When I look back to my first job over 25 years ago, it was with the leading provider of point-of-sale and hotel management technology systems. I started on the front line as a consultant, but moved up quickly into a mid-middle management role with access to the CEO of the company. What I experienced back then was a firsthand view into him as a transformational leader, and saw his daily relentless passion for continuous improvement and customer satisfaction, across every aspect of the business. This exposure created a mindset for me that I hold onto today, and one that I have brought to every role I have been in since then. I have also had a chance to work for several other CEOs since then, many of which brought their own unique approach as transformational leaders. My CEO back then was inspirational to work for, and what he stood for drove the company to be an innovative global leader. When I think today about what transformational leadership means to me it comes down to 8 key traits, with each just as important as the other. I do my best to follow each of these every day:

1. Be visionary: Create a clear and compelling vision that is shared with every team member, and that resonates with partners and customers.
2. Be inspirational: Develop a strong sense of team purpose, and surround yourself with people that are motivated to exceed expectations.
3. Be adaptable and innovative: Stay aware of what is happening around you, and do not be afraid to change the things you are currently doing.
4. Be trusted: Articulate your core values, and be fully transparent in how you will hold yourself to the same bar that you are setting others to meet.
5. Be proactive: Tackle actions and decisions head on, as others on the team need to see problems and risks being handled effectively.
6. Be collaborative: Create a culture and environment in which individuals are encouraged to openly express their feelings, thoughts and opinions.
7. Be self-aware: Know your strengths and weaknesses, and surround yourself with leaders that complement your skills so the team overall is stronger.
8. Be empathetic: Be emotionally intelligent, especially in our post-COVID work life, while still driving home the importance of ownership and accountability.