Leadership is intangible, and therefore no weapon ever designed can replace it. – Omar N. Bradley

Leading is stewardship. It is how we handle what we have been entrusted. Leading creatives adds an additional complexity to the equations. Artists or creative people are great because they are able to connect on a different level to the work they do. I have been blessed with the gift of working for and with some amazing creative leaders and I think these may be the 21 things I am most thankful I have learned from them and that I am working on trying to incorporate into my life:

1. Set the tone and set it with passion and audacity.

2. Avoid drama and create peace.

3. Think positive, but realistic.

4. Lead by serving.

5. Act as much as they talk.

6. Ensure that their words and actions align; own and correct it when they don’t.

7. Plan.

8. Know they don’t have or need to have all the answers all the time.

9. Ask questions more than make statements.

10. Trust their team to do their jobs.

11. Set and articulate expectations.

12. Insist on results.

13. Delegate. Then, delegate more.

14. Give others credit.

15. Listen. Listen. Listen. Then respond.

16. Have compassion, but don’t be fooled.

17. Respond instead of react.

18. Hire talented, young, future leaders and trust them even when they fail…and never stop investing in them.

19. Know their idea is not always the best idea.

20. Never stop learning.

21. Are brave enough to fail!

What traits do you look for in a leader? Are you attempting to model any traits in your life?