As a leader, you understand how important it is to strive for excellence in both life and work. However, it’s also essential to strike an appropriate balance in your personal life.

Thankfully, the science of happiness and neuroscience offers some invaluable secrets that you can use to become a happier and more successful leader.

1. They’re not afraid to go against the grain

They understand that contented employees tend to be healthier, happier and more productive than their unhappy counterparts. Furthermore, happier personnel provide better support to their bosses in pursuit of organizational success.

They understand that there is a time and place to put aside individual quirks in order for the team’s success.

Leaders in this regard aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo or take on a new initiative that could benefit his team. While it can be intimidating to consider making such changes, they are usually the best path towards organizational growth and productivity. A well-sized project or initiative may just be what ignites everyone else into action – it might even make all the difference between winning and losing! While it may require some trial-and-error initially, the rewards will be worth it in the end.

2. They’re not afraid to fail

As much as you might not want to admit it, failure is an essential part of learning and development. It forces leaders to acknowledge their shortcomings and evaluate what is in need of improvement.

The best leaders don’t fear failure – they embrace it and learn from their mistakes. They also work hard to instil this attitude in their team.

Leaders who are unwilling to fail stymie risk-taking, experimentation and innovation. Consequently, an epidemic of unrealized potential suffocates entire teams.

3. They’re not afraid to make mistakes

Fear of failure can paralyze leaders, leading them to try to hide or make their mistakes invisible.

Leaders who acknowledge and learn from their errors can drive productivity within their teams. Furthermore, they help their workers become more self-motivated to avoid repeating the same errors in the future.

Leaders should acknowledge their mistake and offer an apology. Furthermore, they should ask their team what steps can be taken to avoid a repeat of the same error from occurring.

4. They’re not afraid to be vulnerable

Vulnerability isn’t just about sharing your emotions; it also requires being willing to acknowledge when you have made mistakes and failed. Being open about your struggles demonstrates to those around you that you are a real person with human traits, not just an image.

This authenticity creates a safe space for them to express their concerns and questions, as well as making them feel valued and supported at work.

In addition, vulnerability helps you gain a deeper insight into your team members’ needs and desires. It encourages them to find personal fulfillment in their work, leading to more loyal, productive, and thriving teams. It’s an incredibly powerful leadership skill! To learn more about its application in your next leadership role, book a complimentary Mind Strength Coaching Discovery call now. With just the right dose of vulnerability, vulnerability can make all the difference – become the most successful leader possible!

5. They’re not afraid to ask for help

Leaders understand that being competent isn’t enough; they require people to assist them with their tasks when unsure of what should be done.

They don’t let fear, pride or insecurities stop them from asking for assistance when needed. Instead, they strive to build relationships with those who can provide assistance when needed.

If you need assistance, whether from your direct reports or an executive coach, don’t be shy – ask for it!

You can request help both privately and publicly. Select one or two people you believe best suit your needs, then outline what assistance you require. Be specific with your request and its implications on organizational goals. Once you’ve secured the assistance needed, thank them publicly for their support and assistance.

6. They’re not afraid to ask for advice

Asking for advice is a critical skill set of any successful leader, yet many people avoid asking for assistance due to feelings of weakness or inadequacy. Asking for assistance doesn’t need to be something we try to hide; many times, people simply don’t feel qualified to provide it.

Finding someone to provide you with information is usually not that difficult. Plus, it’s an excellent opportunity to learn something new.

Leaders who seek advice tend to have stronger connections with their teams, which can promote loyalty and collaboration. It also makes them more successful in their roles since they can draw upon the expertise of others to better reach their objectives.

7. They’re not afraid to be vulnerable

One of the greatest attributes of successful leaders is that they don’t fear to be vulnerable. They understand the value of vulnerability in building trust and relationships.

Additionally, building relationships with team members is key for developing open and honest communication with their manager when necessary.

Leaders who are willing to share their vulnerabilities with their teams demonstrate that they care about them, which in turn increases employee engagement and trust. This can have positive effects on performance as employees feel compelled to put extra effort into pleasing their leaders.

8. They’re not afraid to be honest

Honesty is an essential leadership trait. Being honest allows leaders to build trust and confidence with their teams, which is essential for creating successful teams.

Unfortunately, many managers find it challenging to be completely open with their employees. To avoid hurting people’s feelings, many opt to conceal issues or tell small lies in order to appear honest.

Instead, leaders should be willing to ask their team members directly for feedback about their performance. Doing so will enable them to receive an objective assessment of their work and make it simpler for them to improve in the future.

Honesty in leadership requires courage, but the rewards can be immense. Successful leaders are self-aware and understand what drives their teams and themselves; this allows them to form stronger connections and motivate each other towards excellence.

9. They’re not afraid to be vulnerable

Prior to recently, it was widely held that leaders should always keep their emotions and behavior hidden from others. Doing so allows them to appear strong and assured in front of their team members.

Thankfully, this view has been dismantled over time and now acknowledges the value of vulnerability not only for leaders but also their teams.

Leaders who aren’t afraid to show vulnerability will be able to establish deeper connections with their teams and foster stronger bonds. This encourages a more honest and open work atmosphere.

10. They’re not afraid to be honest

Honest leaders are willing to be open about their mistakes, both with themselves and those they lead, in order for everyone else to benefit from them. They recognize that by sharing these lessons learned, they will become even better leaders in the future.

Honesty is not only an authentic indicator of leadership, but it’s also essential in cultivating engaged employee relations. Honesty engenders trust between managers and employees, enabling them to open up freely with them which in turn leads to higher levels of satisfaction and performance.

Unfortunately, some leaders take things too far when it comes to being honest with their teams. This can have long-term detrimental effects on the leader-employee relationship and lead to hurt feelings, distrust, or even vindictive responses.