Over the years, the definition of a leader and what people expect of their leadership team have changed.
Today, leaders are expected to be strategic risk-takers, bold decision-makers, and caring servants.
Building on these capabilities takes time, but most importantly, it requires a mindset of a tough leader.
Some of the world’s celebrated leaders consider themselves to be tough. And contrary to popular belief, being tough doesn’t mean being rude, arrogant, or closed-minded.
Instead, tough leaders possess qualities that help them make difficult decisions, give constructive feedback, cope with setbacks, and ‘say no’ when they have to.
These leaders have the courage of conviction. They like people and love challenges. They also expect the best out of others but have the highest standards reserved for themselves.
And as Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo once said, “As a leader, I am tough on myself, and I raise the standard for everybody; however, I am very caring because I want people to excel at what they are doing so that they can aspire to be me in the future.”
