The more time I spend with the leaders of various companies, the more I recognize some common traits among the best. Great leaders, it turns out, have three things in common. They treat everyone with respect. They are driven to do their best. And they do the right thing just because it’s the right thing to do. The third rule is the most critical because leaders who do the right thing just because it’s the right thing to do have the most influence. It’s one thing to do the right thing for a specific purpose, like increasing employee retention or meeting quarterly goals. It’s another thing all together to do the right thing just because it represents who you are and what you believe. Leaders in this second group are genuine. They care about their employees and empower them to succeed. They build relationships, welcome feedback and take initiative. As a result, their employees trust them. They have influence because they earned it by serving the people who choose to be part of their vision. These leaders are exceptional and their companies are great places to work.
So if you want to be successful in business, treat everyone with respect, do your best and above all else, do the right thing…just because its the right thing to do.
