Leadership is Easy: 11 Habits to Learn Early so You Can Lead Expertly

By Shaina Lane

Those who say leadership is easy, are probably doing it wrong. 

Leadership isn't a destination to arrive at; it is a journey filled with ups and downs, twists and turns where only the courageous thrive. The most memorable leaders recognize that their new role isn't about them, but about creating a high-performing environme

• Language: English
• Publisher: Premier Professional Coaching
• Release date: Mar 29, 2024
• ISBN: 9798990294608

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Copyright © 2024 by Shaina Lane

Platypus Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-962133-67-8

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any means without permission.

This is a work of nonfiction. Nonetheless, some of the names and personal characteristics of the individuals involved have been changed in order to disguise their identities. Any resulting resemblance to persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

Disclaimers

Gallup®, CliftonStrengths®, StrengthsFinder® and the 34 CliftonStrengths® theme names are trademarks of Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. The non-Gallup® information you are receiving has not been approved and is not sanctioned or endorsed by Gallup® in any way. Opinions, views, and interpretations of CliftonStrengths® are solely the beliefs of Shaina Lane, the author of this publication.

The web addresses referenced in this book were active at the time of the book’s publication but may be subject to change.

Real World Testimonials for Leadership is Easy

(Said No One Ever)

This is a helpful and inspiring book that will guide new managers through the transition into leading people that also includes pearls of wisdom for seasoned leaders too! A MUST READ.

– Stephanie Miletich Director of Human Resources, Orthopaedic Associates of Muskegon

This is an all-inclusive guide to the resources and topics all new leaders should be equipped with. It serves as a launching point for individuals to truly become the best leaders they can be and puts them in the driver’s seat for doing so!

-Annah Miller Practice Manager, Eastown Veterinary Clinic

This book prepares you for many of the issues that new managers often struggle to navigate. It’s a book that you can read every few months and it will speak to you in a different way each time. Keep it in your desk!"

-Ken Takenaka Clinical Director, Orthopedic

+ Fracture Specialists

This is everything they’d teach about management in a business master’s program consolidated into a fun book. The stories bring each topic to life and make it relatable – that’s a big differentiator from all of the dry management books out there.

-Kylie Lannen Manager, Organizational Development

This book offered me several opportunities for reflection and also some just in time tools for navigating current challenges. I wish I had this book several years ago as I started my leadership journey.

-Kara Gialluca Operations Manager at Orthopedic Specialty Institute

In Leadership is Easy, Shaina has created a must have pocket guide for any Leader or Manager. It’s packed with stories, questions, insights, ideas and activities to help you make leadership easier through habits.  Not great giant leaps but little things that all build up over time to help you be the best leader you can.

-Charlotte Blair Partner, The Strengths Partners.

Table Of Contents

Foreward

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter 1 Manager vs. Leader

Chapter 2 Creating Habits

Chapter 3 Habit 1 – Self-Awareness

Chapter 4 Habit 2 – Meaningful 1:1s

Chapter 5 Habit 3 – Creating Connection Opportunities

Chapter 6 Habit 4 - Meaningful Feedback

Chapter 7 Habit 5 - Prioritization And Delegation

Chapter 8 Habit 6 - Dealing With Difficult People,

Conversations, And Feedback

Chapter 9 Habit 7 - Setting Clear Expectations

Chapter 10 Habit 8 – Looking For Different

Chapter 11 Habit 9 - Developing A Coach-Like Approach

Chapter 12 Habit 10 - Career And Professional

Development Conversations

Chapter 13 Habit 11 - Leadership Presence

Summary

Resources

Acknowledgments

About The Author

Distinguished Leadership Program

FOREWARD

I met Shaina in 2019 when we went through CliftonStrengths® coaching certification together in Raleigh, NC. I sat down next to her and struck up a conversation which is normal for an extrovert like me (Woo®) and a relief for an introvert like her. Shaina’s high Relator® talent helped us form an authentic connection and I was happy to have a fellow foodie and strengths enthusiast at my table.

In the years since, we kept in contact, but our friendship and communication accelerated in the past year. Shaina is one of those people who asks the best questions, loves a good belly laugh and isn’t afraid to lean in when things are challenging.

On a personal level, Shaina has become an irreplaceable friend to me. Willing and able to explore feelings and make observations about things I’ve said that have helped me look inward has contributed to my growth as a person.

On a professional level, as an HR executive with 25 years of experience having coached hundreds of people and leaders, I would consider myself a fairly savvy leader and coach. Even so, I am also a human and, like most humans, whether they would admit it or not, still someone with vast opportunity to continue to learn and become a better version of myself. Shaina’s practical thinking and powerful questions have become a go-to for me in the areas of people leadership and self-management and I am grateful to have her on speed dial.

An accomplished Iron Woman, Shaina is an incredibly disciplined gal, and her zest for setting and meeting goals has been impressive to observe. She shared her discipline with a group of us this past year in her Better Me in ‘23 goal group. As a participant in the group, I executed on more goals in 2023 than any other year in the last decade.

In this book, Shaina gives you a peek into her own experiences, while offering a consumable description of habits that can completely shift how you are leading today. No matter what level of leader is reading this right now, you will walk away with some solid ideas and habits to implement for yourself and the people you lead and mentor.

I have only one regret about Shaina’s book…that I didn’t have it to read 25 years ago!

-Clara Blitch, Chief Human Resources Officer, Williamson Health

DEDICATION

I don’t want to hire a wet noodle. I want to hire someone who will come in here, challenge me, challenge the department, and challenge the university to be better.

- Todd Jager

I am dedicating this book to the first person in my life who reinforced the importance of challenging the status quo. It takes a confident and self-assured leader to put people on their team who constantly question them, creating more headaches than you can imagine. That’s what Todd did for me, supporting my career in so many amazing ways.

I received my Bachelor’s of Science degree in Physical Education, with two emphasis areas: Athletic Training and Fitness/Wellness. While I no longer work in that field, I am forever grateful to have started my career with an incredible mentor who shaped the professional I am today.

I was accepted into the student athletic training program at Grand Valley State University my sophomore year, and they had just hired a new Head Athletic Trainer from the University of Michigan, Todd Jager. Todd was the ultimate professional and had high expectations for his students. For example, our required attire was khaki pants and a tucked-in polo shirt. The sleeves could not be rolled up, even on those 90-degree days, lugging water bottles around for the football team. We were not to associate with the athletes outside the program. I think his exact words were, You will not be friends with my athletes. You will not do their dishes or homework or date them. He placed significant emphasis on professional behavior and dress code.

We were college students with a full-time course load, 30+ hours of sports each week, and team travel, and some of us even held part-time jobs at night to help offset the cost of whatever college students needed. You know, late-night nachos, booze, gas, and textbooks.

Todd’s style was very different from the previous head athletic trainer’s, which surprised many of us. We rebelled early and often, creating a strained relationship between Todd and me in my first year. That all changed in my junior year. I was assigned to our Rehabilitation Room with two other students for the spring semester. The senior student in charge quit the program, leaving Todd in a bind. He explored several options for a lead in the rehab room, but none of them worked out. Reluctantly, and after lengthy conversations, he put me in charge for the semester solely because I was the most senior student available.

We didn’t know it then, but when I took the CliftonStrengths® assessment (formerly StrengthsFinder® 2.0) later in my career, Responsibility® showed up as my top talent.

Todd handed me the reins and trusted me to ensure the rehab room was open daily, everyone followed protocols, and student-athletes received outstanding care. This assignment tapped into my Responsibility® talent, and I thrived. In my senior