“Lay these words across your foundation,” Moran says, “let them settle in and stay committed to them.” In any case, the next step is to fill in the foundation with 15 to 20 more words that best define your leadership skills-words like honest, assertive, inspirational, etc. A lack of integrity is “the result of a poorly built foundation.” VisionĪ leader with vision sees what others can’t see-a vital leadership trait “in times of crisis when there is no clear path.” Think of the parade of disgraced leaders we’ve seen in just the past decade alone. “In essence, it’s nothing more than a cornerstone test,” Moran says. We all encounter times in our business lives where there’s profit to be gained from conducting yourself in ways of questionable honesty. People don’t want to do business with someone they can’t trust.

For a small business owner, there may be no more valuable quality-particularly, Moran says, if you’re “dealing with larger companies who may hesitate in doing business with a smaller company whose leader doesn’t possess the utmost credibility.” Someone with credibility is someone you can trust.

We all know what a “person of character” looks and acts like, and why it’s a description worth aspiring to. “Character” refers to an individual’s mental and moral qualities. Four Cornerstones of Great Leaders Character Below are the cornerstones Moran chose for himself. That foundation itself is built on four corners-four words that both “describe the type of leader you are today”, as well as the leader you hope to become tomorrow. “Great leadership is built brick by brick over many years with each decision and every mistake you make.” This experience (and the wisdom that comes with it) serves as the “rock solid foundation” of great leadership. “Great leadership doesn’t happen overnight,” says Brian Moran, contributor to Open Forum. These qualities, as well as adhering to a few concrete principles, elevate their leadership to the highest level, and ensure they leave a lasting, positive effect on the people around them. Every great leader is different, but most share certain innate qualities.

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