No leader is a world unto himself. In order to be successful, he needs to get others involved, by motivating them, making them feel comfortable, encouraging them in a positive proactive manner, and overtly showing his appreciation for whatever assistance or involvements others partake in. Great leaders realize that they can't do everything themselves, and that only through a concerted effort to get others involved, can they get their desired results. Andrew Carnegie put this phenomenon this way, "No person will make a great business who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit."
1. True leaders must be superb trainers and teachers, and patiently take others by the hand, and show them how to lead, why to lead, and what the commitment of leadership is really all about. While this may sound like a humanitarian and caring gesture by the leader, which it most assuredly generally is, leaders must perform these functions for fulfillment of their personal goals for their organization, and to assure a continuum for a prolonged period of able leadership, that is capable of guiding an organization into the future. After more than thirty years of involvement in nearly all aspects of leadership, leadership training, and leadership consulting, to well over a thousand leaders and potential leaders, I have witnessed most of the pitfalls leaders stumble upon, and derived methods to overcome these obstacles, and achieve leadership greatness. There is nothing as essential than for a leader to utilize the assistance of others, and to make sure these people are trained, able, skilled, proficient, and comfortable with authority. It is equally important that a leader differentiate the difference between counting someone who merely says he is ready, as opposed to someone who is actually both ready and willing to act and perform productively and efficiently.
2. Far too many people who ascend to leadership positions do so for the wrong reasons. Perhaps the most damaging trait for someone in leadership is to permit himself to be ego- driven, and require constant appreciating and compliments. Great leaders must never prioritize or consider their need to be given credit, but rather are the first ones to always share the credit, by thanking others for their participation and assistance. Great leaders invariable refer to their supporting cast as their team, and always accept compliments and credit for their team's efforts, rather than trying to make it appear like it was only them.
Leaders must always emphasize gratitude to others, and overtly show thanks and appreciation. Grateful leaders are always the greatest ones.
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