Steve Adubato’s Lessons in Leadership: Leadership Inventory

By Steve Adubato, PhD On May 14, 2025

On this edition of Lessons in Leadership, Steve Adubato and Mary Gamba talk with Monica Burnette, Vice President, Student Services, Seton Hall University, about college student mental health and the importance of a community care model where students, faculty and staff work together. Then, as part of the “Leaders in Law” series, Steve is joined by Pasquale F. Giannetta, Attorney at Law, Giannetta Law Firm, Trustee and Former President/Chairman, Columbian Foundation, about his passion for leadership and philanthropy and the Columbian Foundation, which provides scholarships for young adults attending law school.

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Too often, we get consumed with our day-to-day responsibilities and don’t make the time to take a “leadership inventory” of how we are communicating and connecting with others. Think about how many times you show up to work early to try to get some items out of the way, only to be consumed with meeting after meeting and before you know it, the day has gone and you barely had a moment to grab lunch, let alone the time to make a concerted effort to reflect on your professional interactions with those around you.

When we don’t press pause and reflect on the impact our leadership and communication approach is having on those around us, we can pay the price. With that in mind, consider some important questions:

• Are you listening? No, I mean, are you REALLY listening? To what degree are you making a conscious decision to focus, concentrate, and be in the moment when someone is talking to you? It is so easy to go through the motions, but when we do, it can have negative consequences. We miss important messages and nuance, and we communicate that we are just not that interested. Great listening is hard work, but it will pay huge dividends. Make a commitment to be a more engaged listener.
• How responsive are you in your communication? Do you let your e-mail sit there or wait to return a call for a few days or not at all? We communicate very clearly based on how and when we respond to those who are trying to connect with us. Of course, some business associates are more important than others, and certain issues are time sensitive, but too often by not responding in a timely and direct manner, we negatively impact our relationships, which often comes back to haunt us when we are the one reaching out.
• How receptive are you to feedback? Being receptive to feedback is critical for a leader’s personal and professional growth. While this less than glowing feedback can be perceived as a “criticism” of our work, or even feel like a personal attack on our character, we need to view feedback as a gift.  Embracing feedback with an open mind fosters a culture of learning and adaptability, making it easier to respond to challenges. Simply put, being receptive to feedback is a powerful tool for self-awareness and development.
• Are you communicating proactively in the workplace? In meetings, when there is an issue being discussed and you have something to contribute, do you? Or, do you hang back because it’s easier? If you are uncomfortable with raising an issue or a question, do you give into those feelings or do you fight through it because on a deeper level you know you have something to say? Commit to speaking up and being more proactive. The best leaders seek opportunities to actively contribute and share their knowledge and insight. It is all about sharing important information that will be valuable to your colleagues and your organization overall.
• Do you ask for help? Are you delegating and acknowledging that you are overwhelmed? Do you take it all on yourself because “if you want it done right you have to do it yourself?” That approach never works. You will lose sight of the big picture and certain things will slip through the cracks. Further, this leadership style communicates that you don’t trust those around you. Why not choose one activity or function to delegate to a team member? Pick carefully and don’t micromanage. You will be a better leader and a lot less stressed.

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