Winning leaders are accessible and authentic. That formula for leadership success has not changed in 25 years. Here are some examples and steps you can take to step up your leadership game.

For 25 years, we asked lots of clients and colleagues questions about their experiences with strategy execution (what we call "adherence"), including this one: What is the most critical action a senior leader can take to improve consistent adherence to a plan?

We repeatedly received the same answer: Be accessible and be yourself.

The more we lead, the more we work with leaders, and the more we parent, the more we see compelling parallels between leadership and parenting.

Leaders are parents, and parents are leaders. They are in different settings with parallel roles.

Here is an excerpt from a poem by Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D. titled, "Children Learn What They Live."

As you read it below, replace the word children, with employees, and the connection between parenting and leadership is abundantly clear.

A great leader is a great coach.

For years, we have asked clients who the best leader they ever had was. Predictably responses include that "My best leader...

• pushed me
• believed in me
• helped me realize my potential
• invested time in developing me."

In other words, these really good leaders were really great coaches. They also realize that a leader is only as successful as his/her team, so the goal is to equip his/her team for success.