What Personal Leadership Habits Contribute to Leadership Success?
Ever wondered what sets top-tier leaders apart from the rest? In this article, CEOs and Founders reveal their most impactful personal leadership habits. From the first insight on committing to regular seventeen-on-ones to the final gem on practicing daily reflection, discover 17 powerful strategies that drive effectiveness. Dive in to uncover the wisdom that could transform your leadership journey.
- Commit to Regular One-on-Ones
- Practice Proactive Listening with Follow-Through
- Regulate Nervous System Before High-Stakes Situations
- Maintain a Habit of Active Listening
- Dedicate Time for Slow Thinking
- Engage in Front-Line Immersion
- Embrace the Power of the Pause
- Align Tasks with Natural Energy Peaks
- Be Hands-On and Approachable
- Genuinely Listen to Your Team
- Hold Regular One-on-One Conversations
- Prioritize Active Listening
- Listen to Team and Customers
- Understand Team Members' Views
- Listen to Perspectives and Concerns
- Adopt Active Listening Early
- Practice Daily Reflection for Effectiveness
Commit to Regular One-on-Ones
One leadership habit that has significantly contributed to my effectiveness is a commitment to regular one-on-ones with team members. These aren't just task check-ins; they're intentional conversations designed to provide support, offer feedback, and build trust. Over time, this habit has strengthened relationships, addressed challenges early, and kept everyone aligned with the bigger picture.
One-on-ones create a space for team members to share their ideas, concerns, and goals—something that's harder to achieve in group settings. I've found that actively listening and showing genuine interest not only helps resolve immediate issues but also fosters a stronger connection. These conversations often uncover roadblocks, skill gaps, or even personal concerns that might otherwise go unnoticed. By being proactive, I can help clear obstacles, provide mentorship, or offer support where it's needed most.
Feedback is also a key part of these sessions. Regular, constructive feedback helps team members stay motivated and on track. If someone is excelling, they deserve to hear it. If improvement is needed, addressing it early—and supportively—prevents small issues from becoming bigger problems. Over time, this consistency builds a culture where feedback is seen as an opportunity for growth, not criticism.
These one-on-ones also keep me connected to the business's day-to-day reality. It's easy as a leader to lose sight of what's happening on the ground, but these conversations give me a clearer picture of what's working, what's not, and where the team needs direction or resources.
Most importantly, one-on-ones show that I care. That might sound small, but it's incredibly powerful. When team members feel seen and supported, their confidence, engagement, and loyalty grow. It's a habit that doesn't just benefit individual performance—it strengthens the team and the business as a whole.
For leaders looking to improve their effectiveness, my advice is this: don't underestimate the impact of regular, focused conversations. They build trust, provide clarity, and keep everyone motivated. A small investment of time can yield remarkable results.
Practice Proactive Listening with Follow-Through
One personal leadership habit I've honed over the years is what I call "proactive listening with actionable follow-through." This goes beyond simply hearing someone out. It's about deeply understanding what's being communicated, asking clarifying questions, and then ensuring the insights or concerns raised are addressed in tangible ways. During my time leading my telecommunications company, I implemented weekly one-on-one check-ins with team members. At first, I assumed these meetings would mainly address performance metrics, but they quickly became a forum for uncovering deeper issues, like process inefficiencies or hidden frustrations in team dynamics. One such conversation led me to realize that a key project was stalled because two departments were misaligned on goals. By taking immediate steps to facilitate cross-department collaboration, we not only saved the project but boosted morale by showing the team their concerns mattered.
My years of experience working with entrepreneurs and business owners have reinforced the power of this habit. I've coached business leaders in industries ranging from hospitality to tech, and one common thread is that employees want to feel heard and see action tied to their feedback. It's not enough to listen passively; leadership is about making people feel valued by acting on what they share. With my background in telecommunications and my MBA in finance, I've learned how to translate what I hear into actionable strategies that drive measurable results. That habit has consistently strengthened trust, improved team performance, and directly contributed to both my personal and my clients' business success.
Regulate Nervous System Before High-Stakes Situations
The most transformative and little-known leadership habit I've developed is practicing nervous system regulation before high-stakes situations—something I discovered through necessity while scaling multiple tech companies and managing Complex PTSD.
