As a Christian, I was raised on the Ten Commandments, and I’ve always seen them as a solid foundation for good living – no matter what your faith or belief system may be.

But recently, I came across an intriguing twist in Chip Conley’s book Learning to Love Midlife. Conley points out that the Ten Commandments are mostly a list of Don’ts -things to avoid. But what if we flipped the script and created a list of Dos? What if we committed to a personal code of action for how we want to live?

That got me thinking: What if we had Ten Leadership Commitments? A list of things we choose to do as leaders – not just rules to follow, but intentional ways to show up for ourselves and our teams.

Now, my list is by no means the be-all and end-all. Consider this your leadership appetizer – a few prompts to jumpstart your thinking.

My 10 Leadership Commitments

1. Invest in yourself. YOU are your greatest asset. Take care of your physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional well-being. Surround yourself with like-hearted leaders who challenge and support you. If you’re running on empty, you’re no good to anyone.
2. Care as much about your team’s well-being as you do about their productivity. Because if your people are burned out, disengaged, or dreading Mondays, you won’t be getting their best work anyway.
3. Do something today that your future self will thank you for. Think ahead, play the long game, and quit making decisions that will come back to bite you.
4. Build trust – starting with a zero-tolerance policy for gossip. As Stephen Covey said, “Be loyal to those not present.” If you’re talking about your team behind their back, trust me – they know. And they’re wondering what you say when they’re not in the room. Be clear and direct that you will not tolerate gossip. Period. And then walk your talk.
5. Make collaboration your love language. Ask for input. Encourage debate. Normalize asking for help. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about creating a space where the best ideas can thrive.
6. Set a clear vision. Paint a picture of success that your team can actually see. Be specific. If they don’t know where you’re going, don’t be surprised when they don’t follow. Clue them in to how they contribute to that vision.
7. Delegate early and often. For the love of all things holy, stop trying to carry the world on your shoulders. No one likes a martyr. Let your team step up – trust me, they want to.
8. Encourage ownership. Make it everyone’s job to take responsibility for outcomes, not just tasks. When people feel a sense of ownership, they step up in ways you never imagined.
9. Invest in your team’s growth. I’m reminded of the CEO who hesitated to approve a training budget, asking, “But what if we develop them and they leave?” To which someone wisely replied, “Ah, but what if we don’t develop them and they stay?” Always, always bet on learning and growth.
10. Celebrate wins. Acknowledge effort, progress, and results. Break out the king cake, pop the confetti, and lighten up the atmosphere. A team that feels appreciated will always outperform one that doesn’t.

At the end of the day, leadership isn’t your title – it’s how you show up. Commit to being the best version of yourself, and your team won’t just follow – they’ll be inspired to do the same.

Now, your turn! What would be on your list of 10 Leadership Commitments? Hit reply and let me know – I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And if you’d like a guide on the side to help re-energize you or your team, let’s talk! Go to JenniferLedet.com and schedule your complimentary discovery call with me today.

Through facilitated leadership team retreats, customized training programs, coaching, and keynote presentations with a hint of Cajun flavor, Jennifer Ledet, CSP,  provides leaders with tools to help them be more intentional and live and lead by choice, not by chance.