The Modern Leader
The best leaders are pretty boring (in a good way).
Leadership is often painted as flashy. Big announcements. Inspiring speeches. Heroic moments of saving the day. But truly impactful leadership is quieter---and honestly, a lot more boring.
There have been many times in my career when I feel trapped in my role. When I feel like I'm not really making any progress because my team isn't working on the flashiest projects that are getting the most attention from our customers and upper leadership. It can feel particularly challenging when you don't feel like you're actually working on anything noteworthy.
But there's also a chance your team is perfectly happy with what they're working on, and this "boring" time is actually allowing you to shine as a great leader. Over time, I've realized the most effective leaders were those who consistently showed up and practiced steady, reliable habits day after day.
The best leaders I've worked with mastered the unexciting, consistent, repeatable habits that actually make teams run smoothly:
- They never skip 1:1 meetings, even when there's nothing urgent to discuss.
- They document conversations and decisions clearly and consistently.
- They provide steady, predictable feedback instead of waiting for dramatic annual reviews.
- They follow through on small promises, every single time.
- They protect their team's time ruthlessly, even when it makes them unpopular.
None of these practices are particularly exciting. In fact, they're about as glamorous as flossing your teeth. But just like flossing, their power comes from repetition, predictability, and quiet discipline. (My dentist would be so proud of this)
These boring habits build trust and stability, empowering teams to take risks, experiment, and pursue real innovation. You can't create meaningful excitement without first mastering meaningful boredom.
When you're feeling out of sorts, here's a quick gut check checklist to see how you're doing:
- You show up consistently for your team, even when you don't "feel like it."
- You regularly document and follow through on your commitments.
- Your direct reports always know where they stand, even without explicit "feedback sessions."
Leadership isn't always exciting. Often, it's quietly doing the right things, over and over, until your team trusts you implicitly.