Timeless Leadership Principles | The Better Than Rich Show Ep. 4

Timeless Leadership Principles

What does it mean to be a leader? Contrary to cliché definitions and belief, we at Better Than Rich know you don’t need to be in a leadership position to lead. Being a leader can be difficult at times, but there are some timeless core leadership principles to go by. These principles are good for becoming a leader and learning how to be a better one.

What is the Definition?

Leadership produces progress. You can be a leader in any context if you are committed to improving things. Being a leader is not the same as being a manager. Managers are in charge of managing systems while leaders manage people and energy. A leader wants to win the long game not just fix things for the moment.

Relationships

A leader’s relationships are extremely important because generally, those are the people who are being led. A good leader should be able to know what people want. It’s important to know your own end goal but also those of the people you lead. Then you can make educated decisions to ensure your relationships are always win-win.

There are several kinds of relationships. One where you win but the other person loses, another where you lose and the other person wins, and the best where you both win. A win-win relationship is equally beneficial for both parties involved.

Step One: What do I want?

To keep a win-win relationship intact there should be a solid foundation where boundaries, wants, needs, and outcomes are discussed.

Then, there is no confusion on the next steps and there is always a shared goal. The more questions and understanding the better. And if the relationship becomes less than win-win it’s much easier.

Playing The Long Game

As a leader you need to know that you won’t win them all, not everyone is going to be happy with every single decision you make… and that is fine. A good leader is always open to the possibility of transformation. A leader’s mindset is always that anything and everything is possible. A leader’s presupposition is always that they are limitless.

We at Better Than Rich know there is always another game. Give yourself whatever serves you now, because leaders can’t lead on rocky foundations.

Leaders also solve things for the long run, not for the moment. Instead of just doing, they teach so the people who they lead can learn to solve their problems. Leaders lead… to create self-sufficient individuals and that can hopefully then do the same.

Being a leader isn’t about who you are leading or if you are in a traditional leadership position. It’s about the progress you create, the energy you bring, and the relationships you make.