Confident Business Team Smiling In Modern Coworking Office

The Paradox of Gen Z in the Workplace

Gen Z enters the workforce with unmatched confidence. They are digital natives, outspoken about their value, and unafraid to share opinions. At first glance, this seems refreshing, finally, a generation not paralysed by self-doubt.

On the other side of this, it’s important to recognise that confidence does not always equal competence. 

When young employees lean too heavily on self-assurance without the skills to back it up, the effect on teams can be costly. This isn’t a generational critique. It’s a wake-up call for leaders, mentors, and organisations everywhere that competency backed by confidence is a journey of consistency and devotional practise.

The Cost of Misplaced Confidence

When confidence runs ahead of capability, the consequences ripple across teams:

  • Eroded trust: Colleagues lose faith when promises outpace performance.
  • Project delays: Missed deadlines or substandard delivery stall momentum.
  • Team friction: Resentment builds when others have to put aside their responsibilities and pick up the slack.

The issue is not Gen Z itself. The issue is the gap between high self-belief and the practical competencies organisations rely on.

For more insights into how younger generations are shaping the workplace, check out a snippet from our Podcast where we talk about How to Influence Emerging Generations.

Why Confidence Is Overvalued

Social media, instant feedback, and influencer culture have trained younger generations to value boldness and visibility. Whilst boldness commands and captures attention, workplaces still demand mastery, resilience, and delayed gratification. This creates a disconnect between what is celebrated online and what drives success in business to the point where the lines are blurred.

It’s skewing younger minds from being able to reason between what success looks like and what it takes to succeed.

It doesn’t take away from the fact that a great deal of Gen Z people KNOW what success looks like for them so leaders must stop asking, “Why is Gen Z like this?” and instead ask, “How can we harness their confidence while building the competence to sustain it?”

This disconnect is also explored in Harvard Business Review’s perspective on why confidence matters, showing how visibility without skill can become a liability.

Channeling Confidence into Capability

Strong leadership does not dampen confidence. It channels it into productive growth. Here are four strategies to help it land:

  1. Shift from labels to leadership. Replace stereotypes like “lazy” or “entitled” with the recognition that confidence is raw material.
  2. Invest in mentoring. Pair Gen Z with experienced professionals who can and want to pass on both skills and wisdom. Simon Sinek explores this in his talk, Why Leaders Eat Last, emphasising the value of trust and guidance.
  3. Prioritise training. Create structured pathways that convert enthusiasm into tangible capability. Our guide, The Secret of Making Your Goals Work for You, offers a framework for turning intent into progress.
  4. Celebrate progress, not just bravado. Reinforce the wins where confidence meets proven skill. 

The Opportunity for Teams

When leaders combine competence with confidence, the payoff is enormous. Gen Z’s natural willingness to speak up, challenge assumptions, and push innovation becomes an asset. Properly guided, these qualities shape resilient, creative leaders who can drive industries forward.

For a broader view, Deloitte’s take on Gen Z in the workplace provides valuable context on the opportunities and challenges this generation brings.

The Leadership Choice

The decision is clear. Leaders can either complain about the confidence gap or harness it and close it.

  • Confidence without competence frustrates teams.
  • Competence without confidence underutilises talent.
  • Together, they create unstoppable momentum.
Choose mentoring and training over labels and stereotypes. That’s how leaders future-proof their teams.

Life Puzzle’s Multi-Tiered Leadership Program

With a 94% value rating and an average score of 4.8 out of 5, the Multi-Tiered Leadership Program is more than just a training program. Participants are 2.7 times more likely to step into top performance roles, thanks to a structured approach that turns reactive managers into strategic, cross-functional leaders.

building a leader, high performance habits
Summary:

High performance in leadership is not a genetic gift; it is built through deliberate practice. Every executive knows that talent will only take a leader so far, but it is the discipline of habits that shapes influence, resilience, and trust. The leaders who consistently perform at the highest levels are not relying on chance, they are following a set of behaviours refined over time and grounded in both psychology and business research.

In this article, we explore the practical, repeatable habits that separate capable managers from exceptional leaders. These insights are designed for executives, founders, and HR leaders who want to sharpen their edge and build teams that thrive under pressure.

You’ll find:
• Leadership habits that protect focus and energy
• Emotional intelligence practices that influence performance
• Communication frameworks that build trust
• Health strategies that sustain resilience

These are high performance habits that scale far beyond generic advice. They are the routines that matter most in boardrooms, high-growth organisations, and industries where the cost of poor leadership is measured in missed opportunities and stalled momentum.

The Foundation of Leadership: Setting Boundaries

For leaders, boundaries are a performance tool rather than a restriction. Without them, focus fragments and energy drains into work that doesn’t move the organisation forward. Research from Harvard Business Review shows that leaders who define limits outperform those who operate reactively.

High performers use boundaries to:
• Protect their calendars from low-value meetings
• Clarify what they will and will not take on
• Model respect for their own time so others follow suit

Boundaries should be communicated firmly and consistently. When done well, they create space for strategic decision-making and send a clear message to teams about priorities.

Emotional Intelligence: The Core of High Performance

Emotional intelligence underpins trust, influence, and decision-making. It is not about being agreeable, it is about understanding how emotions shape behaviour. According to McKinsey research, leaders with high EQ drive stronger team performance and higher retention.

Leaders can develop EQ by practising:
• Structured reflection to identify emotional triggers
• Regulating responses under pressure
• Reading subtle cues in team interactions
• Demonstrating empathy while holding accountability

When leaders strengthen their EQ, they create environments where people feel respected and understood, which directly improves collaboration and outcomes.

The Role of Health in Sustaining High Performance

Health is the fuel for sustained leadership. Senior leaders already know the basics, so the focus must be on advanced strategies that ensure energy is available when decisions matter most. Deloitte’s Human Sustainability report highlights that organisations thrive when leaders role-model sustainable health practices.

Effective health routines for leaders include:
• Scheduling time for critical thought and research to innovate strategy
• A deeper understanding of how nutrition plays a crucial role in development
• Taking meetings outdoors or offsite to reset and refresh conversations
• Inviting health-centric professionals into the workplace to educate

Resilient health practices enable leaders to handle pressure without sacrificing clarity or influence but they also show a deeper level of understanding into the principle fact that how you do one thing, is how you do everything; do it with intention.

Communication: The Bridge to Effective Leadership

Clear communication is not just about clarity, it is about influence. Executives who consistently align their message with organisational strategy accelerate results. Communication builds trust and signals credibility when delivered with precision.

Advanced communication habits include:

  • Practising advanced techniques that deepen conversations and uncover what is not being said
  • Using storytelling to connect strategy with day-to-day operations
  • Delivering feedback as a growth tool rather than a judgement
  • Prioritising emotional intelligence to build psychological safety and transparency

When communication becomes an intentional discipline, leaders create cultures of accountability and momentum.

At Life Puzzle, our Leadership and Influence Program is designed to help leaders embed these habits at a higher level. The program equips executives and emerging leaders with frameworks for influence, advanced communication strategies, and the ability to create lasting impact across their teams. By strengthening the link between clarity and influence, participants learn how to lead with confidence, align people to purpose, and sustain high performance in complex environments.

Find out more about how the Leadership and Influence Program can help you shape stronger leaders and build influence across your organisation.

Inclusion and Collaboration: Hallmarks of Exceptional Leadership

Inclusion is a multiplier of performance. Diverse teams, when led well, outperform homogeneous ones in both creativity and profitability. The World Economic Forum notes that inclusive leadership drives innovation at scale.

Practical ways leaders embed inclusion include:
• Actively seeking out diverse perspectives when making decisions
• Encouraging constructive debate that challenges assumptions and focuses on strategy
• Building psychological safety to ensure a culture of responsiblity
• Creating structures that ensure equal access to opportunities

Collaboration is not just a value, it is a leadership strategy that unlocks the full capacity of teams.

FAQs

Habits create predictability and structure. They free leaders to focus on strategy by removing repeated decision fatigue.

Emotional intelligence builds trust and resilience. It enables leaders to manage conflict, influence stakeholders, and retain top talent.

Health ensures leaders sustain performance over decades, not just quarters. Energy is the resource that underpins all decision-making.

Communication is the lever that aligns people to purpose. It accelerates execution by making direction unambiguous.

Inclusion enhances creativity and ensures decisions are more robust by incorporating diverse insights. It is a leadership competency that future-proofs teams.

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turning team conflict into high-performing teams

Can conflict be a catalyst for greatness?

The simple answer is yes, when tempered with intention. Conflict between team members can drive innovation and foster growth. While tension often signals dysfunction, it can also be a sign that diverse perspectives are at play.

The challenge lies in turning team conflict into high-performing teams by harnessing that energy into focus, collaboration, and momentum.

What Are Team Dynamics and Why Do They Matter?

Team dynamics refer to the psychological forces and relationships between team members. When individuals with diverse personalities, communication styles, and experiences come together, clashes can arise. Whilst this is the reality of team dynamics and the circular process, it doesn’t have to derail progress or grind it to a halt.

Strong team dynamics emerge when:

  • Leaders recognise and value different perspectives
  • Communication styles are acknowledged and adapted
  • Conflict is managed as a growth opportunity

Diverse thinking, when nurtured, leads to better decision-making and innovation.

How Do You Build Trust and Accountability in Teams?

Trust is the bedrock of psychological safety and team accountability. Without it, collaboration falters.

Leaders can build trust by:

  • Training that influences Growth Mindset and mutual trust is fostered
  • Creating space for vulnerability without judgement
  • Honouring commitments and following through on promises which is the bedrock of trust and alignment

When team members trust one another, they take ownership of outcomes and communicate more openly.

Given that every relationship starts with trust, we at Life Puzzle have built this framework into our Leadership & Influence Program. To learn more about how this program helps teams of all sizes build trust, understand influence and grow to understand how to get the best out of each other, click here.

Why Is Communication the Lifeline of Team Success?

Clear communication reduces friction and ensures alignment. Team conflict is often attributed to personal differences or clashing values. In reality, miscommunication lies at the core.

