Make sure you have someone in your life from whom you can get reflective feedback.

Judgment without character is expediency... or worse.

The new leader is one who commits people to action, who converts followers into leaders, and who may convert leaders into agents of change.

Leaders are people who do the right thing; managers are people who do things right.

Too many companies believe people are interchangeable. Truly gifted people never are. They have unique talents. Such people cannot be forced into roles they are not suited for, nor should they be. Effective leaders allow great people to do the work they were born to do.

Understand the "Gretzky Factor": Cultivate an instinct, a "touch", call it what you will, that enables you to know both where the "puck" is now and where it will be soon.

While great leaders may be as rare as great runners, great actors, or great painters, everyone has leadership potential, just as everyone has some ability at running, acting, and painting.