We all know leaders who stand out. Whose actions are genuine and make us feel seen. Leaders, we want to be led by.
It’s clear that these leaders just do things differently... but what is it that sets them apart? What are the things they’re doing to yield great influencing results? At their core, their results are a reflection of the behaviors they exhibit on a daily basis. So, the easiest way to create great results is to identify the actionable behaviors that lead to them.
In this blog, we want to help identify the specific behaviors that leaders exhibit, so that you can apply them in your own life to yield similar results. After working with countless high-performing leaders and their teams, we’ve identified five small things great leaders do. Often unnoticed, but always impactful.
*silence*
Small Action #1: They Listen More Than They Speak
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” — Stephen R. Covey
Listening more than you speak is more avoiding the negative rather than reinforcing the positive. Think about the conversations you’ve had where you were constantly interrupted. You probably felt annoyed, frustrated or even undervalued.
Now observe the opposite interaction. Someone actually listened. You may not notice the lack of interruption but what you do notice is the feeling of value you get when someone takes the time to care about your opinion more than their own.
Everyone longs to feel heard.
Great leaders know that listening isn’t just about waiting for your turn to talk. They make intentional eye contact, affirm what they heard by repeating it back and leave space before responding!
Want to be a leader people trust? Start by listening like you care about the person across from you.
“Thank you for sharing this. I can see this means a lot to you.”
Small Action #2: They Acknowledge Other People’s Emotions
Close your eyes and imagine this (well wait until you’re finished reading): The quarter is nearly over. You and your team have spent weeks refining a project proposal. You’re proud of it. But when you present it, your leader’s first reaction isn’t excitement; it’s concern about the cost.
Just like that, the energy in the room shifts.
High-performing teams are filled with people who care deeply about their work. And with that comes a mixed bag of emotions. Frustration. Excitement. Disappointment. Great leaders don’t ignore this. They acknowledge it. They recognize effort before critiquing.
“Thank you for sharing this. I can see it means a lot to you.”
One simple action to validate your team and support them can lead to vastly different results. Great leaders do this, not to check a box, but because they truly recognize and appreciate the work their team put into the project.
“Can I take some time to think about this?”
Small Action #3: They Take a Beat Before Making Decisions
Show of hands… who’s ever made a decision they later regret?
Even the best leaders aren’t immune to this. From time to time, we’re all going to make a decision that causes regret—that is part of being human. It is especially part of being a leader. While we can’t completely avoid it, the trick is reducing the likelihood of it happening.
Oftentimes regretful words and decisions come from a place of high emotion. Your teammate said something to frustrate you, or you’re stressed about a deadline, and something slips out that you will come to regret.
What we know about emotion is that it is often temporary… that’s why it’s called the heat of the moment. So, what do great leaders do? They wait.
“Can I take some time to think about this?”
The ability to lead well starts with the ability to think clearly. Next time you are in a state of high emotion, pause, breathe, and wait. We like to use a 10-second rule of thumb but this can even be days depending on the situation or decision. Waiting for emotions to simmer allows you to use your most powerful tool, your brain, to think logically about the situation and respond appropriately.
Hint: Learn to recognize high emotion early and use a grounding technique to allow yourself to recenter and remind yourself to wait. I like to gently rub my fingertips together, but many use a deep breath or even a little pinch. Anything that allows you to refocus will work great. It sounds silly, but it works.
“How was your weekend?”
Small Action #4: They Show Genuine Interest in Their Team
Have you ever worked with someone who only reached out when they needed something? No check-ins. No casual conversations. Just straight to business. It doesn’t feel great, does it?
While efficiency is great, relationships are built in the in-between moments.
High-performing leaders remember birthdays. They ask about the weekend. They check in after a tough meeting. And they do it because they care. Not because it’s a leadership tactic, but because they genuinely value their team as people, not just as workers.
It doesn’t take much. A small question. A quick note. A simple, “How are you doing?”
It’s the little things that make people feel seen.
Fun Fact: Your team typically spends over half of their waking day with you, more than they spend with their family during the week. Make work a place where they want to be, not a place they dread being.
“Good morning, Alex.”
Small Action #5: Remember People’s Names
This last one’s simple. Right? Well… not always! I’ve always been amazed at leaders who remember names, regardless of how long they’ve known someone. Think about the last person you met who remembered your name, not just later that day but months later after not seeing you since.
“Good morning, Alex.”
“Hey Jordan, great job on that report.”
“Sophia, how was your weekend?”
Feels good, right? Like you matter.
Great leaders understand that a name isn’t just a label. It’s personal. Remembering and using people’s names in conversations shows respect, recognition, and genuine interest. It’s a small act with a big impact. It doesn’t take much, but hearing your name reminds you that you’re seen. Feeling seen builds trust.
The best leaders don’t just lead through strategy or expertise. They lead through small, intentional actions that create trust, respect, and motivation.
The best part? You don’t need a leadership title to start doing them today.
Great leadership isn’t about what you say. It’s about what you do.
