I hear that you want to be a great leader...

You earned the education. You have the knowledge and experience. You lead a team. You facilitate change. You achieve goals. But something is missing.

Successful companies know that a strong leadership team is critical to employee and business success. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of articles, books and seminars focused on developing great leaders. Devoted readers study writings, highlight materials and create folders full of notes. Attendees flock to leadership seminars with the hope of returning to work with the secret to finally becoming the great leader that they always wanted to be. Everyone walks away with ideas and plans to emulate a popular great leader.

If you are not into books, articles, and seminars about leadership, just conduct an internet search on “qualities of great leaders.” You will discover a plethora of studies and reports about top leadership qualities and traits. It all seems so easy. The message is simple. All you need to do is incorporate the listed qualities and traits into your future dealings and interactions. All you need to do is to be like someone else.

People spend valuable energy, time and money attempting to diminish or tone down their natural tendencies and personalities. Sometimes, people spend a lifetime attempting to be someone other than themselves only to realize that it is an uphill battle. It is impossible. And then it is too late.

I wholeheartedly agree that we can and should take steps to learn from each other. We all can avoid headaches and heartaches if we just keep an open mind, listen, and learn. In a world where we promote the value the individual and encourage employees to bring their true selves to work, why is the messaging to leaders different? Why are leaders advised to be more like someone other than themselves? Is it even possible to create an environment where employees bring their true selves to work when the leaders do not do so themselves?

The message to leaders should begin with a discussion around the value of genuine and authentic leadership. Genuine and authentic relationships. The message should be about something more than mere acceptance. It should be about promoting and celebrating the beautiful uniqueness that everyone brings to work, even leaders.

• Great leaders inspire
• Great leaders build momentum
• Great leaders seek understanding
• Great leaders embrace uniqueness
• Great leaders master human kindness
• Great leaders celebrate and revel in the success of others
• Great leaders balance and sometimes juggle business needs and people needs
• Great leaders invite others to be part of an important story. To make history. Together.

My message may seem a bit off the beaten path.

Take off the protective gear. Remove the mask. Share. Be you. Have fun. Listen. Learn. Make a difference. Now, let’s go!