Be a Startup Superstar

Chapter 5Act Like a Leader (Even If You Don't Have the Title Yet)

The only way to think like a leader is to first act: to plunge yourself into new projects and activities, interact with very different kinds of people, and experiment with unfamiliar ways of getting things done.

—Herminia Ibarra, professor and author of Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader

Ask a hundred business people what successful leadership looks like, and you'll get a hundred different answers. There might be some overlap, sure, but the truth is that leadership is one of the most difficult traits to define. Thousands of minds have been exhausted in an attempt to capture exactly what it means to be a great leader, and, with so many competing voices offering advice, it's hard to know where to look. In my experience, I've found five basic habits and traits to be a great starting place in my development as a leader. They have helped me quickly go from the ground floor to the C‐suite and I am excited to share them with you now. They are: set clear goals, prioritize them, remain calm during chaos, make fact‐informed gut decisions, and always work to earn your stripes.

Set Clear, Inspiring Goals

No one reaches lofty heights without lofty goals. If you want to lead, then your goals need to inspire you to jump out of bed and give everything your best each morning. For a goal to be truly attainable, whether it be applied to projects and initiatives, health and fitness, relationships, or your career, you must ...