The #1 Thing to Do to be a Successful Leader

Today, cnbc posted an article by Adam Bryant on SoulCycle's CEO and what she believes women need to do to be successful. While her advice for women is nice, it isn't critical and it doesn't apply to all women. But her advice for all people IS crucial and should be followed by anyone who wants to be seen as a leader.

The advice she gives is something EVERYONE should follow at any stage of their career growth. And she got that advice from one of her professors: "One of my professors taught me to always have my answers," she said.

Source: SoulCycle

Melanie Whelan, CEO of SoulCycle.

"One of my professors taught me to always have my answers," she said.

Here is the main point: You need to be prepared for all situations and questions BEFORE going into a meeting. Because being prepared and having a point of view will make conversations easier.

Getty Images

(L-R) SoulCycle Co-Founder Julie Rice, instructors Charlee Akins and Marvin Foster, CEO Melanie Whelan, instructor Emily Turner, and Co-Founder Elizabeth Cutler attend the SoulCycle x Target Launch Event on January 14, 2016 in New York City.

"Be really clear about what you want to get out of the conversation that you're having, and make sure that you own that narrative," she said.

"Have your information, have your facts, have your numbers, have your point of view, so that if you get derailed in the conversation — if there's a dynamic that maybe isn't working to your advantage — you come back to, 'What is my intention and what do I need out of this group?'" She added: "No matter whether it's a gender bias or some other unconscious bias in the room, it's your responsibility as a leader to try to guide that conversation as much as possible."

This is probably one of the best pieces of advice for anyone looking to step into leadership roles or looking to become more effective leaders. Be prepared. Know the outcome you want. Control the narrative.

This does not mean to be a bully or to talk over other people. This means you have the facts and information necessary to back up your perspectives and opinions. This means you understand each person's motives and what drives them so you can help them see your point of view.

This means you develop a critical skill - listening to other people's opinions, valuing their opinions and still being able to guide the conversation.

To effectively do this, you need to be engaged with your team and interacting with them constantly. You should not be surprised by their opinions. You should be having ongoing conversations that you already know where they stand.

This is the BEST advice for anyone trying to establish themselves s a leader or trying to become a better leader.

Her advice for women only applies to those women looking to reach the C-suite - "Having the accountability of driving profitability for a business really enabled me to think critically, to build a team," she said. "My experience of getting closer to the P&L really pivoted my career, and I try to give women that counsel." Not every job has P&L responsibility and not every woman wants it. But if you are looking to climb the ladder - men or women - having P&L responsibility will do more to boost your career than back-office or support roles.

Whelan concludes that she is a big believer "in impact". Impact can happen many ways in your career or even your current role. Right now, you can have impact in every meeting you attend, by being prepared and by having and knowing your voice. That will help you get ahead - and maybe (like Whelan suggests) get P&L responsibility.

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