systems and processes.

“It’s improper for one person to take credit when it takes so many people to build a successful organization,” asserts Sinegal. “When you try to be top dog, you don’t create loyalty. If you can’t give credit (and take blame), you will drown in your inability to inspire.”3

If you are a leader, then trust me, you are having either a positive or a negative impact on the people you lead. How can you tell? There is one critical question: Are you making things better for the people who follow you? That’s it.

Leadership is influence—nothing more, nothing less.

leadership ability is the lid that determines a person’s level of effectiveness. The lower an individual’s ability to lead, the lower the lid on his potential. The higher the individual’s ability to lead, the higher the lid on his potential.

When a leader’s character is strong, people trust him, and they trust in his ability to release their potential. That not only gives his followers hope for the future, but it also promotes a strong belief in themselves and their organization.

1. LEADERSHIP REQUIRES THE ABILITY TO DO MORE THAN ONE THING WELL

The larger the organization, the more clearly the leader has to be able to see ahead. That’s true because sheer size makes midcourse corrections more difficult. And if there are errors in navigation, many more people are affected than when a leader is traveling alone or with only a few people.

Entrepreneurs are skilled at seeing opportunities and going after them.