Most of what makes a great manager is not rocket science - but it is discipline.
I see this pattern repeatedly in teams we work with: technically brilliant and highly motivated, yet constantly missing deadlines.
I saw this clearly with one team in particular. At first, it seemed like a skills issue. But the real challenges were simpler - unclear roles, delayed decisions, and weekly check-ins that kept slipping.
Once the manager committed to one 30-minute weekly check-in and clarified ownership for each project, productivity and morale soared.
As we settle into 2026 and the final stretch of the financial year in South Africa, it’s a good time to remember that leadership impact often comes from getting the basics right, and repeating them over time.
At LeadMe Academy, we think of these as the pillars of leadership, what we call the Leadership Operating Rhythm. Like the foundation of a house, everything else builds on top of it. When this rhythm breaks down, performance, engagement, and accountability usually follow.
The Leadership Operating Rhythm
Built on five pillars, these are not “soft skills” - they are the everyday leadership behaviours and habits that make work work.
1. Consistency & Cadence
Predictable rhythms build trust and keep priorities alive.
Example: Protect a 30-minute weekly team check-in, even when things get busy, because presence creates stability.
Predictable rhythms build trust and keep priorities alive.
Example: Protect a 30-minute weekly team check-in, even when things get busy, because presence creates stability.
2. Clarity
Clear expectations remove friction and reduce rework.
Example: Before a project starts, define who owns what and when decisions need to be made.
3. Alignment
Listening and communicating keeps everyone moving in the same direction.
Example: In a meeting, notice mixed signals and ask, “What is everyone hearing as the priority?” to realign the group.
Example: In a meeting, notice mixed signals and ask, “What is everyone hearing as the priority?” to realign the group.
4. Feedback Small, regular feedback prevents minor issues from becoming major problems. Example: After a presentation, share one thing that worked well and one small tweak, rather than saving it all for a formal review.
5. Expectations
Unspoken expectations create frustration. Clarity builds accountability.
Example: Agree upfront on response times, boundaries, and ways of working.
Example: Agree upfront on response times, boundaries, and ways of working.
Why these matter now
Even the best managers can let these habits slip. Ask yourself:
- How often do check-ins get cancelled when they are needed most?
- How often do assumptions replace clarity?
- How often do expectations go unspoken?
Small improvements here compound over time. That is why at LeadMe, we focus on helping leaders embed these habits, not through theory, but through practice, reflection, and rhythm.
Your first move
Your first move
If you had to focus on just one of the five pillars right now:
- Which would make the biggest difference for your leaders?
- What is the first small step you could take today to strengthen it?
Leadership is not about perfection. It is about showing up consistently, especially when things get busy.
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Onward and upward,
Creating leaders at every level.
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