To strengthen communication:

  • Establish clear channels (e.g. daily huddles, shared dashboards)
  • Encourage feedback loops and listening as a leadership skill
  • Train for communication styles awareness and adaptability

Communication fluency transforms misalignment into mutual understanding. Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is at its core the study of how communication, thought and behaviour interact. The most important aspect of Life Puzzle’s trainings is using NLP to communicate with influence and confidence. 

How Can Leadership Shift from Control to Collaboration

Leadership is about influence, not instruction and when we communicate with influence we galvanise others to act. The most effective leaders model curiosity, adaptability, and clarity to ensure that their teams work towards successful organisation outcomes and great leaders often influence others across personal and professional success.

The shift is often a few degrees away from where most leaders thing it is, it’s in these 1% shifts that makes a good leader a great one.

Key shifts include:

  • From giving orders → to co-creating goals
  • From top-down control → to distributed responsibility
  • From fixing problems → to coaching through them

When leaders inspire rather than dictate, team performance goes from business as usual to influential.

What Encourages Real Collaboration Across Teams?

True collaboration stems from respect for each person’s expertise and a culture that rewards contribution.

High-performing teams:

  • Listen and encourage varied ideas and perspectives
  • Foster cross-functional initiatives and outcomes
  • Celebrate collective goals and value individual skills that are shared.

Psychological safety at work is often highlighted by a culture that champions open communication which essential for free-flowing collaboration. 

According to Harvard Business School, when psychological safety exists, team members believe they can take appropriate risks: “admit and discuss mistakes, openly address problems and tough issues, seek help and feedback… and trust that they are a valued member of the team.”

How Should Leaders Manage and Resolve Conflict?

It’s important to make the distinction that avoidance, not conflict, is the enemy of a high-performing team. The best leaders treat conflict as a signal for deeper inquiry and growth.

A powerful reframe.

Conflict resolution strategies include:

  • Addressing issues early, before they fester
  • Facilitating solution-focused conversations
  • Framing disagreements as learning opportunities and
  • Creating a clear line for someone to have the courage to speak to someone that can solve the issue

A proactive mindset toward conflict builds resilience and reduces workplace toxicity. This also includes some more nuanced example of toxicity, it’s not always negativity that causes conflict. Persistent positivity in the face of real problems can be dangerous.

What Actions Build Lasting Trust?

Talk alone isn’t enough. Teams watch what leaders do far more than what they say and just as trust is built on small agreements kept over time, so to is actions that lead to Win/Win outcomes.

To build trust through action:

  • Demonstrate consistency (in values, expectations, and delivery)
  • Celebrate follow-through and integrity
  • Acknowledge missteps and repair quickly with patience and assistance

Trust becomes a cultural norm when it’s modelled daily by leadership and ongoing training and implementation is needed to understand the landscape.

How Do You Build a High-Performing Team?

High-performing teams are built on more than skills. They thrive on shared purpose, autonomy, and mastery, cultivated by leaders who align personal goals with organisational objectives, create opportunities for growth, and celebrate progress. When people feel seen, safe, and supported, they don’t just perform, they excel.

Conflict doesn’t have to be destructive. With the right leadership strategies, clear communication, and trust, moments of friction become opportunities for deeper dialogue and innovation. The true test of leadership is the ability to turn discord into direction, and individuals into a unified, high-performing team.

At Life Puzzle, our Leadership and Influence Program equips leaders with the frameworks, skills, and confidence to make this transformation a reality; helping you unlock potential, harness diversity of thought, and create teams that thrive under pressure.

FAQs

Look for consistent behaviours like poor communication, unresolved team conflict, lack of collaboration, passive-aggressive interactions, and high staff turnover. A toxic workplace often lacks psychological safety, which hinders open dialogue, innovation, and team morale.

Psychological safety in teams allows members to speak up, take risks, and offer new ideas without fear of judgment. This cultivates creativity, improves conflict resolution, and strengthens engagement. When people feel safe, performance and innovation increase significantly.

Managing difficult team members starts with active listening, clear expectations, and regular feedback. Focus on behaviour, not personality, and foster an open dialogue. Coaching conversations, mediation, and role clarity can help shift unproductive dynamics into collaborative progress.

Leaders can enhance communication by setting clear protocols, promoting inclusive discussions, and modelling active listening. Tools like shared digital platforms, regular one-on-ones, and team-building activities improve transparency, alignment, and cross-functional collaboration.

When we understand out teams in a deeper way, we learn how to truly motivate them and ensure they are operating at their best. Patrick Lencioni’s The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team is a great place to start if you are looking for an easy read to help you take a deep dive into this principle.

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a dysfunctional team sitting in silence

High-performing teams don’t happen by accident. They’re built with intention, trust, and consistent leadership. But just as strong culture compounds over time, so too can dysfunction. Team toxicity often takes root quietly hidden beneath KPIs, masked by politeness, and tolerated until it becomes the norm.

As a leader, recognising the subtle signals of a toxic work environment is your first line of defence. The sooner you act, the easier it is to course-correct, rebuild trust, and create an environment where your team thrives, not survives.

What Is Team Toxicity and Why Does It Matter?

Team toxicity refers to a pattern of behaviours and dynamics that erode collaboration, morale, and psychological safety. It’s not always loud or obvious. Sometimes it’s a series of micro-behaviours that sap energy: backchannel gossip, stonewalling, defensiveness, or passive disengagement.

Unchecked, these behaviours lead to:

  • Increased absenteeism and turnover
  • Lower productivity and innovation
  • Erosion of trust and respect
  • A “fear-based” culture where mistakes are hidden, not learned from

In environments like sales teams or cross-functional leadership groups, toxicity can ripple outwards, impacting performance outcomes, revenue, and customer experience.

Recognising the Early Warning Signs of Dysfunction

Most toxic cultures don’t start that way. They drift. The warning signs often appear as:

  • Silence in meetings or reluctance to speak up
  • Cliques or “us vs them” mentalities forming within the team
  • Passive-aggressive remarks or jokes that mask frustration
  • A noticeable drop in participation or enthusiasm
  • Withholding feedback or avoiding difficult conversations
  • Decision-making bottlenecks due to fear of pushback
  • Blame-shifting and lack of accountability

As a leader, pay attention not just to what’s said as it’s what’s unsaid that can often be important. 

We love recommending great books that help further thinking and ideas. Patrick Lencioni’s, The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team,  reveals how five hidden cracks in any team’s foundation can quietly sabotage success, and how fixing them can transform a group into an unstoppable force.

How Leaders Can Create Psychological Safety

Psychological safety is the belief that you won’t be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, or concerns. It’s a foundational element of high-performing teams and the antidote to fear-based culture.

To foster psychological safety:

  • Model vulnerability (admit mistakes, share learning moments)
  • Encourage respectful challenge, even if you disagree
  • Respond to feedback with curiosity, not defensiveness
  • Set behavioural norms for meetings (e.g. “every voice counts”)
  • Address disrespectful behaviour swiftly and constructively

Teams feel safe when leaders make it clear: “You matter. Your voice matters. And we’re in this together.”

It’s important to remember that this topic is nuanced and requires a deeper understanding of the concepts behind it.

For further reading check out this article by the Harvard Business Review.

Building Trust Within Teams – What Really Works

Trust is built by making small agreements that are reinforced by actions repeated over time. It’s about consistency, follow-through, and emotional presence.

Ways to build trust in your team:

  • Do what you say you’ll do (follow-through matters)
  • Encourage open dialogue and admit when you’re wrong
  • Use structured trust-building exercises (e.g. task-focused collaboration or appreciation rounds)
  • Share credit generously and take responsibility when things go wrong

Trust is not a one-off exercise. It’s a living, breathing part of your culture and it starts with you.

Communication: The Glue of Resilient Team Cultures

Misunderstandings don’t just break projects; they break trust. Clear, respectful communication is essential for alignment and resilience.

Improve team communication by:

  • Holding regular check-ins (1:1s and team meetings)
  • Clarifying expectations and roles
  • Using feedback loops to close misunderstandings
  • Creating space for honest, blame-free conversations
  • Leveraging collaboration tools to increase transparency

Teach your team that communication is not just “talking”, it’s making others feel heard and understood and actively being a part of that culture.

Here’s a version tailored to Life Puzzle and the Leadership & Influence program:

Life Puzzle’s Leadership & Influence program equips teams with the communication skills that turn everyday interactions into catalysts for performance. By fostering trust, encouraging constructive dialogue, and aligning every voice to shared goals, we help teams replace misunderstandings with clarity, siloed thinking with collaboration, and hesitation with decisive action. The result is a powerhouse team that not only delivers on targets but does so with cohesion, confidence, and a shared sense of purpose.

Responding to Conflict and Managing Difficult Team Members

Conflict is not the enemy, avoidance is. When conflict is handled well, it strengthens relationships.

If a team member is displaying difficult behaviour:

  • Begin with empathy, ask “what’s behind the behaviour?”
  • Set clear boundaries without shaming
  • Use coaching conversations to shift from blame to responsibility
  • Offer support and clear expectations for change
  • Facilitate structured conflict resolution if needed (mediation, facilitated dialogue)

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques such as reframing and rapport-building are especially effective here, helping redirect unhelpful narratives and create safety for open expression.

Keeping Teams Motivated and Aligned Through Change

Motivated teams believe in what they are doing and believe that their hard work serves a greater purpose. They see how their work connects to something bigger.

To build motivation:

  • Share the “why” behind decisions and goals
  • Acknowledge effort, not just outcomes
  • Use tools like OKRs (Objectives & Key Results) to create alignment
  • Revisit team values and purpose often
  • Celebrate small wins and progress, not just results

Transparency fuels trust. And trust fuels motivation.

Practical Team-Building and Trust Exercises that Actually Work

Trust isn’t built in a single workshop. But it can be built intentionally into your team’s rhythm.

Consider exercises like:

  • Appreciation circles: where each person shares one positive thing about a teammate
  • Storytelling sessions: where people share past challenges or personal lessons
  • Collaboration simulations: where small groups solve a timed challenge together
  • Vulnerability warm-ups: such as “one mistake I learned from this year…”

Encourage your team to be human. High performance starts with humanity.

