“ THERE ’ S LEVELS TO THIS THING ,” Ryan Leak told Power Session attendees on the first day of the 2024 ISPA Conference . “ You feel in shape until you go the gym . You think you have a nice house until you visit a rich friend . There are levels to leadership — we ’ ve discovered this through national research studies . You have to equip people with the right tools and right questions to be asking themselves to get to the next level .”

Leak presented “ Leveling Up : 6 Questions for Next-Level Leadership ,” a play on the title of his book , Leveling Up : 12 Questions to Elevate Your Personal and Professional Development . He delved into the essence of leadership , emphasizing the importance of self-awareness , continual improvement , teamwork , investment in others , finding joy in the journey and embracing one ’ s potential . Here ’ s a deeper look at these six questions all business leaders should be asking themselves :

1 Self-Awareness : It ’ s crucial for leaders to ask themselves , “ What is it like to be on the other side of me ?” Understanding how others experience your actions , such as in group texts or meetings , is key to effective leadership .

2 Self-Improvement : Great leaders are committed to growth . They constantly ask , “ How can I get better ?”

— RYAN LEAK

This journey of improvement often involves inviting others into the conversation and embracing intellectual humility .

3 Team Player : Leaders should ask , “ What credit can I give away ?” Recognizing the contributions of others fosters a culture of appreciation and teamwork within an organization .

4 Investment : Effective leaders don ’ t just focus on their own success ; they also ask , “ Who am I paving a way for ?” Mentoring and supporting others on their career paths is essential for sustainable leadership .

5 Fun : In and around the challenges of leadership , it ’ s important to find joy . Asking , “ Am I enjoying it ?” encourages leaders to cultivate positivity and resilience , even in difficult times .

— RYAN LEAK

20 PULSE n JUNE 2024