This past year I have had the privilege of spending time with a variety of both public and private organizational leaders. And even though you try to not “talk shop” in your off hours…different topics always circled back to the most important traits, actions, attitudes and timing issues that would make a good LEADERSHIP 101 Training course GREAT!

Well as you can guess…there was no complete consensus on “the making of a leader” …but several terms steadily rose out of our discussions.  The main points were vision, accountability, communication, responsibility, approachable, influence and consistent.  My main LEADERSHIP 101 term contribution was: Purpose (like developing a culture around) or in other words: THE CAUSE!

As part of my contribution to the discussion, I would comment that if I was teaching a LEADERSHIP 101 course, I would try very hard to get each student to understand the high value of instilling a common feeling of THE CAUSE in all connected to your organization.  Staff, Board members, customers, partners…yes even the general public would appreciate what your organization “stands-for” …THE CAUSE.  It would be reflected in everyone’s sense of purpose, urgency, unity, confidence, performance, work ethic and pride in working to set the trends…rather than follow old trends.

Bottomline: We are all leaders in our own world-of-work.  Do those around you understand THE CAUSE that you stand for?