Great Leaders & Future Leaders

What constitutes "great leader," and in whose eyes is the leader great? Moreover, does great leader mean a person sitting atop an organizational chart? I believe our Western focus of great leader comes from the industrial age of leader omnipotence. In a post-industrial era, leaders exist to serve future leaders.

Great leaders are succession planners, knowing their time in leadership is transient. Consider these seven points John Maxwell posits.

1. Leaders who gather followers need to be needed. Leaders who develop leaders want to be succeeded.

2. Leaders who gather followers focus on people's weakness. Leaders who develop leaders focus on their strenghs.

3. Leaders who gather followers focus on the bottom 20 percent. Leaders who develop leaders focus on the top 20 percent.

4. Leaders who gather followers treat everyone the same. Leaders who develop leaders treat people as individuals.

5. Leaders who gather followers spend their time. Leaders who develop leaders invest their time.

6. Leaders who gather followers ask for little commitment. Leaders who develop leaders asks for great commitment.

7. Leaders who gather followers impact this generation. Leaders who develop leaders impact future generations.

How many leaders today will leave a legacy of greatness into future ages?