By taking 5 minutes to reset my nervous system before important meetings or decisions, I maintain clearer thinking and better emotional balance, which directly impacts everything from strategic planning to team dynamics.
Our data shows this isn't just personal experience—95% of users find immediate relief from stress using quick regulation techniques, and those who practice consistently show a 54% decrease in overall stress levels within a week.
What's fascinating is how this ripples out to every aspect of leadership: when your nervous system is regulated, you make better decisions, communicate more effectively, and create a more stable environment for your team.
Maintain a Habit of Active Listening
How Active Listening Drives My Leadership Success
As the founder of a legal process outsourcing company, one personal leadership habit that I believe significantly contributes to my effectiveness is maintaining a habit of active listening.
Early in my journey, I realized that simply giving directions wasn't enough. I needed to truly understand the perspectives, concerns, and ideas of my team and clients to make informed decisions.
By actively listening-whether in meetings with my team or during client calls-I've been able to foster stronger relationships, identify potential issues early, and create a more collaborative work environment. For example, when a team member suggested a workflow change that initially seemed minor, I took the time to listen and understand their reasoning.
Implementing their idea led to improved efficiency across the board. This habit has helped me not only build trust but also make more thoughtful, impactful decisions for my business.
Dedicate Time for Slow Thinking
I have found that a dedicated "thinking time" - completely cut off from digital distractions, of course - has turned out to be my strongest leadership habit. It looks deceptively simple - just a quiet room, a notebook, and intense attention. Yet in our ever-connected world, this exercise has become surprisingly rare.
I practice what I call "slow thinking" during these intentional downtime. The sort of thinking that reveals patterns and insights that typically go unnoticed in the blur of meetings and emails. And it's immediate and practical. These sessions regularly produce three or four actionable insights that feel obvious in hindsight but were impossible to see in the daily rush. It's like wiping a foggy mirror - suddenly everything snaps into focus.
For fellow leaders, this means blocking off regular time - even just an hour twice a week - to reflect authentically on the real issues that pop up. No devices allowed, no interruptions. Getting comfortable with this habit really does change reactive management to thoughtful leadership. Give it two weeks and see what wells up.
Engage in Front-Line Immersion
You know, when people ask me about leadership habits, they probably expect me to talk about time management or strategic planning. But honestly? The habit that's been a game-changer for me is what I call 'front-line immersion.'
Every month, I spend at least one full day doing the jobs of different team members - from our customer service reps to our content writers. It's not about micromanaging; it's about really understanding the day-to-day realities of our business.
This habit has paid off in ways I never expected. For instance, last year, after spending a day handling client calls, I realized our onboarding process was way more complicated than it needed to be. We streamlined it, and boom - our client retention rate shot up. We're now seeing more of those 5-10 year partnerships that are the lifeblood of our business.
But here's the real kicker - this habit keeps me humble and connected. It's easy to get caught up in high-level strategy when you're dealing with a platform that serves over 21 million job seekers. But at the end of the day, our success comes down to the small interactions, the daily grind that makes Careers in Government tick.
So, my challenge to other leaders? Get your hands dirty. Regularly. It'll change your perspective, improve your decision-making, and honestly, it'll make you a more empathetic leader. And in today's world, that's worth its weight in gold.
Embrace the Power of the Pause
Something that has profoundly enhanced my effectiveness is embracing the power of the pause. In today's fast-paced world, pausing may seem counterintuitive-a luxury we think we cannot afford. Yet, I've discovered that pausing is a critical tool for cultivating clarity, fostering connection, and maintaining composure. By integrating pauses into my communications, interactions, and workflows, I've experienced significant benefits that elevate my personal and professional effectiveness.
In one-on-one conversations, pausing has become a cornerstone of how I build meaningful connections. It signals a deeper intention to listen for understanding rather than simply to respond. When someone speaks, I pause before replying, giving myself the opportunity to fully absorb their words.
Pausing is equally vital in written communication, particularly when dealing with sensitive or challenging topics. Emails can easily carry emotional weight, and an impulsive response can lead to confusion, misinterpretation, or even conflict.
