I am often asked if leaders are born or made. The answer, of course, is both. Some characteristics, like IQ and energy, seem to come with the package. On the other hand, you learn some leadership skills, like self-confidence, at your mother's knee, and at school, in academics and sports. And you learn others at work-trying something, getting it wrong and learning from it, or getting it right and gaining the self-confidence to do it again, only better.

Trying to get people to face reality and see the world the way it really is is an absolutely critical aspect of leadership, in my view.

Face reality as it is, not as it was or as you wish it to be.

Six Sigma is a quality program that, when all is said and done, improves your customers' experience, lowers your costs, and builds better leaders.

Never miss out on an opportunity like a good recession.

Lack of candor blocks smart ideas, fast action, and good people contributing all the stuff they've got. It's a killer.

I wanted to change the rules of engagement, asking for more- from fewer. I was insisting that we had to have only the best people...If you wanted excellence, at a minimum, the ambience had to reflect excellence.