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This is only one quote on leadership among hundreds, or more likely, thousands.\u00a0 <\/span>There is probably no other concept in business that\u2019s gotten as much attention as leadership.\u00a0 <\/span>But what is it?\u00a0 <\/span>Most of us think we know it when we see it, but it shows up in so many diverse situations and in so many different styles that it\u2019s difficult to give it a succinct, one-size-fits-all definition.<\/p>\n My trusty dictionary defines leadership this way:<\/p>\n Not really very helpful, is it?<\/p>\n I think the quote at the top is correct in terms of an outcome of leadership.\u00a0 <\/span>The outcome has to be to give people the confidence and desire to work together toward a specific goal.\u00a0 <\/span>But what does it look like in action?\u00a0 <\/span>As it turns out, it has hundreds and thousands and millions of looks.\u00a0 <\/span>That\u2019s why it defies definition.\u00a0 <\/span>However, there are a few characteristics that seem to be common among great leaders.<\/p>\n First, to be a great leader means being authentic, being yourself.\u00a0 <\/span>You can\u2019t fake it.\u00a0 <\/span>You can\u2019t imitate someone else\u2019s leadership style.\u00a0 <\/span>You develop a style of leadership that reflects who you are . . . your personality, your values, your way of communicating.\u00a0 <\/span>Great leaders come in all sorts of packages.\u00a0 <\/span>Some are quiet and thoughtful, some are brash and commanding, some are humble, some are arrogant.\u00a0 <\/span>They all can work.\u00a0 <\/span>So don\u2019t try to fit into somebody else\u2019s package.\u00a0 <\/span>Work on developing your own.<\/p>\n Great leaders tend to be great communicators.\u00a0 <\/span>If your people are going to follow you, they need to know where you want to take them, why you want to take them there, and if they go there with you, what\u2019s in it for them?\u00a0 <\/span>Great leaders are good at communicating all of that fully and honestly.<\/p>\n And great leaders understand that their primary responsibility is to help those around them succeed.\u00a0 <\/span>Leaders who put their own image and their own welfare above that of their organization will never rise to greatness.<\/p>\n When an organization is not performing the way it should . . . when there is uncertainty, confusion, or doubt about the direction it is heading . . . leadership is at least part of the problem, if not all of it.\u00a0 <\/span>Have you looked over your shoulder lately to make sure your people are following you?\u00a0 <\/span>If you have, and don\u2019t like what you see, call me.\u00a0 <\/span>We should talk.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This is only one quote on leadership among hundreds, or more likely, thousands.\u00a0 There is probably no other concept in business that\u2019s gotten as much attention as leadership.\u00a0 But what is it?\u00a0 Most of us think we know it when we see it, but it shows up in so many diverse situations and in so<\/p>\n\n