What makes a leader capable of influencing anyone—even the most challenging team members? After 17 years helping thousands of leaders increase their impact, I've distilled the answer into 12 universal values that transcend personality differences, generational gaps, and cultural barriers.

Trust forms the foundation of effective leadership. When trust exists, people give each other grace and the benefit of the doubt; when it's absent, even good intentions become suspect. Equally important is living your professed values—not just the ones displayed on office walls, but embodying them in both major decisions and small daily interactions. Your team notices the alignment (or misalignment) between words and actions, especially in those micro-moments like keeping simple promises and commitments.

Finding common ground rather than highlighting divisions strengthens your leadership influence. While healthy differences in opinion drive innovation, unnecessary divisive conversations—particularly around politics—can fracture team cohesion. Generosity in recognition, rewards, and resources demonstrates that you value your people, while mastering the art of truthful but kind feedback creates clarity and psychological safety.

Leaders who demonstrate humble confidence strike the perfect balance—remaining open to input while providing clear direction and accountability. When you combine this with a service mindset, asking "What can I do for my team?" rather than only focusing on what they can do for you or the organization, you remove barriers to performance while showing genuine care. Listening with real interest, asking questions rather than making assumptions, and approaching correction conversations with the intention to "call up" rather than "call out" builds the trust that makes true influence possible.

Ready to put these values into practice? Grab my new book "Lead Anyone" on Amazon, and visit eliseboggs.com to discover how my team can help you transform compliance into commitment through executive coaching, customized training, and leadership retreats that deliver remarkable results.

Follow on Instagram: @12minuteleadership

The journey to exceptional leadership isn't a straight path—it's shaped by defining moments that challenge, inspire, and transform us. In this second installment of our foundational series, I pull back the curtain on six more pivotal experiences that molded my leadership philosophy and approach.

From the painful lesson of taking accountability after stranding 15 college students in South Africa (when I misread our flight details) to witnessing unpaid volunteers outperform paid staff when properly motivated, these real-world experiences reveal leadership truths that no textbook can capture. I share how my gymnastics coach's ability to spot potential in me as an 8-year-old shaped my belief that great leaders actively look for "gold" in their team members, creating magnetic loyalty through genuine investment in others' growth.

My parents' contrasting influences—a father who taught me that leadership enables meaningful change and a journalist mother who instilled the value of multiple perspectives—laid the groundwork for my approach to decision-making and team engagement. I reveal how toxic leadership experiences in my early career fueled my determination to become the kind of leader people want to follow. The challenges of leading cross-cultural teams in India taught me to build bridges across differences and convert skeptics into allies—crucial skills in today's diverse workplace.

Through mentorship, academic study, and practical application in university teaching, I've distilled what truly works in leadership beyond theory. This episode connects those experiences to actionable insights you can implement immediately to increase your influence, build genuine commitment, and achieve remarkable results with your team. Whether you're a seasoned executive or aspiring leader, these stories will resonate with your own leadership journey while providing fresh perspective on what truly matters in creating high-performing, engaged teams.

Follow on Instagram: @12minuteleadership

Leadership doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming to master. That's the foundational belief behind the 12-Minute Leadership Podcast, where small, practical changes can dramatically improve your leadership effectiveness and transform your team dynamics.

After witnessing the devastating effects of poor leadership firsthand and spending 17 years helping thousands of leaders develop their skills, I've distilled the art of leadership into bite-sized, actionable wisdom. Why? Because leadership matters profoundly. When 57% of employees quit because of their managers, and only a quarter of corporate training budgets target leadership development, we face a critical skills gap that affects engagement, performance, and retention across organizations everywhere.

This podcast bridges theory and practice, offering concrete strategies you can implement immediately. Whether you're listening during your commute, while cooking dinner, or during a workout, these 12 minutes will deliver a remarkable return on investment. For leaders feeling burdened by responsibility, this podcast offers a path back to confidence and joy. For those already thriving, it provides continuous growth opportunities on your leadership journey. After all, great leadership isn't just about creating followers—it's about developing more leaders.

Ready to trade compliance for true commitment and build your dream team? Subscribe now, pick up my book "Lead Anyone" on Amazon, and visit eliseboggs.com to explore how my team can help you level up your leadership through executive retreats, customized training, and coaching. Your leadership transformation starts with just 12 minutes.

Follow on Instagram: @12minuteleadership