Hey, I’m Jade Black, a business leadership coach dedicated to entrepreneurial leadership and psychological growth. As a former marketing agency owner, I bring a unique lens to achieving success. I specialise in personal development helping entrepreneurs cultivate a strong mindset, enhance emotional intelligence, and develop strategic business plans while scaling their online business.
The 6 Actions That Separate Good Leaders from Great Leaders
Being a good leader is crucial for keeping your business running smoothly. You manage, direct, and solve problems—things get done, clients are happy, and progress is made. But being a great leader? That’s an entirely different ball game. Great leadership is what takes your business to the next level, transforms your clients, and builds a lasting legacy. It’s the difference between maintaining the status quo and leading a movement that inspires others to action.
So, what separates the good from the great? Let’s break down the six key actions that elevate leaders from merely effective to truly transformational.
1. Good Leaders Manage—Great Leaders Inspire Action
Good leaders are adept at managing tasks, projects, and people. They ensure that deadlines are met, systems are in place, and everything is moving forward. This is important for keeping a business operational. However, great leaders do much more than manage—they inspire action.
Great leaders make their teams and clients feel deeply connected to the mission, igniting a sense of purpose that transcends a simple to-do list. They don’t just assign tasks or track progress; they inspire people to take ownership, innovate, and go above and beyond. It’s not just about getting things done—it’s about making people feel like they are part of something bigger, something that matters. When people are inspired, they’re not just working for you; they’re working with you, driven by the same vision and passion that fuels your leadership.
How to Inspire Action:
To inspire action, you must communicate a vision that people want to rally behind. It’s not just about handing out instructions or setting goals—it’s about showing people why their contribution matters. Great leaders are clear on the “why” behind every task, and they ensure that each person feels personally connected to the overall mission.
One way to achieve this is by making your vision tangible and relatable. Share stories that illustrate the impact of the work your team is doing. Use real-world examples to show how your mission changes lives or makes a difference in the market. Inspiration comes from connecting the dots between daily tasks and the bigger picture.
Additionally, recognition plays a huge role in inspiring action. Great leaders are generous with praise and acknowledgment, making people feel valued for their contributions. When people feel appreciated and see the impact of their work, they are naturally motivated to do more, innovate, and push beyond expectations.
2. Good Leaders Direct—Great Leaders Empower
Good leaders know how to offer guidance and clear direction. They tell their team or clients what to do and how to do it. This approach is effective for achieving short-term goals and solving immediate problems. However, great leaders go beyond directing—they empower.
When you empower your team or clients, you’re not just providing them with answers; you’re giving them the tools to solve problems independently. Great leaders build confidence in their people, encouraging them to take control, make decisions, and tackle challenges without always needing to be told what to do. This not only fosters a deeper sense of ownership but also sets the foundation for sustainable growth. Empowerment transforms passive followers into active participants, creating a culture of trust, autonomy, and innovation. Great leaders know that when their people succeed on their own terms, the entire business flourishes.
How to Empower Others:
Empowerment comes from delegating responsibility and authority. When you give your team or clients the space to make decisions, you’re signaling that you trust them. But it’s not enough to hand over tasks—you need to ensure they have the skills, knowledge, and resources to succeed.
One strategy is to lead through coaching rather than commanding. When someone comes to you with a problem, instead of giving them the answer, ask questions that guide them to a solution. This approach not only helps them develop critical thinking skills but also instills confidence that they can handle challenges independently.
You can also empower by fostering a culture of continuous learning. Encourage your team or clients to take risks and try new things, even if it means failing along the way. When people know that failure is seen as part of the learning process, they’ll feel more empowered to take bold actions.
3. Good Leaders Solve Problems—Great Leaders Develop People
Good leaders are excellent problem-solvers. They step in, identify issues, and offer solutions to get things back on track. While this is valuable, great leaders focus on developing people rather than just solving problems.
Instead of offering quick fixes, great leaders teach their clients and teams to think critically and strategically handle challenges. They focus on building skills that last beyond any immediate issue, helping their clients evolve and adapt for future success. Great leadership is about long-term development, not just putting out fires. When you develop the people around you, you create a ripple effect of growth that continues long after your direct involvement.
How to Develop People:
Developing people requires a long-term mindset. It’s not about fixing today’s problem but about building the skills that will enable your team or clients to handle future challenges on their own.
One way to do this is through mentorship. Instead of solving a problem for someone, guide them through the process of finding the solution themselves. Help them develop the analytical skills, resilience, and strategic thinking they’ll need to succeed in the future. This also creates a culture where your people are constantly learning and evolving.
Additionally, provide opportunities for personal and professional growth. Offer training, workshops, or access to resources that help your team or clients grow in their roles. Great leaders understand that by investing in people’s development, they’re building a stronger, more capable business.
4. Good Leaders Are Committed—Great Leaders Are Consistent
There’s a big difference between commitment and consistency. Good leaders are committed to their goals, their clients, and their businesses. They show up, put in the work, and aim to achieve success. But great leaders take it a step further by being consistent in their actions, decisions, and values.
