Great groups give the lie to the remarkably persistent but incorrect notion that successful organizations are the lengthened shadow of a great woman or man. However, each great group has a strong leader. In fact, great groups and great leaders create each other.

Good leaders make people feel that they're at the very heart of things, not at the periphery. Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to the success of the organization. When that happens people feel centered and that gives their work meaning.

Learning to be an effective leader is no different than learning to be an effective person. And that's the hard part

Failing organizations are usually over-managed and under-led.

First and foremost, effective leaders must continuously strive to make themselves smarter and better at making judgments.

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

The failure to find the right niche for people - or to let them find their own perfect niches - is a major reason that so many workplaces are mediocre, even toxic, in spite of the presence of talent. Leaders of great groups give them whatever they need and free them from everything else.