An Invisible one.

To me a great leader creates an environment where everyone feels that they are part of the process and responsible for it.

The best leaders that I have observed in my working life demonstrated their greatest skills when they left the organization or were promoted. The best leaders left behind many skilled, trained people who were capable of taking over for her or him. They left behind a bevy of others who took leadership posts within their department or company. Their top assistants were tapped to lead. Turnover among a great leader's assistants was low or nonexistent.

The best leaders let the assistants take credit for the wins and for the losses, the best leaders stand up and take the blame. They create an atmosphere of responsibility by taking responsibility. The weak leaders push off the responsibility for negative events to others and take all the credit for the positive events.

The great leaders create space for all those around them to shine, leaving the spotlight for others, as they know their true skill lies in building up those around them, not dividing or degrading them.

Can you share the credit? Can you take the blame? Or better yet, can you take all the blame and give all the credit to others?

When things go awry would you or do you stand up and say "I am responsible for this and here is what I would do better next time or this is what I learned...?"

To create a culture of people who take responsibility for their jobs requires a leader who takes responsibility.
Where there is finger pointing and blame... guess where it started?

The old Japanese adage is "when you point the finger of blame, there are three fingers pointing back at you."

What is your experience of great leaders?

Gratefully yours,
Steve