Consistency builds trust. When your team and clients know that you’ll always show up, maintain the same high standards, and stay true to your values, they trust you more deeply. In the world of online entrepreneurship, consistency is key—it’s what keeps your audience coming back, your team aligned, and your business growing. Great leaders know that showing up consistently, delivering value, and making decisions that align with their vision is the secret sauce for scaling a business and creating a loyal community.
How to Be Consistent:
Being consistent means doing what you say you’re going to do, every time. Whether it’s delivering on promises to clients or upholding company values during difficult decisions, consistency is the foundation of trust.
One way to ensure consistency is by creating systems and processes that support your leadership. For example, regular check-ins with your team, clear communication channels, and maintaining a high standard for customer service all contribute to a consistent experience.
In addition, model the behavior you want to see in others. If you want your team or clients to be dependable, innovative, or accountable, demonstrate those qualities consistently in your own actions.
5. Good Leaders Have Vision—Great Leaders Take Action
Everyone loves to talk about vision. Good leaders can articulate their dreams for the future—they have big ideas, plans, and aspirations for where they want their business to go. But vision without action is just a dream. Great leaders not only have vision, but they also take decisive action to turn that vision into reality.
It’s not enough to simply plan, strategise, and dream about the possibilities. In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, execution beats ideas every time. Great leaders understand that they need to take action, even when the path isn’t perfectly clear. They don’t wait for the stars to align or the perfect moment to arrive—they act now, adapt, and push forward. In doing so, they turn dreams into tangible results, moving their business from potential to powerhouse.
How to Take Action:
Taking action requires a combination of decisiveness and flexibility. Great leaders make decisions quickly, even when they don’t have all the information. They trust their instincts and are willing to adapt as new information becomes available.
It’s important to recognize that taking action doesn’t mean being reckless. Strategic risk-taking is essential—understand the potential rewards and consequences, but don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis. Keep moving forward, and adjust your course as needed. Great leaders are proactive, not reactive. They don’t wait for the perfect moment—they create it.
6. Good Leaders Are Passionate—Great Leaders Are Disciplined
Passion is often hailed as the key ingredient for success, and it’s true—good leaders are passionate about their business and their mission. They’re excited, energized, and ready to take on the world. But here’s the thing: passion alone isn’t enough to sustain long-term success.
Great leaders understand the power of discipline. They don’t rely solely on passion to drive them; they have the discipline to follow through, even when the excitement fades. Discipline is what keeps you consistent, focused, and moving forward when things get tough. It’s what helps you discern between ideas worth pursuing and those that need to be left on the cutting room floor. Great leaders understand that success is built on consistency and discipline, not just bursts of enthusiasm. It’s this discipline that allows them to keep growing their business long after the initial excitement has worn off.
How to Cultivate Discipline:
Cultivating discipline starts with creating routines and habits that support your goals. This might mean setting aside specific times for deep work, having a structured approach to goal-setting, or developing a system for tracking progress.
Discipline also means knowing when to say no. Not every opportunity is worth pursuing, and great leaders are able to focus on what truly matters. They are skilled at prioritizing tasks and sticking to their plan, even when distractions arise. Discipline ensures that you’re always moving in the direction of your goals, regardless of the challenges.
So, Which One Are You?
Are you content with being a good leader, or are you ready to be great?
Good leaders are successful—they manage well, solve problems, and build teams that get things done. But great leaders? They create movements. They don’t just keep the lights on—they scale, inspire, and build a community that’s deeply invested in the mission.
The difference between good and great isn’t just about hitting your targets or keeping things running smoothly. It’s about creating a legacy, empowering those around you, and inspiring your team or clients to reach their full potential. Great leadership isn’t just about what you accomplish, it’s about the lasting impact you have on the people you lead.
Good leaders will get you far, but great leaders take you to new heights. They don’t settle for progress, they’re committed to making their vision a reality, no matter what obstacles stand in the way. They understand that leadership is more than just managing tasks; it’s about transforming how people see themselves and their roles in your shared mission.
How to Level Up from Good to Great:
If you’re ready to take your leadership from good to great, it’s time to ask yourself some hard questions:
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Are you just managing your business, or are you leading with purpose and inspiring others to take action?
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Are you empowering your clients and team, or are you still directing them?
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Are you developing the people around you, or just solving problems as they come?
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Are you consistent in your actions and decisions, or are you only committed when things are easy?
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Do you act on your vision, or do you just dream about it?
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Are you relying on passion, or are you disciplined enough to follow through when the excitement fades?
The answers to these questions will determine whether you’re content with being good or whether you’re ready to step into greatness.
In a world where many are satisfied with “good enough,” great leaders stand out. They’re the ones who create lasting impact, inspire bold action, and build a legacy that outlives them. So, the real question is: Are you ready to be one of them?
And that’s a wrap! I hope this article was valuable to you. For more empowering content, psychological insights, and personal growth strategies, you can find me over on Instagram and continue your leadership and personal transformation. Click here and come say hi, @expandwithjade
