What Personal Habit Contributes to Success as a Business Leader?
Unlock the secrets to becoming a standout business leader with this compelling read, loaded with expert advice on personal habits that drive success. Delve into topics that span from mastering work-life balance to embracing a culture of continuous learning. With wisdom gleaned from top industry minds, this article is an essential guide for anyone looking to excel in the leadership arena.
- Maintain A Healthy Work-Life Balance
- Commit To Continuous Learning And Adaptability
- Understand Needs Of The Gig Economy
- Schedule Daily Reflection Time
- Engage In Deep Work Early Morning
- Practice Relentless Prioritization
- Implement Consistent Time Blocking
- Visit Property Sites Daily
- Pursue Relentless Follow-Through
- Keep A Daily Learning Journal
- Regulate Nervous System Under Pressure
- Commit To Continuous Learning
- Foster Authentic Relationships
- Strive To Learn New Things
- Journal About Customer Feedback
- Do A Daily Evening Check-In
- Dedicate Morning Hour To Strategic Thinking
- Set Aside Time For Weekly Reflection
- Track Key SEO Performance Data
- Prioritize Daily Reflection And Goal-Setting
- Block Time For Deep Work
- Practice Daily Reflection
- Keep A Daily Reflection Journal
- Foster Open Communication
- Reflect Weekly On Success And Improvements
- Plan Weekly Goals Every Sunday Evening
Maintain A Healthy Work-Life Balance
One personal habit that drives my success as a business leader is maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I structure my workweek with clear priorities, leveraging tools like calendars and to-do lists to stay organized. Regular exercise at the gym helps manage stress and boosts overall well-being, while weekends are dedicated to relaxation, loved ones, and personal activities. During challenging times, I ensure to recharge by taking breaks or disconnecting on vacations. By setting clear boundaries between personal and professional life, I sustain focus, creativity, and resilience, enabling me to lead effectively and achieve long-term success.
Commit To Continuous Learning And Adaptability
A habit that I've cultivated and consider crucial to my success is continuous learning and adaptability. Through my experience at Audo, I've seen how the rapid pace of technological evolution demands an adaptable skill set. We built Audo around this principle, creating tools like personalized AI career coaches that help individuals and businesses remain agile in dynamic markets.
For example, Audo's AI-driven assessments allow employees to continually reassess and realign their skills with market demands, which I've implemented to ensure our team remains at the forefront of industry innovations. This habit of constant reassessment and learning was essential during the post-pandemic shift when many industries accelerated their digital change.
To adopt this habit, I encourage focusing on skill development that aligns with both personal growth and organizational needs. This approach not only helps in maintaining relevance but also ensures that you're always prepared for unexpected shifts in industry trends, lending a strategic advantage.
Understand Needs Of The Gig Economy
One personal habit that has significantly contributed to my success as a business leader is my commitment to deeply understanding the needs of the gig economy. This involved immersing myself in the real-world experiences of gig workers and businesses, which I initially developed while playing professional basketball overseas. Just like basketball required adaptability and teamwork, leading a company requires understanding diverse perspectives and needs.
One practical application of this habit is how we built Gig Wage to not only provide efficient payments but also to genuinely improve the experience for gig contractors. For instance, when a client, a Hospitality Staffing CFO, highlighted how reducing payment processing time allowed them to focus on other business aspects, it underlined the tangible benefits of our solutions. This commitment to understanding real-world challenges is a habit that continuously drives innovation at Gig Wage.
Another example is when an owner of a Security Services company described Gig Wage as a "unicorn," found after extensive research. Their feedback reinforced the importance of building a product that caters specifically to underserved niches in the gig economy. Developing this habit requires listening closely to your industry, leveraging experiences, and translating insights into practical solutions for your clients.
Schedule Daily Reflection Time
I schedule daily reflection time to analyze my decisions and interactions critically. This self-check helps identify where I can improve or communicate better. At our law firm, reflection sharpens my ability to serve both clients and colleagues effectively. It's a small habit that drives big results over time. Continuous self-awareness, I've found, is an underrated leadership superpower. Daily reflection started when I noticed recurring mistakes in my decisions. I realized I needed time to analyze my thought process critically. Initially, I scheduled 10 minutes daily, gradually extending it as I saw results. Seeing how it improved my judgment encouraged me to make it routine. It's a habit rooted in curiosity and a drive for growth.
