The Difference Between Good vs. GREAT Leaders: A Deep Dive - with Sara Canaday

Productivity Gladiator

Leadership strategist Sara Canaday joins Brian and shares insights on the key differences that turn a good leader into a great one. Unlike vague general leadership training, this conversation is specific for a change, delving into what a good leader and a great leader would do in the same situation, to unlock their team's potential and become truly memorable leaders.

See the full details and links on the episode's page: the-difference-between-good-vs-great-leaders-a-deep-dive-with-sara-canaday

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Links to References In This Episode

Sara Canaday’s LinkedIn Profile

Subscribe to Sara’s Newsletter

Sara’s Courses on LinkedIn Learning

Book Brian mentioned, Strengths Based Leadership

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Episode Digest

We all know the basics of good leadership - meeting targets, maintaining an efficient team, delivering results. But what propels a leader from merely good to truly great? What’s gives them the elusive "X-factor" that inspires unwavering loyalty and leaves a lasting legacy. Sara and Brian dove in.

Great leaders educate rather than just inform.

"It's one thing to just pass on information, but a great leader actually brings that vision to life."

Actionable Takeaway: Use creative methods like props, analogies, visuals, and stories to make ideas tangible and relatable when communicating with your team. Don't just relay information - vividly illustrate the "why" behind decisions and initiatives.

A great leader is a talent cultivator, not just a task distributer.

"A great leader actually matches those team members with the skills that they're not only good at, but that inspire them."

Actionable Takeaway: Have one-on-one conversations to understand each person's unique interests and motivations. Then deliberately assign projects and responsibilities that leverage their strengths while providing growth opportunities in areas of passion.

Foster an environment of open dialogue and critical thinking.

"What are we missing here?" "What would make you more comfortable with this strategy?"

Actionable Takeaway: Resist providing just the answers. Ask thought-provoking questions that challenge assumptions and invite diverse perspectives. Make your team meetings a psychologically safe space for candid input.

Be a connector and developer of people.

"A great leader is so well connected themselves. They've worked hard enough on their own network that they can now share it with you."

Actionable Takeaway: Actively connect your team members with other experts, mentors, training opportunities and experiences that can accelerate their professional growth and career aspirations. Share your own networks liberally.

Display entrepreneurial spirit and vision.

"They're asking questions on a broader scale...Why do we always do it this way? What if we stopped doing this altogether?"

Actionable Takeaway: Don't just maintain the status quo. Challenge existing processes and ways of thinking, and provide potential alternatives. Inspire your team by posing bold "what if" questions that spark innovation and positive disruption.

Be situationally fluent and highly self-aware.

"Can they read the room? Can they sense that they're going a little too much in the weeds? Can they sense the conversation needs levity?"

Actionable Takeaway: Continuously work on developing emotional intelligence. During meetings and interactions, make it a habit to pause, read verbal and non-verbal cues, and adjust your style and approach as needed to optimally connect with your audience.

The path to great leadership is challenging but rewarding. It requires a steadfast commitment to inspiring and developing others rather than just completing tasks and hitting numbers. By embodying these qualities, you become a leader who doesn't just meet expectations, but one who leaves a lasting impact on your teams and your organization.

The choice is yours - strive for good or strive for great? Embrace these strategies to unlock your ultimate leadership potential.

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Today’s Guest

Sara Canaday
Leadership Strategist, Speaker,
and Award-Winning Author

Sara Canaday is a leadership consultant, speaker and author who helps companies maximize the contributions of their leaders and high potentials for bottom-line impact. Drawing on 13 years of corporate experience, Sara has a unique gift for connecting with her clients and ensuring they walk away with actionable strategies for positive change -- strengthening leadership skills, improving business relationships, and enhancing performance.

Sara is a member of the National Speakers Association and a by-invitation only leadership instructor for LinkedIn Learning. She has been featured in a number of publications, most notably Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal.

Sara is the author of three books, You – According to Them: Uncovering the blind spots that impact your reputation and your career, the award-winning book, Leadership Unchained: Defy Conventional Wisdom for Breakthrough Performance, and her latest book, Essential Coaching Skills for Managers: The Tools You Need to Ignite Greatness in Each Employee.

Website: saracanaday.com

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/saracanaday

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About The Creator/Host: I’m Brian. At age 4, I was diagnosed with insulin dependent (type 1) diabetes and told that my life was going to be 10-20 years shorter than everyone else. As a kid I took time for granted, but now as an adult, time is the most precious thing that I have. After spending a career hands-on in the trenches as a senior project manager, I now help others to level-up through my Productivity Gladiator training. These Gladiators wield email management superpowers, a laser-guided ability to focus, samurai-grade prioritization skills, a sniper-precise task tracking approach, Jedi time management skills, and a secret sauce for maximizing their personal life balance. If what you’ve seen here intrigues you, reach out, let’s chat! Time is the currency of your life, spend it wisely.