The Difference Between Ordinary & Excellent Leaders

You can see mediocre managers everywhere. It's not hard to be one. In fact, anyone can be one, including you. Unless you're careful, you can slide into the ditch of complacency.
More often than not, that ditch is filled with second-rate leaders who's attitude is, "Unless I am explicitly told 'yes,' I won't take action."
On the other hand, skilled leaders don't wait for a pre-authorized blessing on most of their actions. They have developed the self-confidence and courage to make decisions as they arise. They are aware of the higher level objectives and risks in their task. They are also aware of their manager's interests and concerns.
With this background, the successful are ready, willing, and able to effectively act in behalf of upper management because their behavior is based on solid principle. Their courage is ready to take them where upper management needs to be, and take the actions management would take if they were in the same situation.
There is a world of difference between a brilliant leader and the middle-of-the-road manager and it all turns on the courage to act. Theodore Roosevelt was right when he said, "In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing."
   — Joel Stock
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