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

Organizations should try to find out if their learning programs actually work.

Almost without exception, members of great groups see themselves as winning underdogs, as a feisty David hurling fresh ideas at a big, backward-looking Goliath. They always have an "enemy."

Great leaders love talent and know where to find it. They surround themselves with talented people who can work effectively together.

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

Every great group is an island... but an island with a bridge to the mainland.

I'd always rather err on the side of openness. But there's a difference between optimum and maximum openness, and fixing that boundary is a judgment call. The art of leadership is knowing how much information you're going to pass on - to keep people motivated and to be as honest, as upfront, as you can. But, boy, there really are limits to that.