From Toxic to Thriving – How to Shift a Team Culture

If your team is already showing signs of toxicity, it’s not too late. Here’s how to shift the dynamic:

  • Name it: Acknowledge what’s happening with compassion, not blame
  • Reconnect to purpose: What are we here to do, together?
  • Reset expectations: Clarify behaviours that support trust and those that erode it
  • Lead by example: Your energy, language, and follow-through set the tone
  • Coach consistently: Use both group facilitation and 1:1 leadership coaching
  • Don’t do it alone: Consider a leadership development or NLP partner to guide the shift

Final Thoughts: Spot It Early, Lead It Forward and lean into your leadership journey.

Toxic teams harm culture and stifle creativity. It may not always be clear but that creativity is what drives collaboration, ideas and results. 

The good news? You have the power to change it.

To be a great Leader you don’t need to have all the answers. Asking better questions, listening deeply, and creating the kind of environment where others can shine is part of being a great leader so cultivate these ideals and values.

Spot the signs early. Step in courageously. And remember: high-performing, resilient teams are built by strong and capable leaders.

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A Great Leader Inspires Others To Achieve Their Full Potential.

Why Do Soft Skills Matter More Than Ever in Leadership?

Soft skills are the true differentiators of exceptional leadership. While hard skills might earn a promotion, soft skills determine long-term success, influence, and the ability to inspire teams through change. In a world where AI and automation are reshaping roles, human-centric qualities like empathy, communication, and resilience are now more valuable than ever.

Leadership today is not just about managing outputs—it’s about engaging people. Soft skills enhance team morale, foster loyalty, and improve business results by creating psychologically safe, responsive environments where individuals thrive.

Let’s explore the five soft skills that elevate leadership from competent to exceptional.

1. What Makes Communication the Bedrock of Great Leadership?

Great leaders communicate with clarity, empathy, and consistency.
Effective communication is more than delivering information—it’s about fostering understanding, feedback, and trust. Leaders must master the art of listening as much as speaking, adapting their style to different audiences while remaining authentic and goal-driven.

Key aspects of effective leadership communication include:

  • Active Listening – Demonstrating attention, patience, and interest.
  • Message Tailoring – Adapting tone and language based on context.
  • Feedback Loops – Encouraging open dialogue and course correction.

Example: Leaders who set team-wide daily goals and hold quick stand-up meetings often report a 15–25% improvement in clarity and alignment (Harvard Business Review, 2022).

2. How Do Adaptability and Resilience Future-Proof Leadership?

Adaptability enables responsiveness; resilience ensures recovery.
In uncertain environments, leaders must quickly pivot without losing direction. Those who adapt effectively embrace change, reassess priorities, and inspire confidence even in the face of setbacks. Resilience complements this by helping leaders manage stress, bounce back from failure, and support their teams through adversity.

Indicators of adaptable, resilient leadership:

  • Adjusting strategies in real time
  • Embracing feedback as a growth tool
  • Staying calm under pressure and modelling optimism

Neuroscience insight: Flexible thinking, linked to the brain’s prefrontal cortex, improves problem-solving and reduces burnout (American Psychological Association, 2023).

3. Why Is Emotional Intelligence a Leadership Superpower?

Emotional intelligence (EQ) builds connection, trust, and influence.
High-EQ leaders understand both their own emotions and those of their team. They manage emotional responses, resolve conflict diplomatically, and create a culture of empathy. This makes teams feel seen, valued, and psychologically safe.

Key EQ competencies:

  • Self-awareness – Knowing your emotional triggers.
  • Empathy – Sensing others’ perspectives and needs.
  • Relationship management – Navigating social complexities with ease.

Leaders with high emotional intelligence are 3.2x more effective at retaining talent, according to TalentSmart research.

4. How Do Great Leaders Shape High-Performing Team Dynamics?

Team success stems from psychological safety, shared goals, and human connection.
Outstanding leaders prioritise building team chemistry and alignment. They focus on shared values, celebrate wins, and clarify roles—while ensuring individuals feel respected and recognised.

Tactics to enhance team dynamics:

  • Hold regular retrospectives to reflect and grow
  • Align personal strengths with project goals
  • Encourage peer-to-peer appreciation

A Google study (Project Aristotle) found that psychological safety is the number one predictor of team success.

5. How Can Small, Consistent Actions Improve Leadership Impact?

Minor daily actions lead to major leadership transformation.
Success in leadership isn’t about grand gestures—it’s about deliberate, repeatable behaviours. Whether it’s initiating 1:1s, asking open-ended questions, or showing appreciation, these small steps reinforce trust and progress.

Examples of daily leadership habits:

  • Set one daily intention for team improvement
  • Practice 5-minute gratitude check-ins
  • Use the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritise wisely

According to James Clear’s research on habit formation, improving by 1% daily leads to nearly 38x improvement in a year.

Conclusion: Why Soft Skills Are Non-Negotiable for Great Leadership

Great leadership is no longer defined by technical expertise alone—it’s shaped by the ability to communicate effectively, adapt gracefully, navigate emotion intelligently, build strong teams, and continuously improve. These soft skills are not optional; they are mission-critical for fostering culture, sustaining innovation, and leading with purpose.

Investing in these capabilities elevates not only individual performance but the collective potential of the team. As the workplace evolves, it’s the leaders who prioritise these human-centred skills who will rise above and redefine what greatness looks like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Soft skills in leadership are non-technical abilities like empathy, communication, adaptability, and collaboration that enable leaders to effectively manage people and foster team success.

Emotional intelligence helps leaders understand emotions—both their own and others’. This fosters trust, resolves conflict, and improves communication and motivation across teams.

Adaptability allows leaders to embrace change, solve problems creatively, and maintain team morale even in uncertain or rapidly evolving situations.

Clear, empathetic communication aligns goals, reduces misunderstandings, and builds trust—creating high-functioning, collaborative team cultures.

Yes. Small, daily leadership habits compound over time—driving major improvements in productivity, morale, and team alignment.

how to influence and build trust across generational divides
Summary:
  • Today’s leaders need more than authority—they need influence grounded in trust, emotional intelligence, and clear communication.
  • Leading multi-generational teams requires an adaptive approach to values, expectations, and engagement styles.
  • Gen Z and Millennials are redefining what effective leadership and mentorship look like in the modern workplace.
  • Explore seven practical strategies to build trust, increase buy-in, and strengthen team performance.
  • Bridge the gap between real-world leadership challenges with current thinking in organisational behaviour and high-performance teamwork.

Understanding the Multi-Generational Workforce

The modern workforce now spans four to five generations, each shaped by different economic, cultural, and technological influences. Millennials (born 1981–1996) and Gen Z (born 1997–2012) now make up the majority, and they expect their leaders to provide meaningful feedback, inclusive environments, and clear paths for development.

For any leader, learning how to influence and build trust in this evolving context is not optional—it’s essential.

Establish Authentic Connections

The cornerstone of leadership is trust. Research shows that leaders who demonstrate emotional intelligence and authentic interest in their team members’ wellbeing are better equipped to lead across generations.

Start by creating moments for genuine connection: check-ins, listening sessions, and informal feedback loops. Show up consistently and make your values visible. These habits reinforce your interpersonal ability and credibility.

Incorporating techniques from leadership training programs that focus on soft skills can elevate your ability to lead with empathy and purpose.

Communicate with Clarity and Consistency

Clear communication is essential in any leadership context. But in a multi-generational team, it becomes even more critical. Younger employees want transparency—they value open dialogue and leaders who explain the “why” behind decisions.

Use multiple channels to meet people where they are—from brief video messages and Slack posts to face-to-face conversations. Focus on clarity, not complexity. Leaders with strong communication skills consistently rate higher in trust-building.

Leadership and management courses consistently highlight communication as a core driver of team performance, yet it’s often overlooked in practice.

Empower with Purpose

Purpose is a powerful motivator, especially for Millennials and Gen Z, who want their work to have meaning. Great leaders articulate a compelling vision and connect daily tasks to larger goals.

Patrick Lencioni’s framework from The Five Dysfunctions of a Team underscores the need for commitment—people won’t commit if they don’t buy into the vision. That’s why communicating the “why” is just as important as setting the “what.”

When you focus on how to influence and build trust through shared purpose, you tap into intrinsic motivation and enhance engagement across all generations.

Foster Psychological Safety and Inclusion

Psychological safety is a critical condition for collaboration. It means creating a team culture where individuals feel safe to speak up, ask questions, and admit mistakes without fear of judgment.

This aligns with Lencioni’s first dysfunction: the absence of trust. Without trust, teams operate in silos, and younger employees may disengage or feel undervalued.

Leadership training that integrates DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) practices is especially helpful in developing inclusive leadership qualities. The best leadership qualities aren’t only about decisiveness—they’re about making space for others to thrive.

Be a Mentor, Not Just a Manager

Millennials and Gen Z are hungry for mentorship, not micromanagement. They want leaders who invest in their growth and provide actionable feedback. Formal mentorship programs can help, but even informal guidance matters.

Adopt a coaching mindset: ask powerful questions, challenge assumptions, and celebrate progress. Influential leaders position themselves as partners in their team’s growth.

Leadership and management courses increasingly teach coaching as a foundational skill—and it’s paying dividends in performance and retention.

Build a Feedback-Rich Culture

Feedback is not a once-a-year activity. It should be timely, specific, and development-focused. Gen Z, in particular, prefers frequent micro-feedback over annual reviews.

Make feedback part of your team’s rhythm: include it in weekly stand-ups, project retrospectives, and 1:1s. Use tools like Start/Stop/Continue or Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI) models to keep it constructive.

Knowing how to influence and build trust includes being honest, not just kind. Constructive feedback, delivered with respect, accelerates growth and builds loyalty.

Model the Behavior You Want to See

If imitation is the highest form of flattery then role modelling exceptional behaviour precedes it.

Trust is built through example. Leaders set the tone with their actions more than their words. If you want a culture of accountability, you need to show accountability. If you value creativity, share your learning process and admit your missteps.

