In a recent Inc. Magazine article, leadership expert Marcel Schwantes breaks down three simple yet powerful habits that distinguish successful leaders from the rest — and they might surprise you.
🌟 Here are the 3 habits every leader should master:
🔹 👂 Listen First, Talk Last Great leaders listen to understand — not to respond. They seek diverse perspectives before sharing their own opinions, creating space for innovative ideas.
🔹 ❓ Ask Better Questions Instead of jumping in with quick fixes, they ask thoughtful questions that spark creativity and empower their teams to find solutions together.
🔹 ✅ Take Accountability Owning mistakes — both theirs and their team’s — builds trust and psychological safety. It encourages teams to take risks and grow without fear of blame.
💡 Why this matters for small business owners and entrepreneurs: Whether you’re leading a small team or an entire company, practicing these habits can fuel collaboration, trust, and growth — all critical for long-term success.
Check out the full article here:
Question for you: Which of these leadership habits do you want to strengthen this year? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

