10 “B” Words for Successful Leaders
Begin: Start something. Leaders find ways to step forward even when the path is uncertain or unclear. Lisa asked, “What can we try,” when the best decision was unclear.
Beguile: Make up a story based on partial information. When he saw Mary whispering to the boss, Bob concluded they were talking about him.
Belief: Ideas that guide decisions, evaluate behaviors, and result in attitudes or feelings. Ann went over the presentation until she knew it backwards and forwards because she believed preparation is the path to excellence.
Belittle: Cause to feel powerless, insignificant, or unimportant. Carl belittled the team when he made decisions without their input.
Belong: A sense of acceptance for who you are. Sally made the members of her team feel like they belonged by acknowledging their strengths and weaknesses without passing judgement. People who feel they belong are courageous to take action.
Better: To improve on. Successful leaders strive to make things better. Don’t let perfection be the enemy of making things better.
Bold: Act with confidence. Be bold when investigating issues you don’t understand. When something doesn’t seem right, boldly explore. Maintain confidence when you feel uncertain by believing you can find answers.
Boundaries: Set limits. Barry enjoys lively debate but steps in when arguments become personal..
Brave: Step up when times are challenging or things go wrong. When teammates violate organizational values, Jane brings it to their attention. “We don’t act that way around here.”
Brief: Succinct and to the point. Trent found his communication was more powerful when he got to the point quickly and left time for questions.
What words that begin with “B” would you add to the alphabet for leaders?
How would you add to or modify definitions I’ve offered?
Bling: If leaders sets themselves apart with better offices, cars, clothes, jewelry, hotels, and travel arrangements, it makes it that much harder for the average team member to relate, connect, or have any faith that the leaders know what’s “really” going on.
Thanks James. Love it!! Plus your observation is on the money.
My favorite of your ideas is “belong” People who feel like they belong have the courage to take action.
I’d add BEYOND. People who feel valued in a setting will feel safe to think beyond what has been done before. They will stick their necks out because they feel that sense of belonging. People in fearful settings will simple mirror what they think the bosses want to hear.
BIG growth comes from thinking BEYOND what has been tried before.
Thanks Dauna. Wow! The B words keep coming. The combination of Big and Beyond feels bombastic. 🙂
“Be” As in “be all you can be”.
Thanks Tim. I believe.
Benefit:If you want to be successful in life, never do anything that benefits you alone. Associates and Co -workers need to feel that they will walk away with something as well from what you have to offer. Make a project/business their baby as well.
Thanks Sharon. Great word and make it their BABY is a a b-word too.
Benign…being good-natured, warm, friendly, etc always opens more doors than being aloof (another “A” word!) when in a leadership role.
Great thread, thanks for starting it Dan!!
Thanks Scott. You made me think about do no harm and don’t be threatening… good stuff.
Aloof is great…better late than never. 🙂
Behavior: Lead by example. Exemplify organizational behavior. Actions speak louder than words. Your behavior tells others who you really are.
Here’s a great quote from Stephen Covey
“Public behavior is merely private character writ large.”
Thanks Gabriel. You made me think of model the way. Much appreciated.
People hear what you say, but remember what you do. Believe
Behave — Behave yourself and others will do the same.
Thanks Patty. OH! Behave!
“BRAVE” – Sometimes a leader must step up and protect the time when the Organizational values steps beyond the normal expectations of a healthy workplace. Do you capitulate to the current organizational values or mindset when the organization has a toxic environment? It’s toxic because the positive checks and balances of the company is out of sync. This means positive leaders must take on more risk in protecting positive values on behalf of their teams.
I meant “protect the team” in my comment.
Powerful Michael. Speaking up takes real bravery…. I get a sense that bravery is connected to being selfless.
Great words. 🙂 I would add “Boom!” or “Bounce” for dramatic effect! 😉 My thoughts are here in –> Bounce Back!! 6 Ways to Thrive not merely survive. http://wp.me/p39Wdr-d8
Thanks Dancin…. Bounce Back = two b’s. You get bonus points. 🙂
Before- Think of other people BEFORE you think of yourself.
Thanks Patrick. A fundamental shift in leadership is learning to put others before yourself. Boom!
Brand – this has a couple of meanings for me. One is establishing the team with or as a brand. It can be a great point of pride and ownership as the Brand increases in recognition and organizational value.
The other meaning is Riding For The Brand. For me that kind of old west loyalty characterizes the kind of commitment that want to have for the team, my manager and the organization.
Jim
Thanks Jim. And the b’s keep on trotting in. I hadn’t thought of brand in relation to teams. But, I can see that it answers the question of how we want to be known.
I am sure you were just checking to see if we were paying attention…. 🙂 But, I would remove Beguile and Belittle….not sure they have a place in a strong leaders description.
Thanks Trixie. I wasn’t suggesting that beguile and belittle were good things. 🙂
Hi. I had the same thought as Trixie given that the title is “B words for successful leaders”. Thanks for clearing that up!
Baloney: Dont bother with it! It crushes credibility and irritates the team!
Thanks Allison. That one made me smile.
Bend. Be willing to change direction, listen and react to a changing environment.
Thanks Katie. Bend is a tough one!!
Borderless: In our connected world, there are few barriers in spreading the world. Leaders must know how to reach an ever-expanding audience.
Thanks ProffessionalWebsite. Now you’re taking the conversation to an organizational level. Good one.
Beauty…enjoy the beauty and amazement of all that surrounds you – the people, the animals, the plants, the beautiful work your company does and the beautiful community that supports it.
Thanks Richard. What a great word to add. With all the problem solving and challenges of leadership we all benefit from enjoying the beauty.
Believe: Leaders are continually believing in the people around them.
Thanks Scott. I got to thinking about the two way nature of belief. Success requires leaders to believe in others and others to believe in leaders. Great
Blessing – be a blessing to those on your team and remember to bless them – its amazing how many people never hear a blessing in their life.
Thanks Terry. I get the sense of speaking well over/of others.
Leaders break the barrier for their team.
Thanks Athicom. A double “B”… bonus points! Break Barriers
BESTOW- be generous in offering praise, compassion and understanding.
Breakfast. The most important meal of the day. A leader should be sure to get some to keep their sugar levels at an optimum level and reduce the chance of becoming a complete Boar. That’s two. 😉
“Beyond.” It’s been touched on by several others: you have to lead beyond yourself if you are serious about leading an effective organization. This means empowering others by giving them the tools, resources, access, and course-corrections they will need to win. It is difficult for some to give up control… But, as leaders, our job is to help people go beyond their current ability – we can only help them go “beyond” if we are willing to lead “beyond.”
Thanks Dale. Beautiful and challenging.
“bendable”- a new word for flexibility !
A strong-willed person, his world is full of infinite possibilities