What strong leaders do consistently and how you can strengthen each area.
Great leadership isn’t about a title or a personality type. It’s about actions practiced with intention and consistency.
Gallup’s research has identified seven expectations that define what strong leaders do every day. These aren’t lofty ideals; they’re practical behaviors that build trust, engagement, and results. Read on to learn the expectations and some tips to support that area.
1. Build Relationships
Leadership begins with connection.
People want to work for leaders who see them, know them, and care about them.
Strong leaders intentionally build trust by showing curiosity, empathy, and reliability.
Try this:
Make time for regular check-ins that focus on how people are doing, not just what they’re doing. Ask questions that invite conversation, not status updates.
2. Develop People
Great leaders grow other leaders.
They coach, encourage, and challenge people to stretch into their potential. Development doesn’t require a big budget. It requires attention and feedback.
Try this:
Ask each person on your team what kind of feedback helps them grow best: frequent and informal, or structured and planned? Then tailor your approach to them.
3. Lead Change
Change is constant and people look to their leaders for clarity.
Strong leaders don’t just announce change; they help others understand the “why” and see themselves in the future state.
Try this:
Before introducing a change, clarify the purpose in a sentence or two. Link it to shared goals or values so people know what they’re working toward, not just what’s different.
4. Inspire Others
Inspiration isn’t about speeches; it’s about energy and belief.
When leaders express optimism, share vision, and recognize effort, they spark motivation.
Try this:
Publicly recognize small wins and connect them to the mission and vision. Acknowledge progress and remind your team how their work contributes to something meaningful.
5. Think Critically
Strong leaders are curious thinkers.
They seek information, question assumptions, and weigh multiple perspectives before deciding. Critical thinking builds credibility and confidence.
Try this:
Before making a major decision, invite at least one opposing viewpoint. Ask, “What might we be missing?” It can surface insights you hadn’t considered.
6. Communicate Clearly
Leadership communication is less about talking more and more about listening well.
Clear communication ensures understanding, alignment, and trust.
Try this:
At the end of a conversation, summarize what you heard before offering your perspective. It shows respect and helps prevent misunderstandings.
7. Create Accountability
Accountability is the backbone of trust.
Leaders who set clear expectations and follow through create reliability across their teams. Accountability isn’t about control. It’s about ownership.
Try this:
Revisit commitments regularly. Celebrate what’s on track, and address gaps early with curiosity rather than blame.
Putting It All Together
These seven expectations don’t operate in isolation; they reinforce one another.
When you strengthen one, you often elevate the rest. Building relationships supports development. Clear communication enables accountability. Critical thinking fuels change.
Great leadership is a continuous balancing act and it starts with awareness.
Reflection: The Practice That Makes Growth Stick
Knowing what’s expected is one thing; practicing it consistently takes reflection.
Strong leaders pause regularly to ask, “How am I leading?” and “What can I strengthen next?”
That’s why we created the Leadership Expectations Self-Check - a free, one-page guide to help you evaluate yourself across these seven areas and choose one or two to focus on this month.
👉 Download your free copy here
Take five minutes to reflect, refocus, and spark your next level of leadership.