Engage In Deep Work Early Morning
Deep work in the early morning hours has become my secret weapon for strategic thinking and decision-making. I found this practice by accident during a complex merger when dawn became my only refuge for clear thinking.
The habit really stuck when I started considering these morning meetings as non-negotiable dates with the future of the company. Think about compound interest - small daily investments of focused attention lead to exponential returns. At this point, after six months, this practice has altered for me the way in which I process information and seize opportunities.
For other business leaders, your most valuable contributions likely will come from having the mental space to see patterns others don't. Start with a 90-minute block of protected time-it doesn't have to be mornings-but consistency is key. You will get used to the early meeting discomfort quickly when matched against the clarity and foresight you'll gain.
Practice Relentless Prioritization
One personal habit that has been instrumental to my success as a business leader is my commitment to relentless prioritization. I make it a point to begin each day with a clear focus on the tasks and decisions that will drive the most significant outcomes for my business or the businesses I coach. This habit was born from my time in the US Army, where telecommunications and strategic thinking required precision and the ability to assess what was truly critical under pressure. That same discipline shaped how I approach decision-making in business. Running my telecommunications company, which grew to employ 30 people and generate millions in revenue, required me to identify and act on opportunities with the highest potential ROI while eliminating distractions.
This habit became even more refined as I earned my MBA in Finance and worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs globally. During one coaching session with a struggling business, I applied this practice by helping them analyze their daily operations to isolate activities that were not aligned with profitability or efficiency. By teaching the team how to focus only on revenue-generating priorities, they saw an increase in productivity within months. My experience has shown me that success in business isn't about doing more; it's about doing what matters most and executing it flawlessly. This principle of prioritization continues to guide my work and the businesses I support.
Implement Consistent Time Blocking
One personal habit that has been instrumental to my success as a business leader is consistent time blocking. This practice ensures I dedicate focused periods to high-priority tasks, allowing me to tackle challenges with clarity and purpose while balancing the daily demands of running a business.
Time blocking wasn't something that came naturally to me-it was developed out of necessity when I realized that being reactive to every email, meeting, or request was derailing my productivity and leaving little room for strategic thinking.
I began by setting aside specific blocks on my calendar for critical tasks like reviewing campaign performance, brainstorming creative strategies, and mentoring my team. Each block is non-negotiable and designed to minimize distractions, ensuring I can fully immerse myself in the task at hand.
For instance, in the early stages of a high-stakes campaign, I dedicate uninterrupted time to analyzing data and aligning team objectives, which helps set the foundation for success.
This habit has not only improved my efficiency but has also had a ripple effect on how I lead. My team recognizes the importance of focused work and has adopted similar practices, leading to better collaboration and overall productivity. It's also taught me to protect my time, ensuring that I'm available for strategic decisions rather than being caught up in low-priority tasks.
Time blocking is more than a productivity hack-it's a mindset that emphasizes intention overreaction. Developing this habit required discipline and a willingness to reassess how I approached my day, but the results have been transformative. It allows me to stay ahead of challenges, focus on growth, and lead with clarity, which I believe is essential for any business leader striving for sustained success.
Visit Property Sites Daily
I make it a point to personally visit at least one property site each day, even if it's just for 15 minutes, because it helps me stay connected to the actual work we're doing at New Horizon Home Buyers. This hands-on approach has saved us from countless renovation mistakes and helped me better understand our contractors' challenges, such as when we almost missed serious foundation issues in a recent flip that I caught during a routine visit.
Pursue Relentless Follow-Through
One personal habit that I believe contributes significantly to my success as a business leader is the relentless pursuit of follow-through. I'm a big believer that ideas are only as good as the actions taken to bring them to life. This mindset has been pivotal at Simply Noted, where turning concepts into tangible results has driven our growth.
