What Do Great Leaders Really Do? A Simple Framework That Works
Leadership is complicated. But it doesn’t have to be confusing.
There are dozens—maybe even hundreds—of things leaders are expected to understand and practice. Decision-making, communication, accountability, motivation… the list goes on. And they’re all important.
But sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is simplify.
Our brains are incredible—but not infinite. Breaking big, complex concepts into simpler ones helps us understand, remember, and act on what really matters. That’s my goal here.
John Maxwell, one of my mentors, says there's a difference between educators and communicators. Educators take something simple and make it complicated. Communicators take the complicated and make it simple. I'm aiming to be a communicator today.
So here’s a simple framework that’s helped me lead more intentionally. And it will help you too. In essence, great leaders do three things:
Lead themselves
Lead others
Lead action
Let’s break it down.
1. Lead Yourself First: Leadership Starts with You
Leadership is a lot like movement. I’m not talking about “hauling cube” (Office fans, you know). I mean the simple act of going from one place to another. Leading yourself is just that—you begin where you are, and you move toward where you want to be.
And if you’re not willing to take the journey yourself, you’re not leading. That’s the difference between a travel agent and a tour guide. A travel agent tells you where to go. A tour guide goes with you.
Leading yourself requires:
Assessing your current reality
Envisioning your destination
Charting a course
Anticipating obstacles
Following through with commitment and resilience
The first and most foundational act of leadership is personal growth and direction.
2. Lead Others: Leadership Is Influence
“If you think you’re leading but no one is following, you’re just taking a walk.”
Leading others sounds simple in theory—just invite people to follow you, right? In reality, it's much more complex.
To lead others well, you have to:
Build trust by demonstrating care
Show competence so people believe in your direction
Paint a compelling vision of where you’re going and why it matters
Communicate clearly and consistently
Connect on a human level
Leadership is about people. It’s not a title, a role, or a corner office. It’s influence, earned through relationship and example.
3. Lead Action: Leadership Gets Things Done
Even the most “passive” leaders—thought leaders, for example—are driving action of some kind. Leadership without movement is just decoration.
As Maxwell says, “Leaders have a bias for action.”
To lead effectively, you must:
Set meaningful goals
Develop strategy and tactics
Inspire and motivate your team
Foster accountability and follow-through
Monitor morale and energy to keep people engaged
Leadership always implies a mission. There’s something to do. Something to build. Something to change. You’re not just rallying people—you’re rallying them toward something.
Final Thoughts: Leadership Is Simple—Not Easy
There’s no denying that leadership is challenging. Some days it’s deeply rewarding. Other days, it’s a grind. But when you focus on the fundamentals—lead yourself, lead others, lead action—you create a foundation that works in any situation.
Let me leave you with two questions:
Which of these three areas comes most naturally to you? How can you build on it?
Which area is hardest? What’s the one best next step you can take to grow in it?
Leadership isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about doing the right things consistently—and learning as you go.
