This brief checklist is derived from management literature and my experience with successful leaders. Of course, depending on the circumstances, some of these skills, values, or activities are more important than others.

As a leader I:

Reward great employees and fire the bad ones.

Reward great customers and clients.

Eliminate veteran workers who do little more than cash their paycheck.

Take responsibility for failures ("the buck stops here).

Am crystal clear about the direction I wish to take my company, team, and career.

Act with the utmost personal integrity.

Act in the same manner that I want my executives and employees to act.

Spend more time empowering people than disempowering them.

Focus the company or team on what it does best (the "hedgehog concept).

Create a culture of excitement, innovation, urgency, and fun.

Lead a balanced lifestyle.


These are critical objections for most leaders. How are you and the leaders at your company stacking up?