This aligns with Lencioni’s principle of accountability. High-functioning teams hold each other accountable, but it starts with the leader modelling it first.

By demonstrating the leadership qualities you expect from others, you influence without forcing compliance—and that’s where real trust is built.

How this works Practically

Here are three evidence-backed techniques leaders are using today:

  • Reverse Mentoring: Younger employees mentor senior staff on tech trends, DEI, and digital fluency. This builds mutual respect and opens dialogue.

Reference: Forbes Leadership Council insights, 2023.

  • Development-Focused Check-Ins: Biweekly sessions that focus on skill development and career pathing are replacing outdated performance reviews.

Reference: Harvard Business Review, “The Feedback Fallacy.”

  • Shared Learning Platforms: Tools like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or internal microlearning libraries help teams learn together, promoting shared language and development goals.

Reference: LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, 2024.

For those of us who grew up with traditional mentoring and leadership methods, newer approaches can feel clunky or unfamiliar. But if we reflect on how previous generations would have understood psychological safety or established systems that championed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and how they have been able to adopt these programs as time has shifted on, then this will give us the courage and the curiosity to learn how to adapt.

These shifts aren’t about discarding experience; they’re about evolving leadership to meet the expectations of today’s workforce—where belonging, open communication, and inclusive leadership are essential. By embracing these new practices, we build on the strengths of the past while creating a more resilient and empowered future.

Leadership Is a Heroes Journey, Not a Climb to the Peak

The ability to lead effectively in a multi-generational workplace isn’t just about age diversity—it’s about adaptability, self-awareness, and a commitment to growth. When leaders prioritise how to influence and build trust through communication, purpose, and authenticity, they become catalysts for high performance.

Invest in your leadership training. Sharpen your interpersonal ability. Revisit the best leadership qualities and put them into practice. The more you integrate these principles, the more natural your leadership presence becomes.

Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about creating space for others to succeed—and knowing that trust, not control, is the real currency of influence.

Key References:

  • Patrick Lencioni, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
  • Harvard Business Review, “The Feedback Fallacy”
  • Forbes Leadership Council Insights, 2023
  • LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, 2024
  • Coursera & LinkedIn Learning Research, 2024

FAQs:

Emerging generations, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, value autonomy, transparency and purpose over hierarchy and command. They’re less responsive to positional authority and more engaged by leaders who build trust, communicate clearly and demonstrate emotional intelligence. Today’s leaders must shift from directing to aligning—using ethical influence, active listening and shared values to create commitment and ownership.

Manipulation relies on pressure, control or hidden agendas. Ethical persuasion, on the other hand, is rooted in clarity, mutual respect and alignment of goals. It involves guiding a conversation through trust-building, storytelling, reciprocity and emotional intelligence. Ethical persuasion doesn’t override someone’s will—it creates the conditions for voluntary, engaged participation.

Start by building trust and rapport. Understand what drives your team—ask questions that uncover their values and motivations. Use storytelling to make your vision relatable and relevant. Lead with transparency and a genuine intention to collaborate. Techniques like the agreement frame, matching communication styles and seeing objections as opportunities to connect can significantly increase your influence without coming across as forceful or transactional.

Seven key techniques stand out: building trust and rapport, developing soft skills, storytelling, using reciprocity, leading with emotional intelligence, understanding cognitive biases and transforming objections into opportunities. These techniques, discussed in the blog, help leaders communicate in ways that resonate across age groups—creating inclusive, high-performing, and values-aligned teams.

Further Reading:

At Life Puzzle, we are always working to find greater ways to build foundational learning that supports what we teach in our Leadership & Influence Program. This Multi-Tiered Program is targeted to coach, lead and develop each area of your business from your Leadership Team, down to the emerging Leaders in your smaller teams.

As part of our programs, we draw extensively on what we have learned from others and the targeted and focused work of great thought leaders. In keeping with the curated topics we discuss in our blogs and channel content, we also look to build on that value with a range of reading that will help you get to the next level.

This month our Author Spotlight is on the work of Patrick Lencioni.

Best-selling author, speaker, and leadership expert, Patrick is known for his practical frameworks on teamwork, organisational health, and leadership development.

Because many on our team love when bookstores have staff recommend their favourite titles, I wanted to include that The Motive is rated as the #1 read by the team at Life Puzzle.

Best for: Building trust, handling objections, creating alignment

This is Lencioni’s cornerstone book and a perfect complement to the themes in your blog. It focuses on the five key issues that cause teams to underperform: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability and inattention to results.

How it connects:
Your blog discusses transforming objections into opportunities, building rapport and aligning diverse perspectives. This book provides the foundational team dynamics and behavioural principles that support those actions—especially trust and constructive conflict.

Best for: Cross-generational leadership, culture building, emotional intelligence

This book expands Lencioni’s thinking beyond teams to the health of the entire organisation. It dives into clarity, leadership behaviour, communication rhythms and values—all crucial when leading across generational lines.

How it connects:
Your blog highlights emotional intelligence, alignment and strategic communication. The Advantage provides a high-level roadmap for embedding those into an organisation’s culture.

Best for: Hiring, coaching and developing influential leaders

This book focuses on the three virtues of an ideal team member: humble, hungry and smart (emotionally, not just intellectually). It’s especially helpful if you’re coaching or building teams with younger workers who value authenticity and growth.

How it connects:
Themes like soft skills, empathy, and leading without dominance are echoed here. It gives leaders a framework for recognising and developing the attributes that make someone naturally influential and collaborative.

Best for: Emerging leaders, leadership mindset, preparing for responsibility

The Motive challenges conventional views of leadership by asking a critical question: why do you want to lead? Lencioni reframes leadership as a responsibility rather than a reward, encouraging leaders—especially new and emerging ones—to evaluate their intentions.

How it connects:
Your blog explores ethical influence, emotional intelligence and leading without pressure. The Motive aligns with these themes by highlighting the importance of service-oriented leadership and the uncomfortable but essential responsibilities that come with it. It’s especially valuable for Gen Z and Millennial professionals shaping their leadership identity and wanting to lead with purpose, not position.

Financial Growth: A Business Professional Stands Behind Stacked Coins, Depicting Financial Growth And Investment Success, Capturing The Essence Of Wealth Management And Prosperity.

Summary:

  • The market is oversaturated with noise making buyers more discerning than ever.
  • To sell authentically you need strong communication skills, confidence to make more sales and build lasting relationships with your clients.
  • Sales skills provide stability in any economy, helping you adapt to market shifts and stay competitive.
  • Sales Skills enhance leadership development by improving influence, problem-solving and inspiring others towards action.

No matter what industry you’re in, sales skills are essential. Whether you’re pitching an idea, negotiating a deal, or simply trying to make an impact, your ability to communicate, build relationships, and confidently convey value can make or break your success. In any economy, booming or (like right now) uncertain, sales skills provide stability, open new opportunities, and enhance leadership development. Which is why building your ability to sell is the key to standing out, securing success, and navigating today’s competitive world with confidence.

Sales Is the #1 Life Skill

Let’s be real—if you can’t sell your ideas, your services, and yourself, you run the risk of becoming invisible. 

In today’s noisy economy, being invisible is the fastest way to being left behind. Many people think that selling is only for sales professionals, but the truth is that we are all selling every single day. Whether you’re negotiating a pay raise, convincing a team to adopt a new strategy, or influencing a client to choose your product for the value it brings; sales skills are at the core of your success.

Sales isn’t about pushy or sleazy tricks—it’s about understanding people, solving problems, and communicating value effectively. The more confidently you can present ideas and navigate conversations, the more opportunities you create for yourself. Mastering these skill allows you to make more sales, increase your influence, and establish yourself as a leader in your field.

If you are thinking that you can’t build you ability to sell quickly, then trust me now and believe me later, you can.

The Role of Communication in Sales Success

At the heart of every great salesperson, leader, and influencer is one common skill—communication. The ability to clearly articulate your message, listen actively, and engage with others in a meaningful way is what sets successful individuals apart. Sales is about building relationships, and relationships thrive on strong communication.

Key elements of effective communication in sales:

  • Active Listening: Truly understanding a prospect’s needs before offering solutions.
  • Storytelling: Framing your message in a way that resonates emotionally and logically.
  • Clarity & Confidence: Expressing ideas concisely with conviction.
  • Non-Verbal Cues: Mastering body language, tone, and eye contact to reinforce trust.

No matter how great your product or service is, if you can’t communicate its value effectively, you’ll struggle to close deals and inspire action. When you improve these skills, you naturally make more sales and build stronger relationships with clients and colleagues alike.

Confidence: The Secret to Sales & Influence

Confidence is one of the most powerful soft skills you can develop. In sales and leadership development, your level of confidence directly influences how others perceive you. When you speak with confidence, people trust you more, listen more attentively, and are more likely to follow your lead.

Many people hesitate when it comes to selling because they fear rejection or sounding too aggressive. But confidence in sales doesn’t come from being pushy—it comes from truly believing in what you’re offering and communicating it with certainty. Confidence allows you to:

  • Handle objections without getting flustered.
  • Stay composed during high-stakes conversations and trust that your prep work is sufficient.
  • Build trust faster and establish authority in your industry.
  • Close deals with ease because you project certainty in your solutions.
  • Trust that you are the leading authority.

When you feel confident in your ability to communicate, you naturally make more sales and increase your impact.

Why Soft Skills Are the Key to Selling & Leading

Technical knowledge and product expertise matter, but what really sets top salespeople and leaders apart is soft skills. These are the interpersonal abilities that allow you to connect, and influence effectively. In fact, many hiring managers and executives rank soft skills higher than hard skills when it comes to long-term success.

Essential soft skills for sales and leadership:

  • Empathy: Understanding the emotions and needs of your audience.
  • Adaptability: Adjusting your approach based on the person or situation.
  • Emotional Intelligence: Recognising and managing your own emotions and those of others.
  • Infulence: Inspire others to act in a way that feels natural and ethical.
  • Resilience: Handling rejection and setbacks without losing motivation.
  • Conversation skills: A two way conversation requires the ability to go deeper and ask questions that inspire thoughtful answers.

