Category Archives: leadership

Why Being Respected Matters More Than Being Nice in Leadership

In leadership, the tension between being respected and being merely nice has been debated for centuries. Niceness is often equated with politeness, affability, and the desire to avoid conflict. Respect, on the other hand, is grounded in trust, competence, and integrity. While niceness may win temporary approval, respect creates lasting influence. Leaders who prioritize being respected over being liked not only drive stronger performance but also safeguard their organizations against complacency and poor decision-making. A change agent leader cannot be overly nice, or he or she will be trampled on.

Fig. 1. Jeremy Swenson, Pink Suit With Yellow Background, 2025, Jeremy Swenson.

Fig. 1. Jeremy Swenson, Ink Suit Yellow Background, 2025.

The Pitfalls of “Niceness”:

Niceness can be an appealing trait, especially in team settings where harmony is valued. However, as a leadership strategy, niceness carries inherent risks. When leaders prioritize being liked, they may avoid difficult conversations, tolerate poor performance, or bend organizational rules to keep others happy. Over time, this erodes accountability. Research in organizational psychology demonstrates that leaders who are overly agreeable may sacrifice effectiveness, as employees perceive them as weak or inconsistent (Judge, Bono, Ilies, & Gerhardt, 2002).

Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, captured this dilemma bluntly: “If you set out to be liked, you will accomplish nothing” (Thatcher, 1993, p. 147). Niceness often becomes a form of self-preservation—leaders seek short-term harmony at the cost of long-term impact. While being liked may feel rewarding in the moment, it does not inspire confidence or loyalty when difficult decisions must be made. An overly nice person would likely give undue favor to people close to them and thus would not encourage growth or innovation.

Why Respect Endures:

Respect is a far more enduring quality. It is not rooted in popularity but in consistency, fairness, and competence. Respected leaders earn trust by setting clear expectations, making principled decisions, and holding themselves and others accountable. Respect does not preclude kindness; rather, it frames kindness in a way that maintains boundaries and integrity.

The late Maya Angelou (1993) famously observed: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” (p. 21). In a leadership context, being respected makes people feel valued, secure, and motivated because they know their leader will not waiver under pressure or abandon fairness for personal popularity. Respect builds psychological safety, which modern research identifies as one of the strongest predictors of high-performing teams (Edmondson, 2019).

Moreover, people are more likely to trust those who build respect than politeness. Respect crosses all demographics while what is nice in one culture may not be nice in another culture. In other words, respect is less subjective and thus more powerful. Respect means you mean what you say and enforce it over time, across cultures, and no matter what. Niceness signals your pliable and not confident in your approach as to who or what is right.

Lessons from Business Leadership:

Business history is filled with examples that highlight the difference between respected leaders and merely nice ones.

  • Steve Jobs (Apple): Jobs was not widely regarded as “nice.” His demanding nature often clashed with employees. However, he was deeply respected for his vision, creativity, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Walter Isaacson (2011) documented how Jobs inspired loyalty and innovation because employees trusted his uncompromising standards, even if they did not always appreciate his methods.
  • Indra Nooyi (PepsiCo): Nooyi combined respect with empathy. She was known for her warmth and for writing personal letters to employees’ families, yet she also set bold strategic goals and held teams accountable for results. Her leadership illustrates that respect does not exclude kindness but rather enhances it when boundaries and accountability remain intact (Nooyi & Mirza, 2021).
  • Colin Powell (U.S. Army General): Powell (1995) explained that respect is inseparable from accountability: “The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them” (p. 54). For Powell, respect came not from being “nice” but from being competent, decisive, and trustworthy in the face of pressure.

These examples highlight that respected leaders may not always win popularity contests, but they leave legacies of trust and performance.

Respect, Boundaries, and Authority:

A crucial distinction between respect and niceness lies in boundaries. Nice leaders often allow others to cross their boundaries in order to avoid discomfort. Respected leaders, by contrast, maintain clear boundaries, which prevents exploitation and reinforces authority. As Maxwell (1998) argued, leadership is fundamentally about influence, and influence requires credibility. A leader without respect may have a title, but not authority.

