PRODUCER’S NOTE:  Today John offers some powerful career advice around the concept of courage and heartfelt leadership. “Some of the best leaders I have met effectively combine these two elements to make a powerful leadership style.”

#leadership #courage #heartfelt #careeradvice 

“I cannot give you a formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure, which is: try to please everybody.” 

The wisdom of Herbert Bayard Swope,  a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, editor of The New York World, and literary icon who was a member of Algonquin Round Table. 

Mr. Swope’s advice should be enshrined in the hallways of graduate business schools around the world.

Being willing to make decisions that might anger important stakeholders takes courage. Peter Drucker once remarked that “whenever you see a successful business, someone made a courageous decision.” 

Leaders with courage and heartfelt commitment to their employees are extraordinary and, sadly, in the minority because together, those elements are powerful tools to accomplish great things.

My career advice — If you aspire to lead, have the courage to make unpopular, hard decisions while always demonstrating to your employees that you care deeply for their success.