Four Keys to Developing Your Signature Leadership

A few years ago on a flight home to Seattle, I had a flight attendant ask me: “Did you make a difference today?”. She knew I worked with companies and organizations, helping them grow their leadership influence at every level. That simple penetrating question got me really thinking.

Let me ask you a question that’s a little different: “What is the difference between a difference and your difference?”
Answer: Your signature leadership difference

Everyday, everyone makes a difference (good, bad, indifferent, significant, impactful, meaningful, or purpose-driven). You can make a unique difference.

Key #1: Be true to your unique style

  • Authenticity= sincere influence and impact
  • Be true to yourself. Be self-confident.
Don’t think about your signature difference as the difference you want to make– but as an extension of what makes you unique and different.
Ask yourself: “When people describe you, what are the words they most often use?”

Key #2: Be true to your signature strengths

  • Knowing your strength zones will give you insights of how you can best make the most of your signature difference as a leader.
Right now, what do you see as your “best self”? What do others recognize as your gifts and strengths?

Ask yourself: “What are my top 3 leadership strengths?”

Key #3: Be true to your passions

  • Be true to your passions and live them fully each day.
It could be writing, creating, envisioning, building, simplifying, energizing, driving change, leading, or supporting.

Ask yourself: “What are my two leadership passions, skills, or competencies that I thrive in?”

Key #4: Be true to your legacy

  • Your legacy is simply what you want to be remembered for.
Ask yourself: “What did I do to build my legacy today?”

“Did I make sure everyone I crossed paths with will remember me the way I want to be remembered?”

Three final challenges for you:

  1. Live with intent.
  2. Let the difference you make be your signature leadership masterpiece.
  3. Give people something to remember.

Here’s to you making your signature leadership!

–Steve

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About the Author

Steve Gutzler is the President of Leadership Quest, a Seattle-based leadership development company. Steve is a dynamic, highly-sought-after speaker who has delivered more than 2,500 presentations to a list of clients including Microsoft, Starbucks, the Seattle Seahawks, Pandora Radio, Boeing, Cisco, Starwood Corporation, the Ritz Carlton group, and the U.S. Social Security Administration. He recently was voted #1 by the readership of Huffington Post as the Most Inspirational Leader on Social Media.

A published author on leadership and emotional intelligence, Steve resides near Seattle with his wife Julie where they enjoy time with their three adult children and six grandchildren.