We think and talk a lot about Leadership and how to develop the Leadership skills. I believe, in order to develop Leadership skills, as a leader we must be willing to acknowledge that, developing it is not an accomplishment - it's a never-ending process. It's a process full of many awesome moments and many lonely days. It's fun and exciting one day and then the next day we wonder why we ever wanted to lead in the first place. Many of us secretly fantasize about being a great Leader!
Being a leader isn't easy - it requires commitment for the long haul. It's not something we can just accomplish and then move on. Being a leader requires hard work, sacrifice, commitment and a willingness to grow ourselves.
The leaders I admire most are the ones who give selflessly of themselves and make personal development a priority. I can not give of myself as I leader if I do not first take care of myself. Great leaders balance personal development and organizational development. Both are important and one without the other does not work.
As I have observed some of the great leaders, I find they all have some things in common.