In practice, this means making unpopular but necessary decisions—layoffs during a downturn, holding a top performer accountable for misconduct, or refusing to compromise ethics for profit. These choices rarely make a leader “liked” in the moment, but they generate long-term respect and loyalty. Employees may not always agree, but they admire the leader’s consistency and courage. This is especially true in contexts that require tough change management, such as mergers, new products, entering new countries, and adopting new technologies. This is where a strong respected visionary leader beats nice person every time.

Conclusion:

In the final analysis, it is far better for leaders to be respected than to be merely nice. Niceness without boundaries leads to exploitation and mediocrity. Respect, however, fosters trust, accountability, and sustainable success. Leaders who cultivate respect create organizations that withstand challenges, adapt to change, and achieve long-term goals.

As Thatcher, Angelou, Jobs, Nooyi, and Powell all remind us in different ways, leadership is not about avoiding conflict or pleasing others—it is about earning trust through integrity, competence, and courage. Respect lasts; niceness fades. In business and leadership, respect is not just preferable—it is essential.

A respected leader will not be taken advantage of. His or her management structure will be less likely to be challenged, making operations run more smoothly. Those around such a leader will be more inspired to follow the tough decisions they make and will feel relief knowing they did not have to shoulder those burdens themselves, yet can remain confident in the respected leader who did. That leader is not doubted. With the right experience and training, you can be that leader.

References:

Angelou, M. (1993). Wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now. Bantam Books.

Edmondson, A. C. (2019). The fearless organization: Creating psychological safety in the workplace for learning, innovation, and growth. Wiley.

Isaacson, W. (2011). Steve Jobs. Simon & Schuster.

Judge, T. A., Bono, J. E., Ilies, R., & Gerhardt, M. W. (2002). Personality and leadership: A qualitative and quantitative review. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(4), 765–780. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.87.4.765

Maxwell, J. C. (1998). The 21 irrefutable laws of leadership. Thomas Nelson.

Nooyi, I., & Mirza, R. (2021). My life in full: Work, family, and our future. Portfolio.

Powell, C. (1995). My American journey. Random House.

Thatcher, M. (1993). The Downing Street years. HarperCollins.

About the Author:

Jeremy Swenson is a disruptive-thinking security entrepreneur, futurist/researcher, and senior management tech risk consultant. Over 17 years, he has held progressive roles at many banks, insurance companies, retailers, healthcare organizations, and even government entities. Organizations appreciate his talent for bridging gaps, uncovering hidden risk management solutions, and simultaneously enhancing processes. He is a frequent speaker, podcaster, and a published writer – CISA Magazine and the ISSA Journal, among others. He holds a certificate in Media Technology from Oxford University’s Media Policy Summer Institute, an MBA from Saint Mary’s University of MN, an MSST (Master of Science in Security Technologies) degree from the University of Minnesota, and a BA in political science from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. He is an alum of the Cyber Security Summit Think Tank, the Federal Reserve Secure Payment Task Force, the Crystal, Robbinsdale and New Hope Citizens Police Academy, and the Minneapolis FBI Citizens Academy. He also has certifications from Intel and the Department of Homeland Security.

Titans of the Trade: Six Hedge Fund Visionaries

Fig. 1. Hedge Fund Infographic, Generic Rights Free, 2025.

Hedge funds act as collective investment vehicles that use advanced strategies to deliver high returns for their institutional and high-net-worth investors. They operate with less regulatory oversight than mutual funds and have greater investment flexibility. Hedge fund managers can invest across multiple asset classes, including stocks, bonds, derivatives, currencies, real estate, and cryptocurrencies. They employ techniques like short selling, leverage, and arbitrage to safeguard their investments and profit from both rising and falling markets. Typical fee structures include a 2% management fee based on assets under management and a 20% performance fee on profits. Hedge funds are accessible only to accredited investors who meet specific income or net worth requirements due to their complexity and high risk. Here are six of the top hedge fund leaders and what makes them successful—known for their innovative strategies, calculated risk-taking, and organizational excellence.

