How to be an Unforgettable leader

If you look back over your career, chances are you can identify one or two people who stand out as unforgettable leaders. Even if these people didn’t hold a lofty title, their actions and words united people together. And whether that goal was large or small, far-reaching or contained, you remember these leaders for a long time.

While there are many great leaders in the world, not all of them are unforgettable—that is, they don’t leave an impression that lasts beyond their time. But being unforgettable is essential if you want long-term success. So, what makes one leader unforgettable and puts another in the “out of sight, out of mind” category? It comes down to three key elements. Develop these in yourself.

Know Who You Are

Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” While that’s a seems unforgiving, it does make the point that everyone must examine their life. For what? To pinpoint your true ideals. Memorable leaders know their ideals, why those ideals are important, and how those standards play out in life.

Know Your Vision, Communicate It, and Live It: a Harvard Business School professor once said, “The only thing a CEO needs to do is communicate their vision, communicate their vision, and then communicate their vision.” Why is communicating the vision so important? Because A leader who has no one following is just someone out for a walk.

Leaders are Learners

Communicating a vision does not mean the leader needs to be talkative. Many unforgettable leaders are quiet and reserved, such as presidents Truman and Eisenhower. People follow unforgettable leaders because they exemplify their vision, not just tout it.

Be Teachable Being open to learning new things and admitting your weaknesses. Realize that people don’t want to think they’re following an android. They want to know that whoever they’re following is real.

Memorable leaders teach other leaders and are interested in the development of people beneath them. That’s why you need to be in touch with your direct reports and learn their dreams, goals, and career aspirations. As the old quote says, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” So, the “teachable” part goes in two directions: you have to be willing to learn for yourself and you have to be willing to teach others.