Never get on the power trip. Never think that your position makes you more important. Your position and role is to serve everyone else. You provide direction and you provide assistance in getting the job done.
You can’t do your employee’s jobs for them, but as the go-to person you can make sure that the daily operations are actually contributing to big picture goals. If you’re a Pointy-Haired Boss, you’re not the go-to person. You’re kept out of the loop, employees deceive you rather than discuss with you, and a lack of company cohesion means more problems and more time involved in attaining those big picture goals.
This is contrary to what we typically think of as leadership, but it's true that the higher you get the more you serve the needs of the people working for you. They are the ones grinding through the work and it's your job to help them do that. Sometimes approaching things backwards makes the most sense.
For example, during my annual review I used to always start by listing my strengths and then brainstorming examples from the year to back them up. It made the whole process difficult and painful. Then I figured out that doing it backwards was easier. Simply make a list (or keep an ongoing one) of everything you've done during the year. Then, for each item, write down what skills that item required. Suddenly you've got a good list of your strengths and supporting examples of them.
Sometimes things feel "backwards" like the quote above about being a good leader, but approaching them in this way can be helpful.
How to lead people for results - Lifehack.org
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