8 things no one tells you strong leaders do

Hey Full Potential Zoners,

Your title doesn’t build trust— your habits do.

You don’t need more leadership theory.

You need a clear system for what great leaders actually do.

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Most people want better results.

But they skip the habits that create them.

Every leader is made by small choices no one sees.

And it leaves people better than it found them.

Today we are going to help leaders master this by using:

‘The Leader Skill Set - Build All 8 to Lead Well'. 

Let’s dive in!

4 Real Scenarios to Use the Leader Skill Set at Work

1) The “We’re Behind” Meeting — Turn Stress Into Progress

Scenario: A big project is off track. Tensions are high. People are frustrated. You need to reset the room fast.

• Say the feeling out loud. (EQ)

  • “I’m feeling tense — let’s each share one word.”

    • Lowers pressure, builds safety.

  • This helps people feel seen instead of blamed.

• Find the real blocker. (IQ)

  • “What’s the actual issue in one sentence?”

    • Avoids blame, clears focus.

  • Everyone starts solving the same problem, not different ones.

• Plan one next step. (XQ)

  • “What’s one thing we can do in the next 24 hours?”

    • Keeps things moving.

  • A clear move brings back momentum fast.

2) New Leader, Inherited Team — Build Trust Fast

Scenario: You just stepped into a leadership role, but your team doesn’t know you yet. Trust is low, and people are watching.

• Share a “how to work with me” doc. (CQ)

  • Shows what matters to you.

  • It sets the tone without needing a speech.

• Do short 1-on-1s with 4 questions. (EQ, RQ)

  • “What’s working? What’s hard? What should never change? What do you wish I knew?”

  • Builds connection without overstepping.

  • People open up when they feel heard, not managed.

• Fix one annoying thing fast. (CQ)

  • Trust grows when you act quickly.

  • Even a small win shows you’re here to help, not just talk.

3) Big Customer Issue — Handle It and Regain Confidence

Scenario: A key client hits a problem and tensions rise. They want answers — and fast.

• Use LEAF: Listen, Empathize, Apologize, Fix. (EQ, RQ)

  • Builds calm and trust.

  • It shows you’re human and ready to make it right.

• Split roles: one fixes, one updates. (XQ)

  • Keeps things clear and fast.

  • No mixed messages — just steady updates and progress.

• Offer a fair make-right. (CQ)

  • Shows you care, not just repair.

  • Small gestures go a long way when emotions run high.

4) Rolling Out a New Direction — Make the Vision Stick

Scenario: The strategy has changed and the team feels unsure. You need them moving in the same direction, fast.

• Tell the story in 90 seconds. (VQ)

  • Truth → Stakes → Big Move → What It Means Today.

  • Connects the big picture to daily work.

  • People follow clarity, not hype.

• Repeat it 3x in 3 ways. (SQ)

  • All-hands, email, team meeting.

  • Clarity through repetition.

  • If it sounds familiar, it’s finally sinking in.

• Turn it into action. (XQ, AQ)

  • “If it doesn’t match our goal, park it.”

  • Keeps everyone aligned.

  • The clearer the rule, the easier the focus.

Sometimes the hardest part of starting is not the work — it’s knowing exactly what to offer and how to sell it.

This infographic shows the steps, but here are 3 quick real-life examples so you can see how it works in action.

1) Inbox Zero Sprint for Busy Founders

Scenario: A lot of business owners are drowning in email.

• Find 10 posts or comments from people complaining about it.

• Write:

  • “I clear your inbox to zero in 60 minutes. Reply ‘go’ for a slot.”

• Offer 3 simple price levels:

  • Clean → Clean + Rules → Clean + Rules + 2-Week Check-In.

• Deliver two jobs today, ask each client what they loved most, and turn that into your proof line.

2) Resume Power Hour for Job Seekers

• Ask a few job seekers:

  • “What’s the one thing your resume needs to do for you right now?”

• Make your offer match the goal:

  • “45-Minute rewrite to land more interviews. 48-Hour turnaround.”

• Set your price based on the result, not the time.

• Test two different prices this week and keep the one that sells best.

• Once you’ve done a few, package your format and checklist into a ready-to-sell template.

Dive deeper and download the free PDF: click here

Here's how you can make it real today:

Step 1: Pick your skill

• Think back to a moment this week when you felt stuck — maybe a meeting lost focus, a project stalled, or someone shut down.

• Now choose one skill from the Leader Skill Set that could’ve helped:

  • Clarity, EQ, Vision, Speed, Curiosity, Accountability, Connection, or Strategy.

• That’s your focus for today.

Step 2: Set your action cue

• Pick one moment in your day — after standup, during lunch, or before a 1:1 — where you’ll try something different.

• Add a calendar reminder or write this on a sticky note:

  • “Use my leadership skill today.”

Step 3: Take one visible action

• Do one small thing tied to your skill. Examples:

  • Clarity: Say the goal in one sentence

  • EQ: Ask how someone’s feeling before you dive into tasks

  • Vision: Remind the team what bigger goal this work supports

  • Speed: Make a call instead of waiting on another thread

  • Curiosity: Ask “What do you think we’re missing?”

  • Accountability: Say who owns the next move and by when

  • Connection: Thank someone specifically in front of others

  • Strategy: Pause and ask “What problem are we really solving?”

Step 4: Notice what changed

• After the move, pause and reflect:

  • Did the energy shift?

  • Did someone open up or speak more clearly?

  • Did the next step become easier?

• Small actions often create big shifts.

Step 5: End with one line

• Before your day ends, write one line:

  • “Today’s leadership move worked because: _____.”

    or

  • “Next time I need clarity/connection/momentum, I’ll: _____.”

AI Prompt: “Act as a leadership coach. Help me create a one-day action plan based on the following:

• Leadership Skill I’m Focusing On: [Insert chosen skill — e.g., Clarity, EQ, Vision, Speed, Curiosity, Accountability, Connection, Strategy]

• Moment I Plan to Act: [Insert time or event — e.g., "After my 1:1 with Sarah" or "During today’s team standup"]

• What I Want to Improve: [Insert short context — e.g., “My last update felt unclear” or “The team seemed disconnected in the last meeting”]

Provide:

• A simple action I can take during that moment using the skill I chose

• A sentence I can say out loud to show leadership

• One question I can ask the team or person to create better connection or clarity

• A short tip to help me stay calm, present, and clear while doing it

Keep the plan short and practical — something I can actually use today.”

You don’t need a team to lead — you need intention.

Every clear sentence, every honest pause, every next step counts.

The best leaders aren’t loud. They’re steady, honest, and ready.

These 8 skills aren’t traits — they’re choices.

And you already have what it takes to make them today.

Until next time and with lots of love,

Justin

This Week’s Growth Recommendations

Book To Read:  

“Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek (see it here)

TED Talk to Watch:

“Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance" by Angela Lee Duckworth (see it here)

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