Becoming a good leader means leading yourself first

The best leaders know that no one will follow them unless they are leading themselves by constantly working on their weaknesses, clarifying their values, setting goals and charting a path to achieve them despite obstacles, writes Stedman Graham, CEO of S. Graham and Associates. "The continuous journey of self-actualization can become a never-ending development process. That's why it is so important to build in time for ourselves to become more productive and contribute more to ourselves and others," Graham writes.

Put it into practice: The process of success is the same for everyone, Graham writes, noting that we all make mistakes along the way, and leadership means picking yourself up and trying again until you succeed. "No matter if you are a CEO, business owner, executive employee, or volunteer worker, we all have the opportunity to improve our lives and build more value in our personal and professional development."

Colleagues' confusion about your intentions due to different interpretations of a word like "strategic," for example, put a dent in performance. Ensure that others understand your views and vision by being specific on terms and definitions, as well as looking for alignments and conflict, writes Robyn McLeod of Chatsworth Consulting Group.

Put it into practice: Pay attention to body language for clues you're on different pages. Don't skimp on the time needed to convey your message clearly, and don't let discomfort keep you from a shared understanding, McLeod writes.

Deeming topics off-limits to avoid short-term conflict or discomfort can create a "false consensus" that leads to incomplete or incorrect team views, writes executive coach Dina Denham Smith, who offers tips for talking about things you don't want to. Ignoring them can stifle a team's morale, performance and ability to solve problems and learn -- as well as company earnings, Denham Smith notes.

Put it into practice: No matter how connected the colleagues, it's naive to assume your team members always tell you what they think, so you need to encourage them to open up, and revamped one-on-ones might help, Denham Smith writes. Among the other suggestions: Share intentions but don't mask the reality, and learn to respond to challenging reactions without being negative or harsh.

When building a sandwich, keep healthful tips in mind as well as deliciousness, says registered dietitian Anna Taylor. Generally, opt for whole-grain breads or wraps; toast, don't grill since grilling tends to add saturated fat; select low-fat condiments like mustard, vinegar or hummus; opt for lean proteins like turkey or tofu over heavily processed deli meats; and watch portion size, Taylor says.

Theories abound about why cat owners cannot spend time in the bathroom without their feline companions, including the notion that the cat may be guarding its territory, especially if it is given to lying in the cool tub when its human isn't using it. Or, cats could simply like the humidity given off by a shower, the fuzzy bathmat to lie on or the fact that its owner is still for a while and is creating a lap for them.

Brenda G. sent in this beautiful photo from Fajardo, on the east coast of Puerto Rico. Brenda says "the property will soon host an 18-hole championship golf course."

What beautiful place have you spent time in recently? Send me some photos to share!

A study of futurists from TATA Consultancy Services shows that 90% are optimistic about forthcoming AI changes, and 72% envision significant contributions to employee well-being. What does this mean for job loss? Remote work? Get TATA futurist Bill Quinn's insights about work experience transformations -- from potentially shorter workweeks to who owns AI's work -- and participate in an audience Q&A during SmartBrief's April 18 "AI Redefining the Work Experience " webinar. Register now for the free event.

I have three cats and one dog. I am never alone in the bathroom.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

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