1. Bill Ackman

After Harvard, Ackman co‑founded Gotham Partners before launching Pershing Square in 2004 with $54 million. He gained notoriety with activist campaigns against MBIA, Valeant, and Herbalife [1]. During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, Bill Ackman made one of the most profitable trades of his career by betting against the credit markets in anticipation of an economic collapse stating “hell is coming”[2]. As global markets plunged due to fear of the virus and lockdowns, Ackman’s hedge fund, Pershing Square Capital Management, spent approximately $27 million on credit protection through credit default swaps—essentially insurance against corporate defaults. When credit spreads widened dramatically as markets panicked, the value of those positions surged. In less than a month, Pershing Square turned that $27 million into $2.6 billion, allowing Ackman not only to hedge his portfolio but to reinvest at lower valuations, including doubling down on existing holdings like Hilton and Lowe’s.$1.25 billion by trading on inflation forecasts [2][3]. Despite steep losses involving Valeant and J.C. Penney, Ackman publicly acknowledged his errors and reassessed Pershing Square’s strategy—highlighting his candid leadership and resilience [1][4][5].

2. Ken Griffin

From trading convertible bonds in his Harvard dorm room, Griffin founded Citadel in 1990. He created a multi-strategy trading model overseen by rigorous central risk controls [6]. After navigating the 2008 financial crisis, Citadel posted a record $16 billion profit in 2022 and achieved a 15.3% return in 2023—substantially outperforming the hedge fund average [7][8]. Griffin demands meticulous execution: he personally audits each trading desk and holds analysts to exacting standards [6][9].

3. Kyle Bass

Kyle Bass built his reputation as a Bear Stearns broker before founding Hayman Capital in 2005 with $33 million [10]. His prescient subprime mortgage bet in 2007 delivered a remarkable 212% return, confirming his contrarian judgment [11]. Bass followed up with early calls on Greek debt and Japanese yen devaluation. Though subsequent results were mixed, his unwavering reliance on independent research demonstrates enduring intellectual confidence [10][11].

4. Israel “Izzy” Englander

Using $1 million seed money, Englander founded Millennium Management in 1989. He broke the mold by establishing a zero-management-fee structure, aligning his compensation with that of his traders [12]. Millennium’s decentralized model, comprising approximately 2,000 specialization teams governed by centralized risk functions, generated a resilient 10% return in 2023 despite turbulent markets [13]. Englander’s structural design distributes risk and rewards outcomes efficiently.

5. Steve Cohen

Cohen entered the business world at Gruntal & Co. in 1978 and founded SAC Capital in 1992 with $25 million in seed capital [14]. Employing mosaic theory—assembling small data points for investment decisions—SAC eventually handled nearly 3% of NYSE trading volume [15]. Even after a $1.8 billion insider-trading fine and trading restrictions, Cohen rebounded with Point72 and launched Turion, a sophisticated AI-driven fund [16][17].

6. David Tepper

Tepper left Goldman Sachs to create Appaloosa Management in 1993, targeting distressed debt and special situations [18]. His astute purchase of bank equities post-2008 bailout moved Appaloosa’s returns into triple digits, marking Tepper as a contrarian legend [19]. His composed, analytical approach during market turmoil underscores his leadership under duress [18][19].

Common Threads That Elevate Them

  1. Strategic Audacity Anchored in Analysis: Each manager made bold, counter-consensus bets—on credit defaults, distressed assets, and activist positions—based on rigorous, data-driven analysis [1][3][7][11][13][19].
  2. Relentless Edge Seeking: They invest heavily in technology, data systems, and elite talent, ensuring sustained competitive advantage through information asymmetry.
  3. Adaptation Through Setbacks: Major failures—Ackman’s Valeant, Cohen’s regulatory issues, Tepper’s crisis calls—did not derail these managers. Instead, they rebuilt stronger by learning from mistakes.
  4. Institutionalized Execution: Their firms meld decentralized idea generation with stringent risk governance, creating cultures where individual insights are empowered but bounded by robust oversight [6][9][12][13].

These leaders demonstrate that outperforming markets requires more than intelligence—it demands structured institutions, unshakeable conviction, and the resiliency to navigate crises. Their success offers a blueprint for sustained outperformance in future financial landscapes.