When I receive an important or difficult email, my first step is to pause. I carefully read the message and then take a step back, whether for a few minutes or an hour. This break allows my emotions to settle and provides the clarity to craft a thoughtful, measured response. By pausing, I align my messages with my leadership values, ensuring they are constructive and professional while minimizing the risk of miscommunication.
In public speaking, pausing is one of the most powerful tools in my repertoire. While silence might feel uncomfortable at first, it is incredibly effective. Pauses during presentations allow my brain to catch up with my mouth, ensuring my delivery remains coherent and intentional.
Moreover, slowing down eliminates filler words such as "um" and "ah," which can undermine credibility. Intentional pauses also provide a natural rhythm, emphasizing key points and allowing the audience time to absorb the message. By pausing, I not only increase the clarity of my presentations but also project confidence and maintain audience engagement.
In a world that often prioritizes speed and immediacy, pausing serves as a powerful reminder: sometimes, the most impactful action is inaction. By mastering the pause, I've become a more composed, thoughtful, and effective leader.
Align Tasks with Natural Energy Peaks
Understanding that people have natural peaks and valleys in their energy throughout the day and using this awareness to my advantage is one habit that has significantly increased my effectiveness as an executive leader. After pinpointing when I am typically at my most alert and when my energy starts to dip, I've been able to develop a workflow structure based off these natural highs and lows. For example, I try to tackle important and decision-oriented issues later in the morning when I've had time to settle into my flow. Then, towards the end of the day, I focus on tasks that require more creativity than precision.
This exact structure won't work for everybody, but the core idea of aligning tasks with your natural energy flow can be highly effective for anyone. By recognizing when I am at my peak performance times and scheduling accordingly, I've been able to maximize my productivity and reduce the mental fatigue that often comes with pushing through tasks during low-energy periods. It's a flexible approach that allows me to adapt my workday based on how I'm feeling, ensuring I'm always operating at my most efficient. The key is self-awareness and using that insight to structure a day that works with, not against, your natural rhythm.
Be Hands-On and Approachable
It's important to be hands-on and approachable, especially when it comes to training and mentoring my leadership team. I regularly set aside time each week to work directly alongside my managers and technicians, offering guidance and learning from their on-the-ground experiences. This habit helps me stay connected to the day-to-day operations and build strong relationships with my team. When they see me actively engaged in their work, it fosters a culture of collaboration and mutual respect. It also allows me to identify potential problems early and offer solutions more quickly, making our company more agile. This connection to my team not only boosts morale but ensures we're always working toward the same goals with a clear understanding of expectations and objectives.
Genuinely Listen to Your Team
One habit I consciously practice is taking time each day to genuinely listen to my team. Whether it's a quick check-in or an in-depth conversation, creating space for their ideas, challenges, and perspectives has been invaluable. I've learned that when people feel heard, they're more engaged, and often their insights lead to better decisions for the company. For example, we had a situation where a machine in a high-traffic venue wasn't performing as expected. Instead of assuming the issue, I reached out to the team managing that location to get their take. Their feedback revealed a small but significant detail which was that the machine's placement wasn't ideal for foot traffic patterns. Based on their input, we made adjustments that boosted performance within a week. This habit isn't just about solving problems, it's about building trust and ensuring everyone feels their voice matters. Listening actively helps me stay connected to what's happening across the business, which leads to better leadership decisions. It's a straightforward practice, but one I believe makes all the difference.
Hold Regular One-on-One Conversations
One leadership habit that has been incredibly effective for me is holding regular one-on-one conversations with team members. These informal chats are not about performance reviews or tasks but about creating space for open dialog. It allows me to hear their thoughts, concerns, and ideas in a relaxed setting. In a fast-paced environment like ours, these conversations help everyone feel valued and heard.
For example, a team member once raised concerns about the pressure caused by how we rolled out platform updates. Regular one-on-ones help me stay connected to the team's experience, foster collaboration, and make more informed decisions. It's a simple practice, but the impact on team morale and operations has been significant.
Prioritize Active Listening
One personal leadership habit that significantly contributes to my effectiveness is prioritizing active listening. As the founder of Software House, I understand that leadership is not just about making decisions, but about truly understanding the perspectives of my team and clients. By listening intently to others, I'm able to gain valuable insights, foster stronger relationships, and make more informed decisions that align with the needs of the business. This habit helps build trust and demonstrates that I value the contributions of everyone around me.
