Newsletter Issue 2026-5
Leadership Coaching Tip
In leading, there is usually more to be gained by improving an area of weakness than by reaching for the stars in areas of strength. This is not usually the case in technical skill areas, because technical excellence is relatively easy to measure and therefore more likely to be recognized on a stand-alone basis. Technical skill can also be parsed: an electrician, for example, could be excellent at residential work but only fair at commercial work. That would not be a problem. Â People view leading as more of a package, expecting leaders to be at least OK in all the skills that they look for in a leader. A setback in one area, say communication, Â might well overshadow any number of strong skills. The goal is to be the best leader you can be while maintaining a balance between your skills and consistency over time.
Self-knowledge and self-awareness are critical first steps to improving your skill balance. This is not an area where you want to "go it alone", because it is all about how others perceive you. Three tactics to consider are: being visibly and consistently open to feedback; completing a high-quality leadership assessment that includes a robust input from folks who know you; and group or individual leadership coaching. If you don't feel ready to try all or any of these recommendations, take a look at our Development Opportunity this month for a quick boost to your self-awareness.
Development Opportunity
Make a T Chart listing tasks you like to do on one side and those you do not like to do on the other. Circle the tasks you are good at with no regard to which side they are on.
The unmarked tasks are targets for improvement. Do not be surprised if the majority of unmarked tasks are on the "don't like" side, and don't be surprised if others are aware of what you do and do not like to do because leaders are watched.
As a leader, your behavior should reflect the requirements of the situation you find yourself in, not your personal likes and dislikes.
A Message From LEO ®
LEO© stands for "Learning Enrichment Opportunity", DaVinci Leadership's 24/7 leadership coach application based on our trademarked Curated Intelligence® database consisting of millions of leadership behavior recommendations, every one vetted by recognized experts in the leadership development field. These recommendations are consistent with the advice you will find in all of our services: coaching, consulting, assessments, webinars, webcasts, white papers, and presentations.
This month we asked LEO, "How can I improve my leadership skill balance?" Here is what LEO said:
Striving for a balanced set of leadership skills is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness, feedback, and intentional development. It’s great that you’re focusing on this important area.
- Regularly assess your strengths and development areas by listing your top five strengths and five areas for improvement, then compare your perspective with feedback from colleagues, friends, and family. This helps you realistically identify where you excel and where to focus your efforts.
- Seek feedback from your direct reports by asking what you should keep doing, start doing, or stop doing to support their best work. Implement one or two changes based on their input and observe the impact over time.
- Increase your awareness of your own communication and decision-making styles, and study styles that are different from yours. Reflect on how you can adapt your approach to work more effectively with people who have different strengths.
- Apply the 70/20/10 approach to your development: pursue new assignments or projects (70%), learn from mentors or colleagues (20%), and participate in formal training or courses (10%).
- Create a development plan that includes specific goals, actionable steps, and someone to help hold you accountable. Regularly review your progress and adjust your plan as needed.
- After significant successes or failures, take time to reflect and journal about what contributed to the outcome. Use these insights to reinforce positive behaviors and identify areas for further growth.
- Strengthen skills such as conflict management, interpersonal agility, and presence by observing effective leaders, studying proven techniques, and practicing these behaviors in your daily work.
Continuous reflection, seeking diverse experiences, and staying open to feedback will help you achieve a more balanced and effective leadership style.
As you consider these strategies for developing a balanced set of leadership skills, which area feels most outside your current comfort zone, and what do you notice about your initial reaction to exploring it further?
Drops This Month
Two new recommendations in the Leadership Library
Webinar 1, Career Leadership: A Plan for Career Advancement
Podcast: Handling Conflict the DaVinci Way
Open Discussion where we answer your leadership questions, Friday, March 1 at 1200 Eastern
Video of the Month
Level Up and Even Out Your Leadership Behaviors
John Bonosoro, Principal Partner, DaVinci Leadership LLC