"Eighty percent of American managers cannot answer with any measure of confidence these seemingly simple questions: 'What is my job? What in it really counts? How well am I doing?'" - W.
Edwards Deming 1.
Exceptional leaders are ethical.
They are trustworthy and they that know integrity in all aspects of life means being true to their conscious, even when no one will know about it.
2.
They lead by example.
Their motto is "What I do speaks so loudly and clearly that what I say is barely audible.
" 3.
Exceptional leaders know their personality power and use it in strong combination with the power of knowledge and skills (demonstrated knowledge and skills that critics respect and supporters admire) and a dose here or there of positional power.
4.
Exceptional leaders are visionaries.
They see ordinary things that can be turned into extraordinary results.
5.
They are solid communicators.
They are clear, concrete, and consistent in communicating their vision or instructions.
They deliver messages with enthusiasm and sincerity.
6.
Listening is the other part of communication that great leaders are good at.
They listen and try to understand the challenges about their vision that are limiting people's productivity.
7.
Exceptional leaders are risk takers.
They don't wait for opportunities to present themselves.
They knock on doors and climb high places in search of new ventures.
8.
Exceptional leaders develop and cultivate new heights of positive attitude as they meet more difficult challenges from day-to-day.
9.
Exceptional leaders are change agents.
They embrace change knowing it is packaged along with challenges and opportunities.
10.
Effective leaders are lifelong learners.
They learn from their own mistakes and from observing mistakes made by others.
Growth-conscious leaders hunger for current and past wisdom and get it from reading, listening and thinking.
They buy into Eric Hoffer's philosophy that, "In a time of rapid change it is the learners who inherit the earth.
The learned are prepared for a world that no longer exists.
" 11.
Exceptional leaders give their all.
They go the extra mile to make their vision a reality.
They are determined, flexible and dedicated.
12.
Exceptional leaders care! As early Egyptians mummified their Pharaohs, they removed the dead leaders brain but left the hearts intact.
They believed that for a leader to be great, a compassionate heart was necessary.
A leader's huge heart prompts him/her to create a family-like working environment, where employees feel and know they are valued, respected as individuals and are given opportunities for growth and fun.
13.
Exceptional leaders value fun and time out for spiritual, family and recreational endeavors.
Here is something to think about as grow as a leader.
For the majority of plants to grow and bear fruits, they must be green.
If your goal is to grow and be productive in your personal and professional life, then: 1.
Become a lifelong learner 2.
Be self-initiating 3.
Forget job description, do what needs to be done 4.
Learn to look, ask and listen 5.
Always have something to live up to 6.
Take time to nurture your soul, body and mind 7.
Tap the richness of other people as a contributor and learner 8.
Learn to turn obstacles into opportunities 9.
Plant seeds for your professional and personal future growth NOW