What Makes a Good Leader?

There's no point in having a good idea if you can't tell anybody what it is. Like giving a gift, leaders learn how to take a thought, wrap it in words, and present it to one or more of their associates.

This "communication gift-giving" is both delicate and deliberate. First, the thought must be relevant. It must speak to the issues of the listener, Second, it must be well-wrapped. Leaders learn the language.They are as comfortable with a comma as they are with a question mark. Nouns and verbs are parked in their reserved spaces, and adjectives and adverbs don't embarrass their subjects. Third, the presentation should be clear, concise, correct, and generously decorated with humorous or poignant illustrations.

Good communicators leave no doubt about the meaning of their message. They know that the communication process isn't complete until the audience has both listened and understood the delivered message.When great leaders communicate, everyone around them knows what's going on. They know because the leader made sure of it.

"To be effective, Leaders must know how to communicate their visions effectively and how to enlist the cooperation of others."