I developed this habit during my time as a college and professional athlete. In sports, discipline and consistency are non-negotiable. You don't just show up on game day; you put in the work daily, rain or shine. Transitioning into the business world, I realized the same principle applied. Success isn't about one-off wins; it's about showing up, doing the small things right, and staying committed to your vision—even when it's tough. That's how you build something extraordinary.
Keep A Daily Learning Journal
I've found that maintaining a daily learning journal has been crucial to my success at UrbanPro, where I spend 20 minutes each evening reflecting on challenges and decisions made. Recently, this habit helped me spot a pattern in user feedback that led to a major platform improvement, increasing student engagement by 40%. I started small with just bullet points, but now I use a structured format to track insights about our education platform, team dynamics, and market trends, which helps me make more informed decisions.
Regulate Nervous System Under Pressure
Through building multiple tech companies and experiencing burnout firsthand, I found that success as a leader depends heavily on nervous system regulation - essentially, your ability to stay balanced under pressure. After battling Complex PTSD and stress early on in my career, I eventually landed on using somatic exercises to reset during high-pressure moments. The impact was remarkable: just 5 minutes of these body-based practices help reset the nervous system, allowing me to make clearer decisions and lead more effectively. Our data at NEUROFIT now confirms this across thousands of users, showing a 54% reduction in stress levels for active users within a week of nervous system regulation practice. For other leaders looking to enhance their performance, I'd recommend taking a preventive approach - start with short, consistent regulation breaks, rather than waiting until stress becomes overwhelming.
Commit To Continuous Learning
The Habit of Continuous Learning That Drives My Success as a Business Leader My commitment to continuous learning is one personal habit that has greatly contributed to my success as a business leader. As the founder of a legal process outsourcing company, staying ahead of industry trends and constantly refining my skills has been crucial. Early on, I habitually started reading books, articles, and case studies about leadership, legal trends, and technology. But what truly helped me was setting aside time each day to learn something new, whether it was about a new automation tool or a better way to communicate with my team. For example, I used to struggle with managing remote teams, but after diving into leadership resources about remote work dynamics, I implemented new strategies that improved communication and collaboration within our team. Over time, this habit of daily learning not only helped me grow as a leader but also kept me adaptable in a constantly evolving industry, ensuring my company remained competitive.
Foster Authentic Relationships
One personal habit that has significantly contributed to my success as a business leader is my dedication to fostering authentic relationships. I developed it early on from my father, who founded MPS with a strong commitment to integrity and customer engagement. I've continued this by ensuring our merchant payment solutions, like our integrated POS systems, reflect transparent pricing and excellent service, earning us a Better Business Bureau's Integrity Award.
This habit manifests in how I prioritize transparency in all client interactions. For instance, our Payanywhere app simplifies payment processes, allowing businesses to efficiently manage sales even through an iPhone. By ensuring clients thoroughly understand and benefit from our services, I build trust and a deeper community connection, observable through our 5-star Google rating.
Furthermore, I apply this relationship-focused approach to our internal culture, emphasizing trust and accountability. At MPS, we have created a workplace where every team member feels valued and empowered. This, in turn, strengthens the bonds with our partners and clients, reinforcing our tradition of excellence as a family-owned business.
Strive To Learn New Things
I am always striving to learn new things and expand my skill set. I make it a habit to learn something new every day, no matter how small, and I'm always on the lookout for fresh sources of knowledge and skill development that I can apply to my own work and share with my team. I believe this growth mindset has been integral to my career progression and current success as a business leader. In today's world, no professional can afford to "rest on their laurels" or assume they've learned all there is to know. Even if you're an expert today, the fast pace of change means that won't be true in a few years if you're not keeping up with the latest advancements and developments. This is even more critical for leaders, who not only manage their own careers but also guide the growth of their companies and ensure they remain relevant and competitive in the future.
I have two tips for leaders who want to develop a personal habit of continuous learning. The first is to set aside a few minutes every day specifically for learning. This could mean dedicating time to acquire a new skill, reading a book or blog from an industry thought leader, or participating in webinars, workshops, or courses. There are countless ways to acquire knowledge, so every leader can find something that fits into their schedule and complements their learning style.