Active listening has allowed me to cultivate a more open and communicative culture within the company. When people feel heard, they are more likely to engage, share their ideas, and collaborate effectively. It has also helped me resolve conflicts quickly and navigate challenges with a sense of clarity. This habit has been a cornerstone of my leadership style, driving not only my personal effectiveness but also the success and growth of Software House.
Listen to Team and Customers
By listening to both my team and customers and understanding their concerns, I can make more informed decisions that improve both our operations and customer satisfaction. When I sit down with my technicians after a service call, I ask about any challenges they faced on the job and how we can improve our processes. This also extends to customer feedback; I take time to review their comments and concerns directly, ensuring we address any issues. Listening carefully builds trust, shows respect, and helps create solutions that improve our services, strengthen relationships with clients, and enhance our team dynamics. In a business like pest control, where situations can be sensitive and urgent, being an approachable, attentive leader makes a huge difference in the quality of our service.
Understand Team Members' Views
I had a personal leadership habit in which I was actively listening to my team members to really understand their views, concerns, and ideas with open communication. In these discussions, I made myself available to listen and ensure that I understood their thinking by asking clarifying questions, thus creating an atmosphere where the team member valued themselves and were listened to. This not only cemented relationships but also spurred collaborations and innovation.
The impact of active listening is profound; it leads to better decision-making as I gather diverse viewpoints and insights. Additionally, it enhances employee engagement, as team members are more likely to contribute when they know their input matters. To cultivate this habit, I recommend setting aside dedicated time for one-on-one meetings and practicing mindfulness to stay present during conversations. Avoid multitasking during discussions to ensure you're fully focused on the speaker.
Listen to Perspectives and Concerns
One personal leadership habit that contributes significantly to my effectiveness is actively listening to my team, clients, and stakeholders. As a law firm owner, I know that my role is not just about making decisions but also about truly understanding the perspectives and concerns of others. Whether it's a paralegal voicing concerns about workload or a client needing reassurance about their case, listening attentively helps me make informed decisions and foster a sense of trust within the team. This has made my leadership more inclusive and ensures that we are all aligned in our goals. By taking the time to hear people out, I am able to identify potential issues early, which has a direct impact on the firm's long-term success and growth.
Adopt Active Listening Early
Hello,
My name is Riken Shah, Founder & CEO of OSP Labs.
As a leader, the best thing I can do for my team members is to listen to their perspectives and views. One habit I adopted quite early in my leadership journey is active listening. This habit has proven really beneficial not only for my team but also in fostering collaborative relationships with my clients and other stakeholders. The most critical aspect of active listening is understanding every perspective shared by my team members, clients, and stakeholders.
Active listening has increased trust and encouraged transparency in communication, helping leaders discover innovative ideas and understand pain points. Often, employees feel neglected because their leaders are too busy to hear them out. One instance I remember was when my team was working on a product that involved different teams' collaborative efforts and minds. This habit of active listening was actually helpful in fostering cross-functional team collaboration.
In the course of my leadership, one thing I learned is that people want to be heard and valued. And doing so makes a big difference in a team's performance. It's through this habit that I can encourage collaboration and drive meaningful decision-making.
Best regards,
Riken Shah
https://www.osplabs.com
Practice Daily Reflection for Effectiveness
Practicing Daily Reflection: A Key Leadership Habit for Effectiveness
One personal leadership habit that significantly enhances effectiveness is practicing daily reflection. Setting aside a few minutes each day to evaluate decisions, interactions, and outcomes fosters self-awareness and continuous improvement.
1. Enhanced Decision-Making
Reflection provides an opportunity to assess what worked and what didn't in leadership decisions. This helps identify patterns and refine strategies for future challenges.
2. Improved Emotional Intelligence
By reviewing interactions, leaders can better understand their impact on others, helping to build stronger relationships and navigate conflicts more effectively.
3. Alignment with Goals
Daily reflection ensures that actions align with organizational goals and values, maintaining focus and purpose in a fast-paced environment.
4. Actionable Insights
This habit transforms experiences into actionable insights, promoting adaptive leadership and fostering a growth mindset.
Reflection is a simple yet transformative practice that empowers leaders to lead with clarity, empathy, and resilience.
