In today's interesting economic environment people want to be led by someone they can trust and depend on. The problem is a good part of the people out there calling themselves Leaders are not Leaders at all----they are self-serving, egoic creeps looking to benefit themselves with no thought to the people that depend on them.  Take the AIG mess all over the news, look at the Enron disaster, the bailout packages with all the earmarks, the big companies whose CEO's are being bonused while the employees are being laid-off for lack of funds.  This stuff isn't Leadership---it is a DISGRACE!

There are some outstanding Leaders and we need more of those people...if you are waiting for an invitation to Lead, DON'T---if you feel compelled to lead get up and DO IT NOW...the world needs you!

I have written a few points on what real leadership is:

True Leaders know how to follow

Leaders don’t wait to be asked, they just step up and do what needs to  be done

Leadership equals HUMILITY

Leaders empower their people and give the credit away

Leaders don’t quit

Leaders DO WHATEVER IT TAKES to accomplish the result

Leaders plan, execute and improvise

Leaders recognize that people trust them and count on them and that knowledge influences every decision that they make

Leaders DO EVERYTHING when necessary that includes emptying trash, washing windows and cleaning toilets---we are not “too good” for ANY task…if we would ask someone to do it then we better be willing to LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Leaders LISTEN, really LISTEN and then they act on what they hear

Leaders solve problems and provide solutions

Leaders get help when needed and ask for sound counsel when necessary

REAL Leaders know that to lead effectively they must disappear

Leaders leave attitude and EGO at the door

Leaders SERVE and when they grow weary of the task, they SERVE MORE…selflessly and graciously

Leaders are committed to results, they are not dominated by how they ‘feel’ in any given moment

Leaders don’t make excuses and they don’t accept them…they drive people to reveal excellence and go beyond mediocrity

Leaders are DISCIPLINED and they do what must be done NO MATTER WHAT

Leaders mentor and create more Leaders

Leaders give till it hurts and then they give some more

Leaders recognize that to be uncomfortable means growth

Leaders NEVER settle

Leaders tell the truth even when it hurt

Leaders LEAD!