My second tip is to be more aware of potential learning opportunities in your day-to-day life. Whenever you have a question and don't know the answer, take it as an opportunity to learn something new. Similarly, if you encounter a new tool, strategy, or process you're unfamiliar with, don't let it pass by. Take the time to learn more about it and consider how it could benefit your business. By staying alert and open to learning opportunities, you'll find that each day offers many chances to grow.
Journal About Customer Feedback
Daily journaling about customer feedback is my secret weapon at Webvizio - I spend 15 minutes each morning reviewing and reflecting on what our users are saying. I started this habit after we launched our first CRM feature and realized how many great improvement ideas were hiding in casual customer conversations. I'm constantly surprised by how these quick morning notes have shaped our product roadmap and helped us build features that actually solve real problems.
Do A Daily Evening Check-In
One habit that I've been in for a few years now is to do a daily check-in every evening, usually shortly before I start getting ready for bed, where I take a few minutes to reflect on the day and look ahead to my plans for the next one. I briefly list the tasks I accomplished, the tasks I intended to complete but didn't, and any specific challenges or issues I faced. I also make note of my progress on any ongoing goals or projects, and try to write down one thing I learned that day, even if it was something small. Finally, I'll put together my to-do list for the next day, and make note of any adjustments I want to make to my work process or task prioritization, either the next day or on an ongoing basis.
I started doing this when I was working with a leadership coach, who suggested the activity as a way to assess how I use my time and think about my work so I can make continuous improvements. I found the exercise extremely helpful and believe it's been a key factor in my success as a leader since I made it a part of my daily routine. It forces me to take a step back and view my day from a balanced perspective—not too focused on individual tasks, but not as broad as strategic planning. This middle ground has been incredibly effective for daily planning, and it's helped me balance immediate tasks with progress on long-term objectives and larger projects.
Dedicate Morning Hour To Strategic Thinking
One habit that's been crucial to my success, especially since founding spectup, is dedicating the first hour of each day to strategic thinking - no emails, no calls, just focused planning. I picked this up during my time at Deloitte's Innovation & Ventures team, where I noticed how easily daily operations could overshadow big-picture thinking. Back then, I was juggling multiple innovative projects, and without proper planning, it was like trying to build a house without blueprints. Now at spectup, I use this morning hour to review our ongoing startup projects, think about potential challenges, and spot opportunities that might help our clients beat those daunting startup failure statistics.
I actually started small - just 15 minutes a day while at N26 - and gradually built it up over time. This quiet time has helped me make better decisions about everything from which startups we take on as clients to how we structure our consulting services. Sometimes it's tempting to jump straight into the day's fires, but I've learned that this morning investment pays off tenfold in better leadership decisions and clearer strategic direction.
Set Aside Time For Weekly Reflection
One personal habit that significantly contributes to my success as a business leader is regular reflection. I set aside time each week to evaluate my decisions, team dynamics, and overall progress toward our goals. This practice allows me to identify what's working, what isn't, and how I can improve.
I developed this habit by initially keeping a journal where I documented my thoughts and experiences. Over time, I found that reflecting on both successes and challenges helped me gain valuable insights and fostered a growth mindset.
This habit not only enhances my decision-making but also encourages open communication within my team, as I share my reflections and invite their feedback. By prioritizing reflection, I cultivate a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that we adapt and thrive in an ever-changing business landscape.
Track Key SEO Performance Data
I discovered that keeping a daily 'metrics journal' where I track key SEO performance data has been a total game-changer for my leadership at FATJOE. Every morning, I spend 15 minutes reviewing our core metrics and jotting down insights, which helps me make better decisions and spot trends early - it started as a simple spreadsheet but evolved into a crucial habit that keeps me connected to what really matters in our business.
Prioritize Daily Reflection And Goal-Setting
I believe prioritizing daily reflection and goal-setting is one personal habit that contributes significantly to my success as a business leader. Each morning, I take a few moments to outline key objectives for the day, ensuring they align with broader organizational goals. At the end of the day, I reflect on my progress, assess challenges, and note any lessons learned. This practice helps me maintain clarity, focus, and adaptability in decision-making.
