Associate Dean Natalie Gochnour took time to stop by the dean’s leadership class today to discuss how her leadership style has developed throughout her career. Gochnour describes her passion and bailiwick as working within public policy and maximizing the “productive middle” as she tells the students.

Throughout her experiences, Gochnour has developed these 10 lessons which are evident in top leaders across all industries:

1. Unify.  History has shown us impactful leaders such as Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. who have had the ability to unify people behind a singular vision to create long-term change. When you are in a leadership role it’s imperative to create a sense of belonging, vision, and understanding for constituents to rally around.
2. Passion.  At times throughout your career there will be obstacles which make it seem impossible to reach your ultimate goal. During those times, dig deep to find your inner-drive to fuel your continued efforts.
3. Communication.  Gochnour says, “Great leaders communicate well.”  She herself uses two methods to ensure effective communication. The first is a 50/50 rule.  In any endeavor use 50% of your resources and energy towards communication and 50% in research and analytics. “If you cannot communicate it well, it’s probably not a good policy or idea” Gochnour explains. The next method she holds to is the 8 ½ x 11 method.  “If you cannot fit something on one page, you don’t understand it enough to communicate it clearly.” Be precise and choose your words effectively.
4. Humility, Kindness, Goodwill.  Focus your energy on doing the right thing in each decision you are faced with as a leader. Gochnour described the difficulty of creating a bridge at City Creek Center as the new development was being built. For numerous reasons, the bridge was being opposed, and for equal reasons the bridge was being advocated for. Together with a city official, Gochnour worked to find the best solution to satisfy the most crucial points of both sides of the argument.
5. Be Hearty.  Gochnour talked with the class about Seth Godin’s book The Dip in which he helps leaders understand how putting in the long-term effort will yield great rewards and help you  recognize when you might be on the wrong path. Gochnour advises students to be flexible and patient while putting in the hard work needed to achieve goals; and to be authentic to one’s self to determine if they’re indeed in the right place.
6. Collaborate. Leaders know how to collaborate successfully. Working together will ensure the best policy and practice is instituted going forward.
7. Diversity. “I’ve come to realize when the room is filled with people just like you, not much thinking happens”, Gochnour tells the class. Different viewpoints bring richness necessary to strengthen leadership.
8. Productive Middle. The best leaders take the best ideas from both sides to create a middle ground to get things done. Recognize the extreme sides are problematic, but listen to each side and take the best parts to develop and build on strategic visions.
9. Bless and release.  “When you feel you’ve been wronged, digest it and let it go.” Harboring bad feelings get in the way of leadership and cloud your judgment for future decisions.
10. Be gracious. Gochnour ended her time with this simple and poignant advice, “Being a gracious leader makes everything better and makes you a better leader.”

You can read insights from Natalie Gochnour once a month in Utah Business and the Deseret News.