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Leadership Lesson – September 2022: 10 Life Lessons for Leadership Success

September 1, 2022

Words of advice from leaders on the front lines.
This month’s leadership lesson is from Danyce Seney, Alliant Health Solutions’ nursing home co-lead.

10 Life Lessons for Leadership Success

An Army drill sergeant raised me, and many of the life lessons he “drilled” into me can apply to both formal and informational leadership roles in the health care environment. The 2014 University of Texas at Austin commencement address by Admiral William H. McRaven reminds me of these life lessons, with a focus on 10 strategies for leadership success:

  1. Accomplish your first task of the day.
  • By accomplishing one thing, it motivates you to do more and solidifies that every little task matters and adds up.
  1. Find someone to help you in life.
  • Life cannot be accomplished without help. Teamwork makes the difference.
  1. Respect everyone.
  • Everyone is worthy of the same respect. By providing that respect, you will receive the respect of everyone and enable you to better lead.
  1. Life is not always fair. Move forward
  • There will be events that occur that are unavoidable. Move forward and learn from them. Don’t let those events shape you.
  1. Don’t be afraid to fail often.
  • You will make mistakes. Do not be so afraid of failing that you do not try.
  1. Take risks.
  • Leaders do not stand or sit on the sidelines. Leaders attempt to move forward and try new things.
  1. Face down the adversaries.
  • Be strong. A leader needs to stand straight and be a positive representative.
  1. Step up when times are toughest.
  • True leaders step forward when others are tired, weak or unsure to provide stability and guidance.
  1. Lift up the downtrodden.
  • Provide reinforcement to those who are in need. A positive word or comment of encouragement is sometimes all that is needed to change the entire tone.
  1. Never give up
  • Leaders persevere when others become tired. Stand strong.

Even in challenging times, maybe especially in challenging times, one person can make a difference. Following these 10 leadership tenets can help you make a difference where you work.