is in strategic relationships, especially when you're interacting with high-level decision-makers.
• 😀 Your presence is defined by your character, skill set, ability to communicate, and decision-making, all of which contribute to your value to others.
• 😀 The 'productive value of teams' is about leveraging teams, both directly (reporting staff) and indirectly (mentors, peers), to create value and drive your career forward.
• 😀 Building teams of support, including mentors and peers, is a key part of preparing for leadership roles, even before receiving the title.
• 😀 The five values shared in the script are principles that don't require a leadership title but are essential for long-term career growth and success.
• 😀 To embody leadership, you must shift your thinking and integrate these values, making them visible to others so that your first leadership position becomes inevitable.

Q & A

What is the main message of the first leadership role according to the speaker?

The main message is that a leadership role is not just a reward or compensation for effort, but a test of whether you can create value beyond yourself. It’s about being able to think strategically and prepare for growth, even before the role changes.

What does the 'expiration value' refer to in the context of leadership roles?

The 'expiration value' refers to the idea that any role you initially applied for has an expiration date. As companies grow, roles evolve, and it’s important to be prepared for these changes rather than being stuck in a 'time-based' mindset.

How can someone align themselves for a promotion in the future?

To align yourself for a promotion, you need to embrace a mindset focused on future growth. This includes understanding the expiration and evolutionary values of your role and making decisions based on where you see yourself in the future.

What is meant by 'economic value of perception'?

The economic value of perception refers to how your perception of situations influences your actions and decisions. Your worldview impacts how you allocate resources like time, money, and focus, which ultimately affects your career trajectory.

How does perception influence career outcomes?

Perception influences career outcomes because it shapes how you view opportunities and constraints. If you see challenges as investments rather than costs, you'll make decisions that positively impact your career growth.

What is the difference between a leadership mentality and an individual contributor mentality?

A leadership mentality involves thinking in terms of value creation for others, focusing on long-term goals, and making decisions that benefit the organization. An individual contributor mentality, on the other hand, is often focused on personal tasks and individual productivity.

How does the speaker suggest individuals should approach their priorities in the workplace?

Individuals should ensure their priorities are aligned with the economic engine of the business. The speaker emphasizes that true leaders understand and act on priorities that help the company grow, rather than acting based on personal or unrelated goals.

What is the psychological value of presence in leadership?

The psychological value of presence refers to how your presence impacts others in a leadership context. It’s about being someone whose presence adds value, inspires others, and brings strategic insight to the table, rather than simply showing up.

What does it mean to have a 'productive value of teams'?

The productive value of teams involves not just individual productivity, but the ability to leverage and elevate the work of others to create scalable value. This includes building supportive teams, mentoring others, and working collaboratively for greater efficiency.

How can someone start building their team even before getting a leadership position?

You can start building your team by developing relationships with mentors, peers, and colleagues who support your growth. Creating a supportive environment and fostering collaboration can set the foundation for leadership even before you officially step into a leadership role.