I developed this habit early in my career after realizing the importance of staying organized and intentional. I started by keeping a journal to track tasks and thoughts, which eventually evolved into a structured planning and reflection process. Over time, this routine became integral to my leadership style, enabling me to approach challenges with a clear perspective and prioritize what truly matters.
This habit enhances my productivity and fosters a sense of purpose and accountability. It allows me to lead with focus and consistency, ensuring that both short-term tasks and long-term objectives are achieved. I recommend cultivating a similar practice of intentional reflection for aspiring leaders-it's a simple but powerful way to stay aligned with your goals and continually improve as a leader.
Block Time For Deep Work
I credit my success to consistently blocking time for deep work. This habit, inspired by Cal Newport's book Deep Work, allows me to focus on strategic initiatives without interruptions.
I started this routine after realizing multitasking diluted my decision-making quality. Now, I schedule two-hour focus blocks daily, during which my phone is off, and emails are ignored. This simple habit has drastically improved both my efficiency and the platform's growth trajectory.
Practice Daily Reflection
One personal habit that has significantly contributed to my success as a business leader is practicing daily reflection. At the end of each day, I take 15 minutes to assess what went well, what could have been done differently, and how my actions aligned with my long-term goals. This habit has helped me stay grounded, identify growth opportunities, and consistently make better decisions. I developed this routine early in my career when I realized the importance of intentionality in leadership.
Daily reflection has not only improved my problem-solving skills but also deepened my understanding of my team's needs and challenges. By continuously refining my approach, I can adapt more effectively to changes and foster a culture of continuous improvement within my organization. This habit has been a cornerstone of my leadership philosophy, driving both personal and professional growth.
Keep A Daily Reflection Journal
One habit that has truly helped me succeed is keeping a "daily reflection journal." At the end of each day, I jot down what worked well, what didn't, and one thing I could improve. Running an e-commerce business has its fair share of unpredictable moments-inventory delays, changing trends, and customer feedback. Taking just 10 minutes to reflect helps me stay grounded and better prepared for the next challenge. This habit started when Festoon House first launched, and I realized how easy it was to get caught up in the busyness of day-to-day operations. I needed a way to step back and evaluate whether my decisions aligned with our long-term goals. Writing it down forced me to see patterns and gave me clarity on what deserved my attention. Over time, this small habit has shaped how I make decisions and handle setbacks. If something feels overwhelming, it's easier to spot the lesson hidden in the chaos when I've taken the time to reflect.
Foster Open Communication
A personal habit that has been a linchpin in my success as a business leader is fostering open communication. I honed this skill from my time as a business coach, where understanding client needs was paramount. At Yeti Restoration, this translates to ensuring transparency in every project. When homeowners face distressing circumstances, like mold issues or fire damage, clear and honest communication helps reassure them throughout the restoration process.
For instance, during a major project, we had a case where mold was hiding behind drywall. I ensured my team communicated clearly with the homeowners regarding the extent of the damage and the steps involved in remediation. By addressing their concerns and educating them about preventing future issues, we not only solved the immediate problem but empowered them with valuable knowledge.
This habit is crucial in a field where trust is everything. It leads to better customer experiences, as evidenced by our 200+ five-star reviews. Encouraging open dialogs with clients strengthens relationships, builds trust, and ensures a smoother restoration process, factors that ultimately contribute to the company's success.
Reflect Weekly On Success And Improvements
Consistency in reflection is something I attribute to my success. I allocate time each week to assess what went well and what could improve. This habit started when I realized how easy it was to get caught up in tasks without looking at the bigger picture. I developed it by setting aside time on Fridays to jot down quick notes and eventually turned it into a structured practice with actionable takeaways. Reflection keeps me grounded and helps me refine strategies with real data. It allows me to identify patterns, capitalize on strengths, and adjust where needed. This habit ensures I'm continually improving and leading with intention.
Plan Weekly Goals Every Sunday Evening
I've found that setting aside 30 minutes every Sunday evening for goal planning has been a game-changer in my insurance business leadership journey. I break down big quarterly goals into weekly actionable steps, which helped us achieve milestones like our recent $7.6M venture capital raise - it keeps me focused and accountable without getting overwhelmed.