When you combine strong communication with these soft skills, you don’t just become better at selling—you become a stronger leader, a better negotiator, and a more influential professional. More importantly, you make more sales by creating real connections and trust with those you engage with.

Leadership & Sales: The Overlapping Skill Set

Many people don’t realise that the best leaders are also the best salespeople. 

Leadership is essentially the ability to influence, inspire, and move people to take action—and that’s exactly what great salespeople do.

Whether you’re a business owner, a team leader, or an aspiring executive, your ability to sell ideas, align people with a vision, and drive action will define your success. Sales skills help leaders:

  • Motivate teams and get buy-in on initiatives.
  • Navigate negotiations and secure the best outcomes.
  • Build relationships that foster collaboration and loyalty.
  • Adapt and thrive in changing business landscapes.

By mastering sales and influence, leaders create workplaces where people feel valued, engaged, and motivated to perform at their best. And as a leader, when you refine your ability to sell ideas and strategies, you make more sales by influencing action in meaningful ways.

Why Sales Skills Matter in Any Economy

Economic uncertainty can make even the most confident professionals feel uneasy. However, sales skills provide stability and opportunity, no matter what the market conditions are. When you know how to sell:

  • You create demand for your skills, making yourself indispensable.
  • You can adapt to shifts in the economy by identifying new opportunities.
  • You develop resilience and problem-solving abilities that keep you ahead of the curve.
  • You never have to worry about job security because you have the ability to generate revenue.

Regardless of the industry, those who master the art of sales will always have a competitive edge. This is why professionals who make more sales are better positioned for long-term success, regardless of economic fluctuations.

Your Next Step: Mastering Confident Sales & Influence

If you’re ready to take your communication, confidence, and leadership development to the next level, then it’s time to invest in yourself. That’s why I’m inviting you to join our FREE 5-Day Confident Closing Challenge.

Starting April 7th, for just 20 minutes a day, you’ll learn how to influence, inspire, and sell without sounding “salesy” or pushy. Whether you’re a business owner, a team leader, or someone who wants to get better at communicating value, this challenge will show you how to:

  • Stand out and close with confidence.
  • Uncover what actually makes people say yes when you have the solutions they need.
  • Build trust faster online, on calls, and in person.

Tired of being overlooked, underpaid, or underestimated? This is your moment. Click the link, save your seat, and let’s make confidence your new currency.

Learn More & Register HERE

FAQs

Sales skills ensure job security, adaptability, and long-term career success by helping you create demand, build relationships, and navigate economic changes confidently. Whilst many shy away from the field out of fear and the misconception that Sales are “icky and sleazy” there is a way that you can sell authentically and with intention.

Soft skills like empathy, emotional intelligence, and adaptability help build trust, improve communication, and make it easier to connect with clients and close deals. The ability to inspire a conversation is slowly leaving the workforce at a time when we may need it most. The marketplace is oversaturated with competition and if you want to make sales (the lifeblood of any business) then your ability to communicate is more valuable than ever before.

Absolutely! Sales and leadership both require influence, and strong communication skills to inspire teams towards action authentically. ​Life Puzzle’s Leadership & Influence Program is designed to cultivate a workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent by focusing on personal and professional growth at all organizational levels. Recognising that leadership and influence are deeply rooted in effective sales & communication this program emphasises practical exercises and personalised coaching to develop essential sales & communication skills. ​

Developing your soft skills is in demand, and now is the time to ensure that you are standing out. Refining your messaging ensures that you are talking to clients who are looking for what you have to offer and the solutions you can ensure. Think of it like SEO, you want to find more clients who are asking the questions that your product or service offers. Finally, focus on delivering value rather than just selling, it will ensure that you build your profile. Remember as always, confidence grows with experience and continuous learning.

Life Puzzle offers tailored and On-Demand Sales training that will help you refine your selling. For a comprehensive training, Confident Conversion: 90 days to More Cash, More Clients and More Impact is designed to help you build your business and your sales from end to end. If you are looking for something a little more express, then why not learn more about Ready Set Sell, 30 Day Sales Accelerator. If you are just starting out and want to see how Life Puzzle can help you make more says in just a few days then join the 5-Day Confident Closing Challenge, to sharpen your ability to communicate, influence, and make more sales effectively.

Further Reading

My best-selling Book, Confident Closing: Sales Secrets That Grew A Business by 400% in Six Months and How They Can Work For You! is FREE for a limited time on Kindle!

The book is based on my popular trainings which I presents online and in person. 

These have dramatically increased the income and effectiveness of hundreds of participants. If you think selling is ‘icky’ and never want to be pushy or aggressive, but struggle to close sales and reach your monthly income targets. 

This book will change your viewpoint… and, if you apply the principles you’ll find in these pages, it will also improve your results in every area of life as well as multiplying your income.

Learn how to communicate like a leader and enhance team performance

Summary:

  • Words influence perceptions, decisions, and leadership impact.
  • Effective communication is a learned skill that drives workplace success.
  • Soft skills like active listening and emotional intelligence are often missing in the workplace.
  • Adapting language to your audience improves influence and engagement.
  • Leaders who master communication build trust, inspire action, and drive results.

Ever walked away from a conversation feeling misunderstood or worse, left someone feeling unheard?

The way we communicate, whether in leadership, sales, or everyday workplace interactions, shapes our success more than we realise. It’s no secret that there are varied degrees of skill when it comes to how we communicate. Those with influence seem to weave story and substance effortlessly when in reality, those grand TED Talks and Keynote Speeches are carefully constructed journeys. It’s true, there are some that have a natural inclination to be able to steer conversations but what is not widely known is that it is a skill that can be built and perfected. Life Puzzle offers focused Presentation or Speaker Training as part of our tailored Leadership & Influence Program and our Bespoke Speaker Training. Both programs are offered in-house and on demand but first, let’s dive deep into the hidden power of words and how they influence our personal and professional impact.

The Words You Choose Define Your Outcomes

A staggering 7% of communication is conveyed through words, while tone and body language make up the remaining 93%. Yet, that 7% forms the foundation of clarity, persuasion, and leadership. The right words can build rapport, drive decisions, and inspire action, while the wrong ones can create confusion, tension, or missed opportunities. If you’ve ever wondered, “How to communicate like a leader?”, the answer lies in mastering your words.

I often say, “Worlds are Our World”, they shape our experiences and how we convey that to others. The words we use to talk to ourselves are perhaps the most powerful but running close are the words we use to influence others and lead them towards outcomes.

Developing this skill in the workplace is vitally important from leadership to team. Many professionals excel in the technical aspects of their jobs but struggle with influence and persuasion. Your ability to communicate helps bridge the gap between knowledge and leadership, transforming passive conversations into powerful tools for progress and innovation. The challenge and the opportunity is being able to make every conversation one that leads your audience where you want them to go or galvanise to heights even you couldn’t have expected.

Communication vs. Simply Talking: The Leadership Edge

Many people talk, but few truly communicate. There’s a crucial difference between making noise and making an impact. Those who excel in communication understand that their role is not just to speak but to connect, engage, and build deep relationships of trust. Communication skills in the workplace are similar but encompass more than just talking; they involve active listening, empathy, and strategic messaging.

When addressing your team, do you say, “We need to do better,” or do you clarify and build context by saying, “To improve our results, we need to increase client engagement by 20% over the next quarter”? The former is vague and lacks critical thinking; the latter provides clarity, direction, and a measurable outcome. The startling difference shows a leader who has identified a strategy that inspires action and set a clear heading for others to follow.

Many leaders unknowingly use language that creates distance instead of connection. Simple shifts like replacing “but” with “and,” or mirroring a team member’s preferred communication style (visual, auditory, or kinaesthetic) can drastically improve engagement and performance.

Another often overlooked element is non-verbal communication. Eye contact, posture, and tone all impact how messages are received. Have you ever seen a leader whose words sound confident but whose body language suggests hesitation? Mixed signals can weaken authority. Strengthening by drawing links involves aligning both verbal and non-verbal cues. Anchoring experiences with your audience can bring life to a metaphor and pinning those experiences on the varied communication styles is equally as powerful.

Small tip: the next time you are giving your audience an opportunity to draw up notes or develop a plan, use music that inspires focus and visualisation. When we visualise an outcome, we are ‘stepping into’ that frame.

Soft Skills That Are Missing in the Workplace

We have come a long way in the last 10 years when it comes to technological advancement. Technology that was in it’s infancy pre-2020 is now jumping ahead of the workforce faster than teams can adapt and implement. Whilst most of us are marvelling at the speed Open-Ai can create a months worth of Social Marketing Content, it is working in the back ground of almost everything we do.

The rise of computer based learning and working has however created a growing rift in many industries. The most significant gap these advancements are leaving in workplace are human-centric skills. Leaders and employees alike are now struggling with:

  • Active listening
  • Emotional intelligence and maturity
  • Clarity in message
  • The ability to adapt and think on your feet, and more frighting,
  • Confidence in speaking, one on one or to a group.

The reason you should be concerned about the lack of confidence in communicating one on one is that most service and product based businesses, rely on this skill to do even the most basic tasks, let alone conduct sales. The truth is that most people listen to respond, not to understand. When asked, younger generations entering the workplace have responded that conversations stir feelings of anxiety and fear with a preference to responding by text or message. The reason this is alarming is it shows the lack of tailoring conversations and quick thinking. Recognising and managing emotions in conversations takes emotional depth, understanding and mastery. Articulating thoughts in a structured, persuasive way requires a strategy and the ability to cater to different audiences.

In order to ensure that a younger workforce who is missing the guidance of older generations leave the workplace it’s necessary to ensure that we are training emerging leaders to understand that whilst technology will be the driving force in how we connect, work and play there will still be the need to clearly and concisely communicate. Whether you’re leading a team or presenting an idea, mastering this skill determines how effectively you can inspire and influence others AND interact with new and emerging technologies.

Imagine a workplace where employees hesitate to speak up because they feel unheard. Now, envision a workplace where open dialogue is encouraged, and leaders set the tone for clear, constructive conversations. The difference? Strong communication skills that create a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration.

