Lead

How do leaders achieve excellence?
That was a question I put to a panel of CEOs recently and here are some of the comments that offered.
You can never manage people to excellence. Great leaders understand that people want to be led to excellence and they achieve this by creating a culture of excellence that touches the spirit of their employees.
The best leaders are authentic. They are people of depth who share their life experiences including the highs and lows, ups and downs, successes and failures. Why? Because everyone has had them and leaders know that it humanizes them to their employees.
Another way leaders achieve excellence is by mastering their profession. Great leaders spend thirty minutes every day for one year developing an expertise in something. This is why great leaders appear to be knowledgable and fluid in certain subjects. The truth is, they are!
Leaders give people permission to have ambition, to dream, and succeed.
Leaders also emit confidence and success so that the doubters have faith and overcome their insecurities.
Finally, here's one thought that summarizes the difference between managers and leaders. Managers are focused on today. But leaders are focused on tomorrow!
Remember, leadership isn't about a job title or a diploma.
Everyone has the ability to lead and we do so frequently in our jobs, as a volunteer, and with our family.
Inspire people and bring out the best in them!