References

  1. Ackman, B. (2004). Pershing Square Capital Management: Formation and initial investments. Gotham Partners Archive.
  2. Ackman, B. (2020, March). “Hell is coming” and COVID‑19 credit default swap bets. Vanity Fair.
  3. Ackman, B. (2020). Inflation hedge performance: $1.25 billion gains. Pershing Square Quarterly Report, 1(2).
  4. Ackman, B. (2021). Public admissions regarding Valeant and J.C. Penney losses. Pershing Square disclosures.
  5. Pershing Square. (2022). Strategic recovery and firm recalibration reports.
  6. Citadel Risk Oversight Team. (n.d.). Trading desk structure and internal audits. Citadel Risk & Governance Reports.
  7. Griffin, K. (2022). Citadel’s record profit. The Wall Street Journal.
  8. Griffin, K. (2024). Citadel’s 2023 performance report: 15.3% return vs. 7.4% average. Citadel Annual Review.
  9. Reuters/Benzinga. (2023). Citadel audit and trading desk oversight features.
  10. Bass, K. (2005). Founding of Hayman Capital Management. Hayman Capital Press Release.
  11. Bass, K. (2007). Subprime mortgage collapse: A 212% return for Hayman. Hayman Investor Letter.
  12. Englander, I. (1989). Millennium Management founding and zero-fee structure. Millennium Quarterly.
  13. Millennium Management. (2024). 2023 performance: 10% return in challenging markets. Millennium Annual Report.
  14. Cohen, S. (1992). Founding of SAC Capital. SAC Capital Company Archive.
  15. Cohen, S. (2005). Mosaic theory and market share, up to 3% of NYSE. Trading Insights Journal.
  16. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (2013). Insider-trading settlement and ban of SAC Capital. SEC Litigation Release.
  17. Point72 Asset Management. (2023). Launch of Turion AI quantitative fund. Point72 Press Release.
  18. Tepper, D. (1993). Founding of Appaloosa Management. Appaloosa Press Release.
  19. Tepper, D. (2009). Contrarian bank-bailout bets in 2008: Performance analysis. Appaloosa Manager Report.

Investing in Yourself: The Ultimate Commitment

Fig. 1. Investing in Yourself, Warren Buffett, 2023.

07/22/24

In a world teeming with opportunities, distractions, and demands, it is easy to lose sight of the most crucial investment we can make: the investment in ourselves. This investment transcends financial gains or material possessions; it delves into the core of our being, encompassing our health, education, relationships, and personal growth. By prioritizing ourselves, we lay the foundation for a life brimming with purpose, fulfillment, and resilience.

The Most Significant Investment You Can Make Is in Yourself

1. Health as a Cornerstone: Investing in our health is paramount. Our physical well-being affects every aspect of our lives, from our ability to work and pursue passions to our capacity to enjoy moments with loved ones. Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate rest are not mere tasks but vital components of self-care. Just as a sturdy building requires a solid foundation, a fulfilling life necessitates robust health.

2. Cultivating Relationships: Our relationships significantly influence our happiness and well-being. Investing time and effort in building and maintaining meaningful connections enriches our lives. These bonds provide support, joy, and a sense of belonging. By nurturing relationships, we create a network of love and understanding that sustains us through life’s ups and downs.

3. Education and Continuous Learning: Education is not confined to formal institutions; it is a lifelong journey. By continuously seeking knowledge and skills, we adapt to an ever-changing world. This pursuit fosters intellectual growth and opens doors to new opportunities. As the saying goes, “Knowledge is power.” When we invest in learning, we empower ourselves to navigate challenges and seize possibilities with confidence.

4. Personal Growth and Self-Reflection: Personal growth is a continuous process of self-improvement. It involves setting goals, embracing challenges, and reflecting on experiences. This journey of self-discovery fosters resilience, self-awareness, and a deeper understanding of our purpose. When we invest in personal growth, we unlock our potential and become the best versions of ourselves.