How to Communicate Like a Leader: Influence & Inspire

At Life Puzzle we believe that Sales is the #1 Life Skill as we believe that we are all in the business of sales. Realistically, when you enter a sales conversation, you are communicating about value and influencing your buyer to believe congruently that you have the solution to their problem and in truth, every conversation you have is a sale of influence.

Communication isn’t just about words—it’s about how those words are delivered and received. Skilled leaders understand the power of tone, pacing, and storytelling. Here are some key techniques to build a culture of skilled communicators:

Future-Pacing Conversations

Instead of saying, “We need to improve,” try, *“Imagine the impact we’ll have when we improve our client response time by 20%. It means happier clients, higher retention, and a stronger team.” Future-pacing helps listeners visualise the benefits of action, increasing motivation and buy-in.

Framing for Outcomes

Great communicators start with the end in mind. Instead of vague instructions, they use specific framing. To understand more how you can use this powerful communication tool, you can watch a Webinar that I did recently with Peter Cronin on the subject HERE (https://3sales.me/framing)

Mastering Tonality for Authority & Trust

Did you know that ending sentences on an upward tone makes you sound uncertain? Leaders who project confidence use a downward inflection, ensuring their words sound definitive rather than questioning.

Using the Right Modal Operators

Words like “try” or “might” weaken authority. Instead of saying, “I’ll try to send that report,” say, “I will send the report by 3 PM.” If you are leading a team, be one that your team can depend on. (in the wise words of Yoda – DO or DO NOT, there is no ‘try’)

The Power of Storytelling

Stories resonate more than facts. If you want to inspire action, frame your point within a relatable story. A leader who shares a personal challenge and its resolution creates emotional connection and engagement. They also give those looking for a mentor a framework for success.

Understanding Different Communication Preferences*

Some people process information visually (Visual communicators will respond more deeply when asked “Can you see the big picture?”), while others respond to auditory cues (“Does that sound good to you?”) or kinaesthetic language (“Let’s walk through this together.”).

Recognising and adapting to these preferences enhances rapport and understanding.

*In Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) this is a powerful way of tailoring your communication to land firmly. If you want to learn more about Communication styles, we at Life Puzzle developed a short tool to help you HERE.

Unlocking Your Communication Superpower

Language is an underrated superpower in leadership and business success. It’s not just about saying the right thing—it’s about saying it in a way that lands. Life Puzzle’s tailored training can refine these abilities, but practice and implementation is key.

To improve your communication abilities today:

  • Notice how your tone and word choices impact others.
  • Actively listen instead of mentally preparing your response.
  • Adapt your language to the person you’re speaking with.
  • Frame requests with clear outcomes.
  • Use storytelling to create connection and influence.

Strong skills in the workplace aren’t just about technical expertise; they’re about how effectively you engage and lead. Words are powerful tools—when used intentionally, they unlock success, build trust, and elevate leadership impact.

So, the next time you communicate, ask yourself: Am I just talking, or am I truly connecting?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Leaders can combat the erosion of soft skills by implementing a structured communication skills course that focuses on active listening, empathy, and adaptability. Encouraging mentorship and providing real-world opportunities to practice communication abilities fosters continuous improvement and ensures long-term impact.

To improve communication skills in the workplace, leaders should prioritise clarity, openness, and active listening. Establishing feedback mechanisms, using storytelling for engagement, and adapting communication styles to suit different audiences all contribute to a stronger team dynamic and increased collaboration. Good Team Rhythm includes structured and organised meetings to discuss strategy, develop a sharp agenda to ensure you stay on point and encourage open dialogue, round robin chairing and Mastermind Learning to supercharge these sessions for maximised productivity.

A deficiency in emotional intelligence often leads to misunderstandings, unresolved conflicts, and low morale. Leaders who struggle with this may face difficulties in building trust and fostering a cohesive team culture. Remember that a culture of continuous improvement means that even Leaders need to upskill too. To adapt and level up your communication, see the further reading included in this post, in particular, Radical Candour by Kim Scott

These titles have been selected and curated from our Tailored Leadership Program’s Executive Leadership Mastermind. To Learn more about this program CLICK HERE.

Adaptability in communication is key to skilled leadership as it ensures leaders can effectively convey messages across diverse teams and situations. Leaders who tailor their approach based on audience preferences be that visual, auditory, or kinaesthetic, create stronger connections and improve message retention. The best presentations hit all of these emotional queues with ease. Consider developing a series of powerful metaphors that you can use to inspire, align and galvanise your audience.

Life Puzzle offers tailored Speaker and Presenting training, learn more HERE.

Regular, constructive feedback is essential for developing strong communication skills and adaptability. Leaders who offer specific, actionable feedback create an environment where continuous learning is valued, fostering professional growth and improved communication across all levels of the organisation.

By focusing on these areas, leaders can effectively address the challenges posed by the decline of soft skills in the workplace, ensuring their teams remain engaged, communicative, and high-performing.

Examples of Great Communicators that will inspire you:

Studying exemplary communicators offers valuable insights into effective leadership communication. Here are a few notable figures:

Known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” Warren Buffett emphasizes clarity and simplicity in his communication. He believes that mastering the art of communication can significantly enhance one’s professional value. Buffett once told a class of business students that improving their communication skills could increase their value by 50% immediately. His annual letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders are lauded for their straightforwardness and transparency, making complex financial information accessible to all readers.

A dynamic motivational speaker and author, Mel Robbins is celebrated for her candid and relatable communication style. She connects with audiences by sharing personal experiences and practical advice, making her messages both impactful and actionable. Robbins’ approach demonstrates the power of authenticity and vulnerability in building trust and inspiring change.

Renowned for his research on persuasion, Robert Cialdini has uncovered fundamental principles that make communication more influential. His seminal book, “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion,” outlines strategies such as reciprocity, commitment, and social proof. Cialdini’s work underscores the importance of understanding human psychology to craft messages that resonate and persuade.

Dr. Brené Brown is a research professor, author, and speaker known for her work on vulnerability, courage, and leadership. Her personal, humorous, and deeply relatable communication style endears her to audiences worldwide. Brown’s TED Talk, The Power of Vulnerability, is one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time, demonstrating her ability to connect on an emotional level. By embracing authenticity, she inspires leaders to cultivate trust and meaningful connections in both personal and professional settings.

Further Reading:

At Life Puzzle, we believe that reading is one of the best resources when wanting to level up. We use the following reading list as part of our Leadership & Influence Program and have been curated for our trainings both in-house or with our strategic partners.

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz offers a powerful yet practical guide to personal freedom and self-mastery. Rooted in timeless wisdom, it presents four simple but transformative principles that help break self-limiting beliefs, improve communication, and cultivate a mindset of clarity and confidence. This book isn’t about religion or mysticism—it’s about actionable insights that anyone can apply to navigate life with greater ease, authenticity, and resilience.

It is one of my personal favourites and can be enjoyed by all even if you are looking for the message and lessons it tells.

Happy reading and learning:

Impact Players: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply Your Impact Paperback – Liz Wiseman

Radical Candor: Fully Revised and Updated Edition: How to Get What You Want by Saying What You Mean Paperback – Kim Scott

The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People Paperback –  Gary Chapman

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom – Don Miguel Ruiz

An Inspirational Coaching Concept Image Showcasing A Mentor Giving Personal Growth And Development Advice, With A Focus On Career Advancement, Skill Improvement, Overcoming Barriers to Success
Summary
  • Self-doubt in business often stems from gaps in delegating core organisational outcomes, project management, team dynamics, and advanced leadership principles.
  • Without clear, measurable objectives and a robust strategic plan, overcoming barriers grows difficult.
  • Poor communication and weak team dynamics can derail innovation and collaborative success.
  • Embracing change through regular leadership training, nurturing success habits, sharpening executive thinking, and investing in leadership development can transform your business.

Success is rarely about luck or external circumstances alone. More often, the obstacles leaders face come when traditional archetypes and motivations to lead hold us back from transformative leadership. I often reflect on my own mentors advice, “When in a position of leadership, lead”, which inspired me to take a deeper look at the core elements that high-performing business leaders use to secure lasting success. Read on to discover how you can overcome these challenges, rise to the call and set yourself on a course toward long-term achievement.

Addressing Deeper Personal Barriers in Business Leadership

Self-doubt in the business world is not merely about an inner critic or negative self-talk. Often, it originates from a systemic shortfall in understanding essential business outcomes, effective project management, team dynamics, and the advanced leadership principles that high-performing executives depend on. When you feel uncertain about your ability to drive results, it is not simply personal insecurity—it frequently signals that you may be missing crucial knowledge in areas that underpin strategic success.

Many senior leaders experience persistent self-doubt because they have not fully mastered the frameworks that drive successful business outcomes. For example, lacking clarity on core metrics such as market positioning, profitability, and competitive strategy can seriously undermine your confidence. Without a firm grasp of these fundamentals, even the most talented leader may struggle to make critical decisions or inspire their team with a compelling vision. This gap in knowledge disrupts success habits and weakens your own ability to rationalise what is a priority and what is not.

Furthermore, effective project and team management lie at the heart of operational success. If you are uncertain about how to structure projects, delegate tasks, or build a cohesive team, you may find yourself buried in the weeds. This issue goes beyond basic people management—it reflects a deficiency in the success habits that include setting clear performance indicators, remaining as agile as possible, and fostering a culture of ownership. Many high-performing executives invest in regular leadership training to learn best practices in project management and team cohesion. Without these skills, self-doubt can become a major barrier, stifling your executive thinking and impeding leadership development.

Life Puzzle’s Leadership & Influence Program fosters a culture that attracts and retains top talent by enhancing communication, critical thinking, and personalised coaching for all levels of your business. This multi-tiered program emphasises group dynamics and practical exercises, empowering participants to achieve visible goals, intrinsic motivation and Business Leadership Mastery.

Standing in the Way of Progress

In today’s rapidly evolving business environment, senior leaders must continually invest in their growth. Relying solely on past success isn’t enough. To stay competitive, leaders need to build strong internal skills—such as business mastery and critical self-reflection—while also leveraging external tools like effective team development, AI-powered project management, and smart revenue optimisation strategies.

