Your First Leadership Job: How Catalyst Leaders Bring Out the Best in Others

Part 2: Mastery and Leadership Skills

Early on, we made a statement that now bears repeating: Great leadership takes place every day, in the smallest of ways. Pieced together, these moments might not seem notable. But put them together, and over time they will make for a successful career and a happy life. By taking your leadership journey seriously, you will grow not only your own capabilities, but also those of the people around you. This is where the real work—and the satisfaction—will happen for you.

But it will take practice.

Think of this Mastery section as a practical guide to the situations you'll face every day. As you lead meetings, when a nervous colleague knocks on your door, or as you wonder whether to click “Send” and launch that hasty email, you'll find yourself making (or not!) a series of decisions about how to best meet your goals and keep your team feeling confident and engaged.

The next chapters are all about your behavior—what you'll need to do, when, and why, to be a successful leader. You're on a journey to become the best leader you can be and fulfill your leadership legacy. But, there is no magic button that will instantly transform you into a perfect leader. You'll encounter unexpected diversions, tough challenges, and brand-new experiences.

In the following Mastery and Leadership Skills chapters, you'll learn how to handle an array of typical leadership ...