Making Personal Changes Is Not Easy. You can use several proven steps to assist you to become an empathetic leader. First, you must acknowledge your current attitudes before you can change them. People with strong self-awareness understand emotions, strengths, limitations, values, and motives at a deep level. They are honest with themselves and about themselves. They know the direction they want their life to take and why.

Second, to make personal changes you must practice the new actions and thoughts you want to develop. To be more successful, you must practice skills and attitudes that will further your success. As you practice building empathy and the other skills you need to become significant in others’ lives, you must track your new skills. You must hold yourself accountable so you stay on target and make progress toward your goals.

Third, use a coach or mentor. At the times when you get cranky, a trusted friend, colleague or coach can give you an unbiased perspective. By helping you through rough times, they help you stay focused on your goal. The effective leader develops an organization where people want to work and want to do their best. At the same time, the leader does not sacrifice performance.

Every great leader understands that building the strengths of team members helps boost overall performance. Gaining personal success through helping others is timeless. William Shakespeare said, “The more I give to thee, the more I have.” And to quote Ralph Waldo Emerson, “A man cannot help another without helping himself even more.” To become an extraordinary leader and develop sustainable success, become significant. Make an indelible impact on the lives of others.