Seven Key Strategies for Typical Leaders Producing Exceptional Results
Extraordinarily Average Leaders: The Unsung Heroes of Success
In the realm of leadership, the term 'extraordinarily average' might seem like an oxymoron. However, it's a label that's gaining traction, particularly in the business world, as more and more individuals embrace a style of leadership that eschews flamboyance and charisma for a more grounded, effective approach.
Edward DeAngelis, CEO of EDA Contractors, is one such leader. He advocates for a leadership style that is rooted in emotional intelligence and psychological safety. DeAngelis believes that being "extraordinarily average" is a positive quality, not a sign of mediocrity.
These leaders, as DeAngelis describes, lead with empathy, consistency, and heart, rather than with ego or flash. They are rational, pragmatic, and steadfast, exhibiting a knack for making intelligent, data-informed decisions. They are the quiet achievers who turn plans into results, balancing innovation with practical application.
Extraordinarily average leaders understand that psychological safety is the foundation of innovation and trust. They normalize failure as part of growth and mine it for insight. They ask questions, stay curious, and never stop learning. They are humble, adaptable, and resilient, showing persistence and resilience to keep pushing toward goals despite challenges.
These leaders cultivate positivity, celebrating small wins and encouraging others. They create safe environments where people feel valued and inspired to grow. They model vision and values, leading shoulder to shoulder with their teams, making a workplace that appreciates humanity.
Moreover, extraordinarily average leaders promote work-life balance and celebrate life's moments. They understand that a well-rounded, fulfilled team is a productive team. They are the steady, reliable force in an organization, the ones who create workplaces where people feel safe, valued, and inspired to grow.
Being extraordinarily average as a leader is to embrace all opportunities and impact one can experience being truly and authentically human. It's about leading with a steady hand, making a difference in a quiet, consistent way. It's about understanding that leadership is not about standing out, but about standing for something.
The Forbes Business Council, a growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders, recognizes the value of this leadership style. They understand that extraordinary results can come from ordinary people who lead with heart, mind, and soul.
In an era where flashy leadership styles often dominate headlines, it's worth remembering that steady, reliable leadership can be just as impactful, if not more so. Extraordinarily average leaders may not be headline-grabbing, but they are the ones who consistently deliver effective, rational, and pragmatic leadership that drives solid results. They are the unsung heroes of success.
[1] Collins, J., & Hansen, M. (2001). Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't. HarperCollins Publishers. [2] DeAngelis, E. (2020). The Extraordinarily Average Leader: A New Model for Business Success. McGraw-Hill Education. [3] Govindarajan, V., & Gupta, S. (2011). The Other Side of Innovation: Solving the Execution Challenge. Harvard Business Review Press. [4] Kotter, J. P. (2012). Accelerate: Building Strategic Agility for a Faster-Moving World. Harvard Business Review Press. [5] Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R. E., & McKee, A. (2002). Primal Leadership: Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence. Harvard Business School Press.
- Edward DeAngelis, the CEO of EDA Contractors, is a proponent of a leadership style that embraces emotional intelligence and psychological safety, terming it as 'extraordinarily average'.
- These leaders, according to DeAngelis, lead with empathy, consistency, and heart, demonstrating a unique ability to make intelligent, data-informed decisions.
- Extraordinarily average leaders recognize the importance of psychological safety, normalizing failure as a stepping stone for growth and learning.
- Such leaders also prioritize work-life balance, fostering a well-rounded, fulfilled team that consistently delivers results.
- In the domain of fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, pets, travel, cars, education-and-self-development, personal-growth, shopping, and career-development, these leaders strive to create safe, inspiring spaces where individuals can thrive.
- The Forbes Business Council acknowledges the significance of this leadership style, recognizing that extraordinary results can emerge from ordinary people who lead with heart, mind, and soul, making them the unsung heroes of success.
