What leaders know.

People who occupy leadership positions frequently have a persona that distinguishes them from others. It is often difficult to define or describe what constitutes a leader, even though pundits often refer to a leadership charisma, aura, or caste. Leaders do hold certain values, however, and I have assembled some thoughts relative to leadership that may prove beneficial.

Leaders know that success comes in cans-it doesn't come in can'ts. Leaders know things CAN be done, and they do them.

Leaders know that the measure of a team is not how well the team performs when things are going as planned, but how well the team performs when things are not going as planned.

Leaders know it is their attitude, not their aptitude, that determines their altitude in life.

Leaders know that the most important investment they will ever make is in their integrity.

Leaders know that the most important asset they will ever own is their reputation.

Leaders know that the most important expenditure they will ever make is in service to others.

Leaders know that the most important thing they put on in the mornings is their smile.

Leaders know that when they are faced with a choice between intelligence and experience, they will choose experience. With intelligence, you often get arrogance, with experience you usually get wisdom.

Leaders live their life through a zoom lens, not through a rearview mirror.

Leaders know that small minds talk about people. Great minds talk about ideas.

Leaders realize that when they become comfortable, they become vulnerable.

Leaders possess a lot of WIT: Whatever It Takes.

Leaders know that "winning" starts with "beginning."

Leaders know that self confidence comes from internal mastery. Effectiveness comes from external mastery.

Leaders don't let bad experiences make them bitter. They know it makes them better.

Leaders know that life is not to be measured in terms of an "unbeaten season." They know that there will be times of when they may lose, but, they never allow themselves to be defeated.

Leaders know sustained leadership rests on four cornerstones: ethics, courage, standards, and performance.

Leadership know that "vision" not only involves eyesight, but also insight and foresight.

Leaders know that, irrespective of titles, they are CEO's: Competent, Effective, and Organized.

Leaders don't tolerate mediocrity; They know mediocrity is a step toward degeneration.

Leaders know that maintaining an improvement attitude requires daily effort.

Leaders realize that success is not an individual achievement. Many people participated in it.

Leaders know there is a difference between dictatorship and directorship. The former rests on power, the latter on conferred authority.

Leaders impact on situations in greater measure than they allow situations to impact them.

Leaders know the reason they were given two two ears and one mouth is to listen twice as much as they talk.

Leaders know there is a difference between positionship and leadership. The former is location in an organizational structure, the latter is a perception in the minds of a constituency.

Leaders know its not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.

Leaders act when opportunity knocks; they don't knock opportunity.

Leaders know that it is the thunder that roars, but it is the lightening that strikes.

Leaders know there is a difference between exceptional and being an exception. The former is usually accomplished by distinction; the latter is usually accompanied by distinction; the latter is usually accompanied by skepticism.

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worse when they despise him. But of a good leader who talks little when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: We did it ourselves. Lao-Tzu