Here are the top 10 posts from 2014. And incidentally, you can also see the top 10 posts from every other year as well. See you in 2015!

How to Tell Who the Real Leader Is

I used to think you could tell the real leaders by their charisma, looks and ability to maintain a high profile. Now I know what to look for.

Where Credibility Comes From

You can’t give yourself credibility. It can only be given to you by others. Here’s how to get it.

What Coaching Leaders Do Differently

People throw around the term “coaching” like it’s the flavor of the week. But true coaching is a set of skills.

How to Bounce Back from Adversity

Everyone gets knocked down. You only lose if you stay down. Here’s how to get back up.

Catch People Doing Something Right

Do people behave a certain way because of you or in spite of you? If you change your perspective, you can change what you reinforce.

The Fear of the Finger

No one wants to be the one left holding the bag. Not everyone can muster up the courage it takes to lead. Can you?

What Young People Need to Hear About Leadership

The next generation won’t wait. Here’s what we need to tell them.

Leadership Myth: You Need a Title to Be a Leader

If you can’t lead without authority, you’ll never be able to lead with authority.

How to Respond to a Mistake

Mistakes can be painful. They can also provide an opportunity for growth that we’d otherwise miss.

How to Get Great Feedback

Feedback is important. Good feedback is crucial. But we can’t use it if we don’t get any.

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website or   follow him on Twitter.

I don’t get to attend as many leadership events as I’d like to, but I always take something away from the ones I do. This year’s Leadercast was no exception. These were the highlights for me.

Stories Connect

We heard some amazing stories at Leadercast. Nearly every speaker talked about a person who had changed his or her life. Andy Stanley told about a successful business owner who went out of his way to mentor him in his formative years. Laura Schroff told about a chance meeting with a homeless boy that changed both of their lives forever. Perhaps the most inspiring was Randall Wallace’s story of his journey to Scotland to find out more about his family, which eventually led him to write the movie Braveheart.

In each instance, the speakers all had great points to make. But their points wouldn’t have had nearly the weight without the stories that accompanied them. It’s easy to make a point. It’s more difficult – and much more powerful – to include a story that drives the point home.

We Can’t Lead if We Can’t Listen

One of the main these from Leadercast was the importance of trust as the basis for effective leadership. Listening is the key to building both individual and corporate trust. SAP CEO Bill McDermott commented on the importance of finding out what is important to any new team before implementing sweeping changes. Henry Cloud shared a brilliant quote: “You understand people when they understand that you understand.” Archbishop Desmond Tutu mentioned that good leaders listen to all voices, even the ones of those who disagree. When it comes to building trust, slow is fast and it starts with listening.

Real Power Comes from Empowering Others

When it comes to legacy, Andy Stanley mentioned that precious little will be remembered about us apart from what we give to others. That’s why it’s important to use the influence we have to empower others. And it’s important to start now, instead of waiting until we feel our influence is significant. Simon Sinek told how individuals who become leaders are the ones who sacrifice for others instead of looking for the easy way out. Sacrificing for others means that corporate budgets, disposable time and sometimes even personal safety take a backseat at times.

Leadership is truly a buzzword with new books, presentations and programs hitting the streets every day. But at the end of the day, much of what there is to say – and hear – about leadership isn’t new. However, it is relevant since the need for quality leaders is as evident today as it’s ever been. Will your leadership outlive you? Only time will tell, but this is a great place to start.

If you attended Leadercast 2014, what did you learn?

Nathan Magnuson is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer and thought leader.  Receive his new ebook Trusted Leadership Advisor by subscribing to his website  or follow him on Twitter.