In today’s episode, I’m asking you a question, and that question is, can great leaders be gentle?

If you make a list of adjectives to describe great leaders, gentle probably isn’t on that list. I mean, when you think of the word gentle, what do you think of? Do you think of things like soft or mellow or mild? And are those what you might necessarily think of as desirable leadership traits?

Recently, I heard this definition of gentleness from Pastor Matt Hessel. He said Gentleness is strength under control. And when he said that, I had to immediately write it down. I love that gentleness is strength.

As a leader, we have strength, positional strength and power. And we are more effective when we are under control. So does that definition, Gentleness is strength under control, change your thinking? Well, let me give you a couple of examples.

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In This Episode...

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Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent over 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.

Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference. The American Management Association named him a “Leaders to Watch” and he has been twice named as one of the World's Top 30 Leadership Professionals by Global Gurus. Top Sales World has named him a Top Sales & Marketing Influencer several times, and his blog has been named on many “best of” lists. LeadersHum has named him one of the 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023.

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