It’s National Leadership Day and we want to highlight three key characteristics we think all good leaders possess.
Good Leaders... Stand Out
Good Leaders... Create Change
Good Leaders... Elevate Others
1) Stand Out
In a room full of people who avoid work, be someone who accomplishes work.
It’s 2026 and for some reason apathy is rampant and effort seems to be in short supply. Nowadays, everyone wants to take the easy way out and find the path of least resistance. Which, for some of us, should be great news. Now more than ever there is an opportunity to distinguish ourselves from the rest and really step up. Good leaders do just that, they stand out in a crowd.
Now, standing out isn’t just about being recognized. We all know how easy it is to stand out for the wrong reasons. We’ve had those coworkers whose names get mentioned the most at the water cooler for their attitudes, mannerisms, and outlandish quotes. You want to make sure you aren't known for your complications, but for your contributions. If you’re going to make a name for yourself at the office, let it be because you are fully committed to your role and purpose. Standing out is about being exemplary in as many ways as possible. A good leader will fill a gap, take on responsibilities with confidence, and take pride in the work they perform. You should be recognized for being your best self.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not difficult to stand out for the right reasons. Have you ever been on a flight where the flight crew were lighthearted, enjoyable, and just overall had a great attitude? Have you ever ordered food from a drive through or at a restaurant and had excellent service? If so, that experience probably left a lasting impression on you. Leadership doesn’t require a job title; it requires a winning attitude and a desire to make an intentional impact. Anyone, anywhere, at any time can become a leader in their company, career, or industry.
This is why it is important to not only stand out for the right reasons, but also with the right intentions. Picture that third grader rushing to finish his math test, likely making avoidable mistakes, all so he can proudly walk forward to hand in his paper before everyone else. That mindset of standing out for the sake of standing out is not the goal here. True leadership comes, not from a place of vanity or personal gain, but from a desire to make a meaningful and positive impact.
2) Create Change
When good leaders lead, others can’t help but follow.
When leaders step up and stand out, something incredible happens. They start to change the environment around them and naturally people will start to follow their lead. You take a little more interest in the work you’re doing, others will too. You start to become more involved, others will too. Your efforts and attitudes are going to be matched by those around you.
It’s incredible to see how leaders affect the momentum of a company. They pioneer new ideas, they rally the team, they keep things moving and in the right direction. The key here being the right direction. A good leader pursues what is best, not just what they came up with or what they want to happen. They encourage engagement, collaboration, and the pursuit of better outcomes and ideas, regardless of who initiated them. The goal is not to get things where you want them to be, but instead to where they need to be. Strong leaders are self-aware. A great gut check is to assess and determine how unified the teams are that you’re working with and how regularly you are fostering innovation and beneficial interactions.
It’s also why good leaders make the best followers, because they understand and recognize the pressures and demands of being in leadership and so they look to support those leading the way. Sometimes being a leader doesn’t mean being in charge. Sometimes being a leader is being a strong, reliable part of the team and honoring the other leaders you find yourself supporting.
3) Elevate Others
Good leaders don’t just impact a workplace culture; they improve that culture.
In addition to being a catalyst for positive change, good leaders bring out the best in others. Good leaders who stand out and create change almost inherently elevate those around them. Positive, impactful leadership wants success not just for themselves, but for everyone involved.
Imagine a star soccer player forcefully dribbling the ball down the field, running past open teammates calling for a pass, doing it all on their own in an effort to score a goal. Imagine pro-tennis doubles players, but one of them is aggressively stepping in front of the other to return every ball as it enters their side of the next. These actions might be done for the sake of the win, but individual success never outweighs a group victory. Business is a team sport. We win when we work together. Sure, it’s okay to slam dunk a project or a task, just make sure you when you do you aren’t dunking on your teammates.
The best legacy you can leave in any role or with any company is one of great leadership and a great example. The quickest way to mar your leadership impact is to make it about yourself. Much like rowing a boat, significant progress forward is best achieved when everyone works together with equal strength and effort. Row rigorously and ignore your team's rhythm and you will soon find yourself going in circles. Good leaders unite, empower, and encourage others to be their best selves. Because a win for a teammate is a win for us all.
Wrap Up
If you want to learn more about leadership principles like these and take the next step to develop these leadership skills, check out our new online course: The Performance Equation. Join us in this self-guided training where we explore the BP-Husky Toledo Refinery’s tragic incident and how it resulted in the loss of two lives due to a lack of clear leadership and guidance. We’ll take you through the integral connection between Procedures, Training, and Leadership and how all three play a vital role in the safety and efficiency of every operation.
Follow the link HERE to sign up for an account and then add the course to your cart to begin your training. You can find out more about the class HERE.
Your leadership journey starts today. Will you be the kind of leader that others want to follow by standing out, creating change, and elevating others?
Happy Leadership Day from all of us at Procedure Solutions Management!
