If I could go back to 1998; Skills for Modern Leaders

If I could go back to 1998 and talk to myself about the counter intuitive skills leaders would need in the future, here's the 3 things I would focus on.

First, we would need to talk about that haircut. Not great....😅 I admit it. Kidding... Not touching that...I will let my younger self figure that on his own.

I wouldn’t spend time on strategy, execution or business rational. I know I will learn this along the way.

I would tell myself to learn the human side of leadership sooner, especially these three skills:

🔵 Let people see the human side of who you are, not just the title.

Most people working for you will never ask for a full tour of your personal life. They simply want enough small details to get a feel of who you are.

Share a funny moment with your kids. Mention a show you binge watch to forget about work. Talk about a hobby you wish you had more time for. And be the one who starts these conversations.

These moments matter. When leaders talk only about work, people assume this is all they care about, even if it isn’t true.

Research shows that when people see the human behind the title, trust and connection accelerate.

🟠 Balance problem solving with empathy

Sometimes it will take a lot of courage for your people to share something difficult with you. And the moment it happens, you will feel a strong urge to fix it by jumping straight into solutions.

Have you tried this? What about that? You should do this instead, don't you think?

Your intentions will be good, but keep in mind giving unsolicited advice can land as criticism. It can make the other person feel inadequate rather than supported.

Try leading with empathy first. It might sound like this:

I can see why this feels frustrating. Thank you for bringing it to me. This really matters for the team. Would you like to brainstorm together on potential options?

That moment of validation helps people feel normal instead of wrong. It gives them the energy to keep going and try again.

🔵 Show vulnerability, not just polished stories

This will be the hardest one.

Know that showing vulnerability is not a weakness.

When well delivered, It can help you build trust faster than a perfect script.

When everything you present is perfect, people may start to wonder if you actually see what is happening at their level. It can create distance.

Vulnerability in leadership looks like this; Admitting when you changed your mind. Naming the trade offs you wrestled with. Owning a mistake. Asking for help.

It will certainly feel uncomfortable at times, but the more you practice these skills, the more natural they'll become.

Charles Fortier, CO-Founder