What Do Great Leaders Have in Common?

A message from Steve... 

I was in a meeting recently with a Field Coordinator for a Major League Baseball team, aligning on themes and learning objectives for an upcoming Game On session with coaches and staff. As I was wrapping up the meeting with this bright and intuitive leader, he asked me a question that got my wheels turning: 

“In the 30 years you’ve been doing this work with Game On, what characteristics do the best leaders have in common?” 

It’s one of those questions that feels simple, but it isn’t. 

In my follow-up email, I tried to capture the answer I shared with him, on the fly, while my wheels were still spinning. I’ll try to do the same here, because for leaders, coaches, teachers, and presenters, this is a powerful exercise: Think about the most impactful leaders in your life. What did they consistently model? 

Here’s what I’ve experienced and seen on this thirty-year Game On journey. 

1. Great leaders are authentically... CURIOUS 

The best leaders I know are lifelong learners. They ask thoughtful, intentional questions. They don’t ask to impress, they ask to understand. Their curiosity isn’t performative, it’s personal. 

They’re curious about people, about process, and about how to get better. They listen deeply, stay open, and they are willing to challenge their own assumptions. And because they model curiosity, they create environments where others feel safe doing the same. Curiosity fuels growth, and growth fuels trust

2. Great leaders are ridiculously... CONSISTENT 

Great leaders simplify. They are able to simply their message, their behaviors, and their overall routine. And in so doing, they are able to run that play on the daily. 

They don’t reinvent themselves every week. They don’t allow emotion or circumstance to dramatically shift the tone of their leadership. They show up with clarity and predictability, and their teams know what they stand for and what to expect. Consistency builds credibility, lowers anxiety, and creates stability. 

The best leaders don’t just say the right things once. They repeat, reinforce, and role-model the right things over time. 

3. Great leaders are able to get people to... CARE 

The most impactful leaders communicate in a way that makes people feel valuable. Whether it’s one-on-one, in a small group, or in a packed arena, their audience feels that the leader genuinely cares. And then they can deliver the message in a way that sticks. 

They balance the Care factor with the Remember component. They don’t overplay emotion, and they don’t underplay clarity. They simply, authentically, and intentionally connect, and when they do, the message sticks. People leave their presence not just feeling good but thinking differently. Care earns attention, and memorability drives action. 

Now here’s where this becomes practical for me, and I hope these tie-backs can also help you. 

Tie-Back #1: Curiosity Before Authority: Before your next meeting, practice leading with one thoughtful question instead of one directive. Watch what it unlocks. 

Tie-Back #2: Consistency Builds Culture: Ask yourself what play am I running every day? If your team described your leadership in one sentence, would it sound the same week to week? 

Tie-Back #3: Care + Clarity = Impact: In your next meeting or presentation, be intentional. Think about a practical way you can show your team you care. And what’s the one thing you want them to remember? 

Thirty years in, and I’m still learning. But what I do know is the leaders who have left a positive impact on me tend to share these traits: they stay curious, they stay consistent, and they make people care enough to remember the message, the impact, and the genuine connection. 

Best Practices On. 

Leadership On.

Game On.