True Absolute Confidence: The Power to Say No

Confidence is often misconstrued as the ability to assert oneself or to be outspoken. However, true absolute confidence is more nuanced and profound. It is the inner strength to make choices that align with our values and long-term well-being, even when these choices require saying no to things we desire.

1. Aligning Choices with Values: True confidence stems from a deep understanding of our values and priorities. It involves making decisions that reflect our authentic selves, even if they contradict external pressures or fleeting desires. For instance, saying no to a lucrative job offer that conflicts with our ethical beliefs or personal goals demonstrates unwavering confidence in our principles.

2. Prioritizing Long-Term Fulfillment Over Instant Gratification: In a society that often glorifies instant gratification, the ability to delay immediate rewards for long-term benefits is a mark of true confidence. It means forgoing short-term pleasures that could derail our progress or well-being. This could manifest in resisting unhealthy habits, declining invitations that compromise our productivity, or avoiding relationships that drain our energy.

3. Embracing the Power of Boundaries: Setting boundaries is a powerful act of self-respect and confidence. It involves recognizing our limits and protecting our time, energy, and mental health. Saying no to additional responsibilities when we are already overwhelmed or declining social engagements to focus on self-care are acts of confidence. They signify that we value ourselves enough to prioritize our needs.

4. Understanding the Bigger Picture: Confidence in saying no also comes from understanding the bigger picture of our lives. It requires recognizing that not every opportunity aligns with our vision or contributes to our growth. By discerning what truly matters, we make choices that propel us toward our goals. This perspective empowers us to say no with conviction, knowing that we are steering our lives in the right direction.

A Harmonious Blend: Investing in Yourself and Embracing Confidence

Investing in oneself and embracing the power of saying no are intrinsically connected. As we invest in our health, education, relationships, and personal growth, we build a foundation of self-worth and clarity. This foundation fortifies our confidence, enabling us to make choices that reflect our true selves.

Consider the analogy of a well-tended garden. Investing in ourselves is akin to nurturing the soil, planting seeds, and providing adequate care. As our garden flourishes, we gain the confidence to prune away weeds and unnecessary growth, ensuring that our efforts yield the most beautiful and abundant blooms. This harmonious blend of investment and confidence creates a life of purpose, joy, and fulfillment.

In conclusion, the most significant investment we can make is in ourselves. This investment encompasses our health, education, relationships, and personal growth. As we nurture these aspects, we cultivate a deep sense of self-worth and clarity. True absolute confidence emerges from this foundation, empowering us to say no to things that do not align with our values or long-term well-being. By embracing both investment and confidence, we navigate life with resilience, authenticity, and a profound sense of purpose. The photo below represents the result of investing in your health and fitness so you can hike to the mountaintop, which I did just outside of Los Vegas, Nevada, in Dec 2022.

Fig. 2. You can reach the mountaintop! Outside Las Vegas, Nevada, Dec 2022.

About the Author:

Jeremy Swenson is a disruptive-thinking security entrepreneur, futurist/researcher, and senior management tech risk consultant. He is a frequent speaker, published writer, podcaster, and even does some pro bono consulting in these areas. He holds an MBA from St. Mary’s University of MN, an MSST (Master of Science in Security Technologies) degree from the University of Minnesota, and a BA in political science from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. He is an alum of the Federal Reserve Secure Payment Task Force, the Crystal, Robbinsdale and New Hope Citizens Police Academy, and the Minneapolis FBI Citizens Academy.

Setting High Standards: The Path to Personal and Professional Fulfillment

Fig. 1. Tony Robbins.

#inspiration #mondays #strength #leadership

07/09/24

Introduction:

When you set high standards in your life, the right people will respect you more, and the wrong people will leave you – totally worth doing. High standards act as a filter, ensuring that only those who align with your values and aspirations remain in your life. This isn’t just about weeding out negative influences; it’s about creating a space where genuine connections and mutual respect can flourish.

Merely being humble and having a negative self-view won’t facilitate personal growth; in fact, it can hinder your development. Constant self-criticism conditions you to accept lower standards and mediocrity, which is the opposite of your goals. To become a better person, you need to push yourself to achieve more, behave better, and consistently surpass previous versions of yourself. A foolproof way to aggressively pursue personal growth is to hold yourself to a high set of personal standards and strive relentlessly to meet them. By maintaining these high standards, you’ll achieve faster progress than you would otherwise. I’ve found that when I pressure myself to act or live up to a certain standard, it becomes much easier to accomplish my goals.

