Effective leaders make a full commitment to be a learner, to keep increasing and nourishing their knowledge and wisdom.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines crucible as "a place, time, or situation characterized by the confluence of powerful intellectual, social, economic, or political forces; a severe test of patience or belief; a vessel for melting material at high temperatures." A crucible was the vessel in which medieval alchemists attempted to turn base metals into gold. That the alchemists inevitably failed in their audacious attempts doesn't denigrate the power of the crucible as a metaphor for the circumstances that cause an individual to be utterly transformed.

People who know what they want and why they want it, and have the skills to communicate that to others in a way that gains support

That is the key challenge facing management today; change is the only constant.

See the long view: By all means "plant the corn, milk the cows, and feed the horses" but always keep the eventual "harvest" in mind.

There are two ways of being creative. One can sing and dance. Or one can create an environment in which singers and dancers flourish.

Leaders must earn the trust of their teams, their organizations, and their stakeholders before attempting to engage their support.