What does it mean to be led well?...

Today's leadership insights are brought to you by Greg Gelineau. Greg is the Executive Vice President of the Integrity Marketing Group and the American Senior Benefits.

"People deserve to be led well."

That may be true, but what does good leadership look like? What does it feel like?

How do I become a great leader, and how do I show it?

These are all questions you may ask when it comes to the topic of Leadership. The word alone causes some to puff out their chest with desire to prove they possess it.

One of the greatest problems in our society today is a pure lack of leadership. We can talk all about great leaders in American history, but we often go back decades to really conjure up many of the names that exemplified it.

The key points in this article are based on 40 years of my own growing and developing personally and professionally in my career as a leader. I have learned from so many people along the way, and I truly am blessed to have been associated with so many different kinds of leaders. I believe those experiences have given me a well-rounded perspective.

First, leadership is not a thing you acquire. True leadership shows up when it is present. If someone has to tell you they’re the leader, they probably aren't. Leadership is a quality that is something unmistakable when you see it in someone.

Understand clearly that leadership is not only present in humans. If you ever watch animals in the wild, leadership qualities are being exhibited all day long. In every community - human or otherwise - leadership is required. That is why this is such a powerful subject and really such an important quality for people to possess in their lives.

The leader isn't always the loudest person in the room. The leader isn't always the one who talks the most. The leader doesn't have to be the one that controls the meeting, teaches the lesson, or stays at the office the longest each day. The leader many times isn't the one who is the most popular.

The leader is clearly defined as the one who makes people better when he or she is present.

Leadership is action, not position.

Leadership is influence, plain and simple.

Leaders inspire and set a clear vision for others to see.

Leaders are human and make mistakes.

Leaders positively impact others' lives every day.

Leaders understand that what's important is how you leave people.

Leaders don't simply follow the status quo; they walk a walk that is clearly value-based. Most great leaders are spiritual in some way and follow a set of guiding principles of right and wrong. They have a moral compass that directs their behaviors. They are people who deeply value integrity in others and live their values to a profound degree.

Leaders are “get things done” people. They aren't focused on just being busy or looking busy. Instead, they focus on being productive and adding value. Show me a great leader, and I'll show you a person with a “to do” list every day.

Leaders are not just thinking of what needs to get done today. They have the next 6-12 months - or years - already on their mind. Vision is what a great leader can cast so people can truly see and get excited about where they are going and want to follow.

Leaders don't make excuses, they take ownership.

Leaders are like musicians on a wonderful keyboard. They get to know the personalities and wants and desires of all of their direct reports and then they work to help each person grow and develop by knowing what inspires each of them.

A leader without vision is simply called a manager. 

Don't get me wrong: We need managers. Managers are the movers and shakers of daily work in the world. Without managers, nothing would ever get accomplished. As a country, we probably have no less than 100 managers to every leader you will meet. Don't be insulted if you find you fall into the manager category because your responsibility and work is crucial to the success of every leader’s goals.

The difference is that if you want to go to the leadership level, you need to work on all of the attributes in this article.

Please understand that although much of good leadership is inspiration - not perspiration - in my opinion it is essential that the leader has shown success in whatever business he/she is leading. This can't be a do as I say, not as I have done proposition. Leadership to me is something we as a society and business community need far more of today.

Always remember that everything rises and falls upon Leadership.

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