7 Habits to Become a More Effective Leader

7 Habits to Become a More Effective Leader

“The gap between good leaders and great ones isn’t talent — it’s discipline.”

Leadership isn’t a title — it’s a commitment.
It’s the daily practice of learning, adapting, and improving.

In my work with CEOs and leadership teams, I’ve found that the most effective leaders share a common trait: they never stop growing.

Here are seven practical disciplines that will elevate your leadership, strengthen your team, and drive lasting organisational success.

1.Clarify Vision and Priorities

A clear and compelling vision is the cornerstone of leadership.

It builds credibility, ensures consistency, and gives your team purpose.

Steve Jobs exemplified this at Apple — his relentless focus on innovation and simplicity shaped every product decision. The result? The iPhone, the iPad, and a company that redefined entire industries.

Action:

• Communicate your vision clearly and often.
• Revisit it quarterly to ensure alignment with changing conditions.
• Use strategic priorities as a decision-making filter.

Clarity creates focus. Focus creates momentum.

2.Optimize Your Time Management

Time is a leader’s most precious resource — and yet, it’s often squandered.

Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta, famously structured her day with precision — prioritising strategic work, delegating operational tasks, and protecting time for deep thinking

Action:

• Conduct a time audit to understand where your hours go.
• Delegate anything that doesn’t align with your highest-value work.
• Implement weekly reviews to plan, prioritise, and reflect.

Protect your time as fiercely as your profits.

3.Foster a Feedback Culture

The best leaders listen as much as they lead.

At Google, feedback isn’t optional — it’s built into the DNA of the organisation through surveys, one-on-ones, and their annual “Googlegeist.” That constant loop drives innovation and engagement.

Action:

• Create formal and informal channels for feedback.
• Encourage 360-degree reviews.
• Act on what you hear — people need to see that feedback drives change.

Feedback is the fuel of growth.

4.Develop Succession Plans

A leader’s legacy isn’t what they build — it’s who they leave behind to carry it forward.

GE, under Jack Welch, was famous for its rigorous succession planning. Future CEOs were groomed years in advance, ensuring seamless transitions and enduring success.

 Action:

• Identify high-potential team members early.
• Build individual development plans for each.
• Review progress regularly to adjust and strengthen.

Succession planning isn’t about replacement — it’s about resilience.

5.Evaluate and Align Talent

Every organisation is a reflection of its people.

Zappos built its success by hiring not just for skill, but for cultural alignment. That focus on “fit” created high engagement, low turnover, and an unmatched customer experience.

 Action:

• Regularly review whether each role matches the person’s strengths.
• Use Job Scorecards and Topgrading principles to hire and evaluate effectively.
• Address misalignment quickly and constructively.

The right people, in the right roles, doing the right work — that’s execution.

6.Strengthen Crisis Management Skills

Crisis reveals character.

The COVID-19 pandemic, cyber breaches, and economic volatility have shown that agility and calm leadership aren’t optional.

Johnson & Johnson’s decisive, transparent response to the 1982 Tylenol crisis remains a benchmark in corporate integrity.

 Action:

• Develop a crisis response plan with clear roles and communication protocols.
• Conduct scenario training to prepare for real-world stress.
• Strengthen personal resilience through balance, fitness, and mindfulness.

You can’t control the storm — but you can control how you lead through it.

7.Commit to Continuous Personal Development

The best leaders are lifelong learners.

They read, listen, reflect, and seek feedback.

Action:

• Set annual development goals for both leadership and personal growth.
• Read widely — across industries and disciplines.
• Reflect weekly on progress and lessons learned.

Leadership is a journey, not a destination.

Final Thought — Lead by Example, Improve by Design

These seven practices aren’t just habits — they’re disciplines that build character, confidence, and consistency.

Start small. Pick one practice this quarter, master it, then move to the next.

Because leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about progression.

Want to elevate your leadership and scale your organisation with discipline and focus?

Take our Scaling Up / Four Decisions Needs Assessment to benchmark your leadership effectiveness.
Or contact tedb@strategyandexecution.com.au for a free 30-minute discovery meeting.

TED BONEL, SCALING UP PRACTITIONER – STRATEGY & EXECUTION BUSINESS ADVISORS

Are you looking to scale your business and execute strategy with clarity and impact? I help CEOs and founders turn big ideas into real-world results, guiding small to mid-market companies through tailored strategic insights that drive growth.

My expertise lies in simplifying complexity – bridging high-level strategic frameworks with the practical realities of running a business. Unlike many consultants who focus solely on theory or execution, I specialise in both—translating strategy into actionable, transformative steps that deliver lasting results.

Want to elevate your leadership and scale your organisation with discipline and focus?

Contact me at tedb@strategyandexecution.com.au to schedule a free 30-minute discovery meeting.

ABOUT STRATEGY & EXECUTION

For over 20 years, Strategy & Execution has supported leaders and organisations in developing and executing winning strategies. We provide expert facilitation, executive education, and hands-on consulting to help businesses refine their strategic direction and implement it effectively.

Using proven methodologies like Scaling Up, E-Myth Mastery, Outthinker, and more, we challenge conventional thinking and equip organisations with the tools to accelerate growth. Our approach is dynamic—combining deep business experience with practical execution. We don’t just advise; we roll up our sleeves and work alongside you to make strategy happen.

If you’re preparing for a strategy development or execution challenge and are committed to creating real value, we’d love to hear from you. Learn more about our work or upcoming workshops