Subscribe to my newsletter - the Step Up! You'll get an inside look into my thoughts, mental models, and ways of going about life - with the goal of helping you do the same. Take the first step and join me on this journey. Newsletter every Thursday at 4:30pm CST.
The Step Up - Vol. 18: What is a True Leader?
Vol. 19: What is a True Leader?I'm blessed to hold various leadership positions where I have the opportunity to guide, empower, and inspire others. So obviously, I think a lot about leadership. It matters a lot to me. It matters a lot to the world. True leaders drive humanity forward. They make progress. They empower others to achieve unthinkable things. We owe the progress of humanity to great leaders throughout history who took it upon themselves to guide and empower others. But false leaders exist too. And they can do the opposite of everything I just mentioned. This newsletter highlights the dichotomy between true and false leaders. A true leader promotes the truth and removes barriers to accessing it. A false leader promotes their agenda and suppresses the truth and viewpoints that don't align with theirs. A true leader is humble and confident, accepting feedback and criticism as opportunities to grow. A false leader is prideful and cocky, taking feedback and criticism as attacks on their ego and identity. A true leader takes accountability, admits mistakes, and aims to improve. A false leader shuns accountability, points blame, and doubles down on their current actions and beliefs. A true leader empowers others to achieve great things and gives them the credit when they accomplish them. A false leader degrades others when they fall short and takes credit for themselves when others achieve something. A true leader is authentic, vulnerable, and recognizes the mutual long-term value of relationships. A false leader is fake, shallow, and uses others as tools to get what they want. A true leader values diversity in temperament, talents, and convictions - recognizing that the fabric of a group is stronger with different people in it. A false leader values only those who think, look, and act like them - reinforcing their own actions and beliefs. A true leader pushes humanity forward. A false leader pulls humanity back. A true leader builds. A false leader tears down. A true leader helps. A false leader hurts. Look at yourself and who you are as a leader. Look at those around you who you call a leader. Which side of these comparisons do they align with? See you next Thursday, Steppers. We will succeed, Grayson Song of the Week:
Zach Bryan got me back into country a few years ago, and his new album With Heaven on Top is another great addition to his catalog. I love his Midwestern bluegrass-inspired sound - it's just so easy and delightful to listen to. It was truly hard picking a song to highlight, but Santa Fe's chorus really sticks out to me. |
Grayson Stepanek
Subscribe to my newsletter - the Step Up! You'll get an inside look into my thoughts, mental models, and ways of going about life - with the goal of helping you do the same. Take the first step and join me on this journey. Newsletter every Thursday at 4:30pm CST.
Vol. 26: The Becoming I used to tell myself “I’m not a runner.” I’d say “I don’t know why anyone would ever do a 5k.” Much less a 10k, half-marathon, or full. Or shall I even say… an ultra. I used to tell myself “I’m not a runner.” But one day I ran. Then I did it again a few days later. And again a few days after that. Like adding one grain of sand to another and to another until you’ve got a heap. But you don’t know exactly when you crossed that threshold to be considered a “heap.” You just...
Vol. 25: Vulnerability is Strength This week I watched this great TED Talk from Brene Brown on vulnerability as pre-work for my Goodwill Senior Leader Program, and it made me reflect on vulnerability as a strength. I pride myself on my vulnerability. I aim to be an open book (at least as much as I reasonably can). The ability to be vulnerable - to open up to others about who you really are and how you truly feel - takes more strength than bottling up. It's easy to hunker down. It's hard to...
Vol. 24: Building Strategic Relationships Ruben and I after our presentation Ruben Henderson and I had the opportunity to co-present at last night's the705 Member Meeting about building strategic relationships, and I want to talk about that a bit here. Relationships are critical in getting where you want to go, both personally and professionally. Building strategic relationships is a step deeper. It's the intentional practice - grounded in authenticity and integrity - of building...