Many C-suite and cross-functional teams work hard to maintain smooth operations, but truly visionary leaders ensure that the right people occupy key roles. For example, essential functions like vision, leadership, product innovation, marketing, conversion, and operations require active oversight—they don’t run themselves.

Effective leadership means balancing a detailed focus with a big-picture perspective to transform uncertainty into strategic clarity. If you’re experiencing self-doubt, it may signal a need to strengthen your grasp of key business fundamentals or improve project and team management. By cultivating robust success habits, you’ll be better equipped to set ambitious goals, delegate effectively, and drive your organisation forward.

This will form the cornerstone of solid executive thinking and long-term leadership growth.

Setting Goals and Building a Solid Foundation

Clear goals and a well-considered strategy are indispensable for any successful career. If your goals are vague or overly ambitious without a structured plan, it is easy to lose focus. Here are several critical aspects to consider:

Many professionals fail to set specific objectives. Without SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals, your journey towards success can feel aimless. By establishing clear targets, you not only crystallise your ambitions but also foster success habits that drive steady progress. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your goals sharpens your executive thinking and keeps your leadership development on track. This method is a proven aspect of leadership training programmes that many high-performing businesses use.

The Revolving Door of Successful Execution

This clarity allows you and your teams to Activate the plan when ready, Calibrate on circumstances and metrics, Accelerate towards to deadline and Celebrate when you reach it.

A solid understanding of financial management is also crucial. Whether you are handling personal finances or at the helm of your business, financial literacy underpins your ability to make informed decisions from a place of empowerment rather than impoverishment. Several books recommended by personal mentors and leaders can help you build the fundamental understanding you need, see the FAQs section for my personal recommendations, and remember that sound financial advice from a professional accountant is needed when it comes to directing the flow of resources. Being abreast of budgeting and financial planning can enhance your executive thinking and lay a strong foundation for effective leadership development. Financial acumen is a key success habit that every business leader must develop even if it is to know when you have the resources you need to sustain growth or you are looking to scale to the next level.

Achievable Goals vs. Stretch Goals

While it is important to aim high, setting unrealistic expectations can set you up for disappointment. Balancing ambition with practical, incremental progress is vital. Focusing on developing strategic thinking and the tools to lead with success requires emphasis on steady improvement. Regular leadership training and mentorship ensure that you have the tools to adjust your plans as circumstances evolve, further bolstering your executive thinking and overall development.

A strategic plan acts as a roadmap to success. Without it, you risk reacting to situations rather than steering your business productively. Using frameworks such as SMART goals to define targets, The Traction Method to design and execute projects and kanban to ensure momentum is the backbone of the development of your business. What ties it all together is a commitment to consistency. 

That being said, when we are set on achieving the achievable, we can always add a little bit of stretch to get better than we expected. Remember to develop a path of least resistance and remain consistent.

As I always say, Simplicity x Consistency = Great results

Communication, Team Dynamics, and Interpersonal Skills

Effective communication is vital for personal and professional growth. Poor communication can derail projects, create misunderstandings, and erode your teams trust. Costing you precious time, energy and critical thinking getting lost in the weeds with operational headaches.

The Challenge and the Opportunity

If you struggle to articulate your ideas clearly, you risk losing the trust and confidence of your team and stakeholders. Clear communication is a cornerstone of sales so, why not consider each conversation a opportunity to make some sales. At Life Puzzle we believe that Sales is the #1 Life Skill because you are always selling your ideas, your value and your ability build deep, congruent trust between yourself, your prospects and your clients.

My book, Confident Closing isn’t just about learning how to make sales easily and effortlessly, it’s also a case study on how to build your influence and master communication.

You can also improve these skills through Life Puzzle’s tailored speaker training.

Success is rarely achieved in isolation. If your team lacks cohesion or fails to align with your vision, the entire organisation can suffer. Encouraging open dialogue, recognising individual contributions, and engaging in regular team strategy are practical ways to improve dynamics. When you foster an environment where every member feels valued, you cultivate collective success that elevate overall performance.

Not Just Another Breakfast Meeting

Networking is not merely about handing out business cards; it is about building genuine relationships that open doors and provide valuable insights. What one leader is going through there are 10 others who have either crossed the desert or are in third iteration of what you are experiencing. Which is why it’s so important to approach the opportunity to network and learn from others with two ears and one mouth.

Industry Programs or Conferences will also build your Interpersonal skills, your ability to engage and inspire is the glue that holds successful teams together, so bringing your team along or mapping what you learn across to them is a great way to deepen trust and relationships.

Embracing Change and Continuous Improvement

The final barrier to achieving the success you deserve is often your ability to adapt and evolve. In a rapidly changing world, continuous improvement is paramount.

The Summit Does Not Exist

Clinging to old ways can be a major roadblock. The business landscape is ever-changing, and what worked yesterday may no longer be effective today. Embracing change means adopting flexible and forward-thinking tools. By integrating continuous learning into your routine—through regular leadership training and dedicated leadership development programmes—you enhance your ability to think fast and slow when needed most.

Taking full ownership for your actions is a hallmark of successful leaders. Avoiding ownership means missing out on opportunities to learn from mistakes; a mindset that is more detrimental when you aren’t able to rationalise the value of a mistake vs the cost of more expensive one down the line.

Cultivating a mindset that values personal accountability is crucial for driving lasting and positive change. Reflect on your decisions, learn from setbacks, and view challenges as growth opportunities. This approach sharpens your thinking and reinforces the importance understanding your own hero’s journey.

Many professionals neglect their personal growth by assuming their current skills are or will be sufficient when nothing could be further from the truth. In last weeks post I talked about how some leaders are motivated to step up under the illusion that responsibilities shrink the further you move up the chain. In reality , if you want to excel in leadership it means understanding challenges simply don’t vanish but intensify, demanding every tool in your arsenal to turn overcome them the further you go.

Activate, Calibrate, Accelerate & Celebrate

Setting clear goals and establishing a strong strategic foundation are crucial for navigating challenges and driving success.

Effective communication and strong team dynamics are also key to achieving collaboration and progress. The ability to adapt and maintain a balanced perspective is essential in today’s fast-changing environment.

By focusing on key details while keeping the bigger picture in mind, you can turn uncertainty into purposeful action. Overcoming challenges requires continuous refinement and growth.

Reassess your goals, seek feedback, and take deliberate actions to build a solid foundation for long-term success. The choices you make today shape the future of your business—step up and invest in your leadership potential.

FAQs:

Senior leaders can view self-doubt not as a setback but as an indicator of areas for improvement. In today’s ever-changing business landscape, continuous personal development is essential to master leadership challenges. By regularly assessing your capabilities and identifying opportunities for growth, you can convert self-doubt into a valuable asset. This proactive approach not only addresses gaps in critical skills but also builds confidence, ultimately strengthening both the individual and the organization. Moreover, when mentoring future leaders, the lessons you learn can serve as powerful examples to guide and inspire them.

Developing a detailed business or strategic plan requires both big-picture thinking and careful attention to the metrics needed to implement the plan. For a growing business, comprehensive projects are necessary to ensure that all key areas can support the growth phase without faltering. The ability to design these projects, prevent team burnout, and guide the process to completion is inherently collaborative. With numerous project management methodologies available, the simplest approach is to establish organization-wide clarity about what you aim to achieve, why it matters, and how to mobilize your team toward clear objectives. Begin by focusing on three high-priority areas—time, team, and money—and develop a plan to optimize each.

Many professionals mistakenly view training and mentorship as a waste of time, when in fact, they save valuable resources in the long run. A well-educated team is an invaluable asset, even for highly skilled leaders. Consider keeping it simple with short, focused training sessions and executive coaching that reinforces a big-picture strategy to sharpen leadership thinking. At Life Puzzle, we have adopted a professional rhythm that includes weekly team meetings to discuss strategy, brief daily check-ins to manage day-to-day tasks, and weekly retrospectives to ensure that every team member has the support needed to finish strong. Additionally, quarterly meetings are held to develop strategic projects and delegate responsibilities, embedding leadership development into the organizational culture. Just as a well-oiled machine is serviced regularly, your skills—and those of your team—should be continually refined.

Advanced project management techniques are crucial for improving clarity, accountability, and team cohesion. Using SMART goal-setting defines clear objectives, while the Kanban method ensures continuous momentum. Together, these approaches enable teams to maintain focus, adapt to evolving circumstances, and continuously enhance their collaborative rhythm. By delegating tasks effectively and establishing measurable performance indicators, leaders can break down systemic barriers, foster strong team dynamics, and guide the organization toward sustained success.

Financial literacy is a cornerstone of business ownership. A solid grasp of financial management equips leaders to assess budgets, allocate resources wisely, and make decisions that address both immediate operational needs and long-term strategic goals. This expertise also helps leaders determine when to exercise fiscal discipline and when to invest in innovation and growth opportunities. By integrating financial analysis into strategic planning, leaders can strike a balance that ensures sustainable progress while fostering an environment conducive to innovative, sustainable growth.

Further Reading:

Our Leadership & Influence Program includes a monthly reading list and mastermind group. Here are some recommended readings based on our participants’ experiences. Remember, while these books provide valuable insights, nothing replaces the guidance of tailored professional advice when it comes to financial matters. These recommendations are an excellent starting point for learning how to build the business of your dreams.

Making Money Is Killing Your Business: Second Edition: How to Build a Business You’ll Love and Have a Life, Too – Chuck Blakeman

Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! – Robert T. Kiyosaki

The Ultimate Blueprint for an Insanely Successful Business – Keith J. Cunningham

Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine – Mike Michalowicz

Walt Disney Pictures Life Puzzle Media

Summary:

  • Leadership success is driven by self-mastery, decisiveness, and the ability to inspire others
  • Sustainable success relies on structured routines and a strong emotional drive
  • Ensure that habits are reinforced with purpose and passion.
  • Communication is a Leadership Tool, evidence by effective leaders who inspire trust and alignment with grand vision
  • High performers ensure success utilising preparation, mentorship, and self-confidence to make bold decisions.
  • Success comes from taking full ownership of actions and embrace evolution of character to drive meaningful change.

