Matt Norquist

Any substantial anniversary inspires moments of reflection. For me, as we kick-off the 20th anniversary of Linkage’s Global Institute for Leadership Development^® (what we call GILD), I pause to think about the tens of thousands of leaders who’ve been impacted by Linkage and this global immersion learning experience. As we take it all in and absorb as much as we can from those around us, we also have a unique opportunity to reflect on our own paths as leaders and to build greater self-awareness. This process begins when we commit to being truly aware of the impact of our reactions and the influence we have on others.

Being fit to lead in a remarkable way won’t happen overnight. But like an athlete’s precise training and progression plan and agile management skills—there are things that current and aspiring leaders can implement to improve themselves and earn the right to be leaders.

What role can business leaders can play in creating inclusive, safe, and high-performing businesses? In this one-on-one interview, author, advisor and consultant Dalia Mogahed addresses some culturally held beliefs about Muslims and the impact that our thinking has on how we lead organizations today.

If we say something is a priority but don’t do it, it’s not a priority. It’s just a broken promise. Leaders who really commit, and empower their team to work through these common challenges make progress each and every day.

We will each ultimately realize greater success and satisfaction by focusing on the things that we naturally excel at. Learning to use our strengths is partially discovery, partially creation, and partially making the most of what we have.

Well, love is not all that you need in leadership, but it’s one of the first things you need if you want to be a strong leader. It is easier to make and keep commitments if we are doing something that we want to do.

We try really hard most of the time. And working hard is table stakes for most. But doing whatever it takes is simply not enough. We need focused attention on improving what matters the most. This practical real-life metaphor has worked for me, and for our team—when it comes to producing results.

More oftentimes than not, it’s the everyday experiences that inspire (and re-inspire) me to think about my responsibility as a leader. The other day, I attended a good friend’s wedding. Watching Dave and Ally proclaim their vows to one another really got me thinking about commitment.