In the face of ambiguity, uncertainty, and conflicting demands, often under great time pressure, leaders must make decisions and take effective actions to assure the survival and success of their organizations. This is how leaders add value to their organizations. They lead them to success by exercising good judgment, by making smart calls when especially difficult and complicated decisions simply must be made, and then ensuring that they are well executed.

If I were to give off-the-cuff advice to anyone trying to institute change, I would say, "How clear is the metaphor?"

All of great leaders evidence four basic qualities that are central to their ability to lead: adaptive capacity, the ability to engage others through shared meaning, a distinctive voice, and unshakeable integrity. These four qualities mark all exemplary leaders, whatever their age, gender, ethnicity, or race.

Just as no great painting has ever been created by a committee, no great vision has ever emerged from the herd.

It is the capacity to develop and improve their skills that distinguishes leaders from followers.

Perhaps the central task of the leader of leaders thus becomes the development of other leaders.

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.