The Tallest Tower of the Castle

Success leaves clues, and few leaders have provided as many as Bob Iger, the visionary CEO behind Disney’s transformation. In his book, The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company, Iger chronicles the pivotal moments, challenges, and strategic decisions that reshaped Disney into the global entertainment powerhouse it is today. Through insightful reflections, he reveals how he steered the company out of a period of uncertainty and reinvigorated its creative and business vision, cementing Disney’s legacy as storytellers of our collective and enduring childhood.

Through strategic acquisitions, innovation, and masterful communication. His leadership offers timeless lessons on self-mastery, influence, and the power of decisive action. Iger has also been described as congruently connected to the vision and values established by the company’s founder, Walt Disney and has often credited the Vision of Walt Disney as being the driving force behind the growth and success of the business in recent years.

What sets leaders like Iger apart from the rest? Beyond strategy and execution, high-performing CEOs share an internal blueprint for success. A set of routines, mindsets, and skills that propel them forward. Exploring the deeper lessons that professionals and leaders can adopt to elevate themselves and their teams is a masterclass in finding your own road map to success.

The Leadership Formula: Mastering Influence & Confidence

Leadership isn’t about controlling outcomes—it’s about shaping them. 

High achievers understand that influence starts with self-mastery. Confidence, clarity, and adaptability don’t happen by chance—they’re built through consistent habits. Bob Iger’s ability to make bold, strategic decisions, from acquiring Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm to reshaping Disney’s creative vision, wasn’t just about gut instinct. It was the result of disciplined routines that reinforced his leadership mindset and decision-making ability. 

Success, whether in leading a global corporation or a small team, isn’t just about intelligence or talent. It’s about stacking the right habits—ones that foster decisiveness, resilience, and vision—until they become second nature. The more you refine your personal rhythm, the more effortlessly you inspire others to act with confidence and purpose. 

Habit Stacking & Emotional Drive: The Foundation of Sustainable Success

One of the lesser-known strategies of high performers is habit stacking, a technique that builds new success behaviours by linking them to existing routines. This concept, popularised by James Clear in Atomic Habits, is a cornerstone of many great leaders’ routines. However, habits alone aren’t enough—emotional drive and the connection to values and vision plays a crucial role in sustaining long-term success.

For Iger, the discipline of structure and routine played a crucial role in his leadership style. He famously starts his day before sunrise, dedicating time to exercise, reflection, and preparation. This intentional approach to time management is something every leader can learn from, simply by starting the day with clarity fosters better decision-making and problem-solving.

Consider your own daily habits:

  • What behaviours are reinforcing your leadership growth?
  • Where can you integrate small, high-impact changes?
  • How can you stack new success habits onto your existing routine?

Leadership Confidence: A Clear & Compelling Vision

Success is not just about strategic acquisitions. If you are a start-up looking to build influence there may not yet be occasion for you to add to what you are already building, in fact in this pioneering stage of building a business it is about establishing and communicating a vision that others can believe in and be inspired by.

In the corporate world, communication is the single most underestimated leadership skill and one that research shows is slowly disappearing from tomorrow’s leaders. It is not just about delivering a message; it’s about ensuring that message moves people into action. Leaders who refine their communication skills can inspire or deepen trust, drive alignment, and create momentum in their organisations

To elevate your communication:

  • Focus on clarity over complexity – the best leaders simplify, not complicate.
  • Lead with emotional intelligence – understanding how to connect with people is just as crucial as delivering facts.
  • Listen actively – influence is built by those who listen, not just those who speak.

Exceptional leadership is defined by the ability to simplifying communicate at a high level, whilst zooming down into the details where needed. It requires a deep understanding of human dynamics, in order to facilitate deep trust and connection. The most effective leaders however, know when to speak and when to listen, recognising that the most powerful insights often come from understanding before responding, asking for clarification when something is not entirely clear.

Overcoming Self-Doubt: Illuminating your Shadows to Highlight Growth Areas

Even the best leaders have faced self-doubt. Many professionals struggle with being steadfastly confident. It is not difficult to fall victim to itty bitty sh**ty committee. In Australia, the phenomenon of “Tall Poppy Syndrome” constantly undermines the success and wins many leaders leaving them questioning whether they truly belong at the top. The difference? High performers reframe doubt as fuel for growth.

Bob Iger stepped into leadership during uncertain times, often making high-stakes decisions that shaped Disney’s future. He didn’t let fear of failure hold him back—instead, he relied on preparation, self-confidence, and trusted advisors to make bold calculated moves. Building a team that supports you to make decisions that are either difficult or perhaps against the better judgement of the expected is essential to establishing clear paths to success. 

Patrick Lencioni’s Working Genius framework identifies that the six key strengths of wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanising, Enablement, and Tenacity are what drive successful teams. By understanding where individuals thrive and where they struggle, teams can improve collaboration, enhance productivity, and align work with natural talents to achieve greater impact. 

If you want to lead with confidence:

  • Recognise that uncertainty is a constant, but your response to it determines your success. We cannot control the winds of circumstance, but we can adjust our sails to chart as smooth journey.
  • Invest in personal development and mentorship. 
  • Cultivate an executive presence – your posture, tone, and energy can shift how others perceive your leadership.  

Ongoing development is more about understanding yourself in order to better understand others. When a leader is focused on guiding others, it is a telling signal that they are a leader who has been to the top of the mountain only to learn that growth doesn’t stop at the top. They have also learned that it becomes essential to continue to grow as your responsibilities become more complex in leadership.

Life Puzzle offers Speaker and Multi-tiered Leadership programs that can be tailored to address the needs of you and your team, find out more here. 

Personal Ownership & Accountability: The Key to Real Change

Success is built on taking full ownership of actions and outcomes. Leaders who fall into the trap of blaming external circumstances weaken their ability and credibility to create change. Instead, top performers operate from a cause-and-effect mindset—they choose to take charge, control their outcomes, and set clear, intentional goals.

Personal ownership begins with a shift in mindset. Replacing “I should” with “I choose” reframes decisions as deliberate actions rather than obligations. This subtle but powerful change fosters accountability, reinforcing the idea that every outcome (positive or formative) is a direct result of personal choice. True leadership is built on this foundation of responsibility, where success is not dictated by external pressures but by intentional, value-driven decisions. 

It is also understanding the true value or cost of a mistake.

Equally important is the ability to recognise self-sabotage. Identifying the unconscious patterns that hinder progress allows for proactive change, whether through personal development or professional growth. Surrounding yourself with the right influences is just as crucial. 

As my grandmother often said, “Show me your friends, and I will tell you who you are.” The people we engage with shape our perspectives, expectations, and ultimately our values. If leadership is your goal, then seeking out those who embody it in action rather than words.

Leadership Is Dedicating Yourself to Mastery

The habits of high performers like Bob Iger, Satya Nadella of Microsoft, and Mary Barra of General Motors all point to a universal truth: success is not an accident, it is intentional mastery of influence, communication, and self-discipline.

True leaders don’t wait for opportunities—they create them through strategic thinking, relentless self-improvement, and the ability to move people toward a shared vision.

So, the real question is: What daily routines in and out of the boardroom are shaping the leader you are becoming?

Success is built one decision at a time. Choose wisely, lead boldly, and never stop refining the way you show up in the world as it is THAT that will establish your legacy as a leader.

Regular, actionable feedback helps team members understand their strengths and areas for growth. This creates a culture of continuous improvement.

At Life Puzzle, we believe that feedback is not only a gift, it is the Breakfast of Champions.

When teams feel confident in their abilities and aligned with a shared vision, they’re empowered to achieve exceptional results.

FAQs:

Many will look at the choices and outcomes of CEOs like Iger and Musk and make one of two values judgements; Devine timing or a team of skilled professional helped achieve their success. The truth is that good timing and preparation go hand in hand, the same can be said of the team effort is required for success to occur. What many CEOs do well is develop a clear decision-making framework based on strategic vision, data analysis, and trusted advisory networks. There is little reward without risk however when you are patient, prepared and supported you are well placed to for calculated risk-taking.

Top CEOs maintain agility and resilience by balancing short-term adaptability with long-term vision. Life Puzzle offers tailored and multi-tiered Leadership programs that empower organisations to build a high-performance culture, develop future leaders, and enhance employee engagement. Through strategic leadership frameworks, communication mastery, and accountability-driven growth, this program transforms workplaces into environments where top talent thrives, motivation soars, and leadership excellence becomes the standard.

Mastering executive presence, clarity, and active listening is key. My best-selling book, Confident Closing isn’t just about Sales Success, it also covers the communication tools that will help you build your influence and master the essential skill of Sales; after all, every conversation is an opportunity to sell our ideas.

Those that have achieved this level of mastery will tell you that the best time to plant a tree is both 30 years ago AND right now. Through intentional and consistent practice confidence and executive presence can be built over time. These skills are a marathon that requires mentorship and development both personal and professional. There is a reason why the highest achieving CEOs credit their success to their daily routines both in and out of the boardroom. First ask, what is the path of least resistance to where I want to be and identify a guide that will help you get there.

I often say that the standard you walk by, is the standard you accept. A culture of accountability starts at the top. The vision you have for your business, your team and your clients will set the direction. So too, will it set a standard. Taking personal responsibility for this as the founder or CEO is the first step, the next is building a team that will help you turn that vision into a reality. Organisational success is also deeper than vanity metrics, revenue and team culture. It is creating a business that model’s excellence through impact, profit and a team built of the leaders of tomorrow that turn vision and values into reality.

Final thoughts

Leadership isn’t about a position—it’s about consistent, intentional mastery of self and influence. As you grow as a leader your responsibilities do not shrink, they in fact become far more complex. Take ownership of your routine, refine your communication, and commit to becoming the kind of leader others want to follow. Do this through establishing a clear vision for your business and learn how to communicate that vision for those who want to help you execute it.

Are you ready to step into the next level of your leadership journey?

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