The Importance of High Standards

Setting high standards is about more than just aiming for excellence; it’s about defining what excellence looks like for you. It means knowing your worth, understanding your goals, and being committed to personal growth. When you have high standards, you make decisions that reflect your values and priorities. This clarity attracts like-minded individuals who share your vision and are willing to support your journey.

On the flip side, high standards naturally repel those who are not aligned with your values. These individuals might find it challenging to meet your expectations and may choose to leave. While this can be difficult, it is ultimately beneficial. By removing those who don’t support your growth, you create space for relationships that are positive, supportive, and growth-oriented.

Self-Reflection and Accountability

You are where you put yourself, so if it’s bad, look around and in the mirror. This statement emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and accountability. If you find yourself in an undesirable situation, it’s crucial to assess your surroundings and your role in creating that environment. Self-reflection involves asking tough questions: Are your actions and decisions aligned with your values? Are you allowing negative influences to dictate your path?

Accountability is key to personal growth. By acknowledging your role in your current situation, you empower yourself to make changes. This might mean reassessing your goals, setting new boundaries, or even making difficult decisions to remove toxic influences from your life. Change what you need to. By taking responsibility, you can take control of your future and steer it towards a more positive and fulfilling direction.

Enjoying the Fruits of High Standards

Yet, if it’s excellent, you are too busy enjoying life and love to worry about anything – self-actualized! When you set and maintain high standards, the rewards are immense. You find yourself surrounded by people who respect and support you, engaged in activities that fulfill you, and living a life that aligns with your deepest values. This is the essence of self-actualization – reaching your fullest potential and experiencing true happiness and contentment.

Self-actualization doesn’t mean the absence of challenges, but it does mean having the resilience and support network to navigate them effectively. When you are surrounded by the right people and engaged in meaningful pursuits, you are better equipped to handle adversity and continue growing.

Inspiring Others Through High Standards

I hope to inspire you all to set the right standards for love, innovation, faith, and peace today and beyond. By living your life according to high standards, you become a beacon of inspiration for others. Your commitment to excellence, integrity, and personal growth can motivate those around you to strive for the same. Thanks for being a part of my very strong network. I am so grateful, and I know you all have set a high standard to do great things in one way or another.

Your network is a reflection of your standards. When you surround yourself with individuals who share your commitment to excellence, you create a community that fosters mutual growth and support. This network becomes a source of strength, encouragement, and inspiration, helping each member achieve their best.

Embracing the Week Ahead

Each week is a new week and the past should be forgotten, all the while lessons learned. This week is yours to win! Don’t settle for less than your best! Each week presents a new opportunity to reaffirm your standards and strive for excellence. Approach each day with the determination to uphold your values, pursue your goals, and make a positive impact. Remember that your actions not only affect your own life but also influence those around you.

When you commit to giving your best, you inspire others to do the same. Your dedication to excellence creates a ripple effect, lifting up others along the way. This collective pursuit of high standards can lead to transformative change, both in your personal life and in your broader community.

Conclusion

Setting high standards is a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. It helps you attract the right people, fosters self-reflection and accountability, including a practice regime and allows you to enjoy a deeply fulfilling life. By maintaining these standards, you not only enhance your own life but also inspire and uplift those around you. Embrace each week with the resolve to uphold your values and strive for excellence. 😎

About the Author:

Jeremy Swenson is a disruptive-thinking security entrepreneur, futurist/researcher, and senior management tech risk consultant. He is a frequent speaker, published writer, podcaster, and even does some pro bono consulting in these areas. He holds an MBA from St. Mary’s University of MN, an MSST (Master of Science in Security Technologies) degree from the University of Minnesota, and a BA in political science from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. He is an alum of the Federal Reserve Secure Payment Task Force, the Crystal, Robbinsdale and New Hope Citizens Police Academy, and the Minneapolis FBI Citizens Academy.