What does it mean to be led well?...

Today's leadership insights are brought to you by Greg Gelineau. Greg is the Executive Vice President of the Integrity Marketing Group and the American Senior Benefits.

"People deserve to be led well."

That may be true, but what does good leadership look like?

What does it feel like?

How do I become a great leader, and how do I show it?

?

These are all questions you may ask when it comes to the topic of?Leadership. The word alone causes some to puff out their chest with a desire to prove they possess it.

?

One of the greatest problems in our society today is a pure lack of?leadership. We can talk all about?great?leaders?in American history, but we often go back decades to conjure up many of the names that exemplified it.

?

The key points in this article are based on 40 years of my own growing and developing personally and professionally in my career as a?leader. I have learned from so many people along the way, and I truly am blessed to have been associated with so many different kinds of?leaders. I believe those experiences have given me a?well-rounded?perspective.

?

First,?leadership?is not a thing you acquire. True?leadership?shows up when it is present. If someone has to tell you?they’re the?leader, they probably aren't. Leadership?is a quality that is something unmistakable when you see it in someone.

?

Understand clearly that?leadership?is not only present in humans. If you ever watch animals in the wild,?leadership?qualities are being exhibited all day long. In every community — human or otherwise — leadership is required. That is why this is such a powerful subject and really such an important quality for people to possess in their lives.??

?

The?leader?isn't always the loudest person in the room. The?leader?isn't always the one who talks the most. The?leader?doesn't have to be the one that controls the meeting, teaches the lesson, or stays at the office the longest each day. The?leader?many times isn't the one who is the most popular.??

?

The?leader?is clearly defined as the one who makes people better when he or she is present.

Leadership?is action, not position.

Leadership?is influence, plain and simple.

?

Leaders?inspire and set a clear vision for others to see.

?

Leaders?are human and make mistakes.

?

Leaders?positively impact others' lives every day.

?

Leaders?understand that what's important is how you leave people.

Leaders?don't simply follow the status quo; they walk a walk that is clearly value-based. Most?great?leaders?are spiritual in some way and follow a set of guiding principles of right and wrong. They have a moral compass that directs their behaviors. They are people who deeply value integrity in others and live their values to a profound degree.

?

Leaders?are “get things done” people. They aren't focused on just being busy or looking busy. Instead, they focus on being productive and adding value. Show me a?great?leader,?and I'll show you a person with a “to do” list every day.

?

Leaders?are not just thinking of what needs to get done today. They have the next 6-12 months - or years - already on their mind. Vision is what a?great?leader?can cast so people can truly see and get excited about where they are going and want to follow.

?

Leaders?don't make excuses, they take ownership.

?

Leaders?are like musicians on a wonderful keyboard. They get to know the personalities and wants and desires of all of their direct reports and then they work to help each person grow and develop by knowing what inspires each of them.

A?leader?without vision is simply called a manager.

Don't get me wrong: We need managers. Managers are the movers and shakers of daily work in the world. Without managers, nothing would ever get accomplished. As a country, we probably have no less than 100 managers to every?leader?you will meet. Don't be insulted if you find you fall into the manager category because your responsibility and work is crucial to the success of every?leader’s?goals.

?

The difference is that if you want to go to the?leadership?level, you need to work on all of the attributes in this article.

?

Please understand that although much of?good?leadership?is inspiration - not perspiration - in my opinion it is essential that the?leader?has shown success in whatever business he/she is leading. This can't be a do as I say, not as I have done proposition.?Leadership?to me is something we as a society and business community need far more of today.

?

Always remember that everything rises and falls upon?Leadership.

?

If you're interested in becoming a better leader, then follow the Leadership Excellence newsletter.

CLICK HERE to get Endeavor Lab delivered to your mailbox every week.