Put 'leadership' into Google and it comes up with 163,000,000 responses... There is so much literature on what makes a great leader, a leader's 'must have' characteristics, how to become a great leader; every business magazine tells us what we have to do to be a successful leader - it would seem there is no excuse not to demonstrate great leadership.

So why is there so much research that concludes employees feel their leaders do not demonstrate great leadership? In my experience the answer is similar to why change initiatives don't work. Leaderhip can't be done to people, just as change can't be done to people. Leadership is about the relationships we form with ourselves and others. You can't 'do' leadership; you have to 'be' a leader. 


I work with the idea of authentic and realtional leadership; being aware of your own values, beliefs and vision and developing authentic relationships with those around you - easier said than done!!

To me, it almost doesn't matter what 'perspective' you have on what makes a great leader; it's about exploring it, making it your own, living with it, and developing it for yourself. As managers, there is a responsibilty to manage the resourses (to plan, budget, communicate, organise, make decisions), but it is how this is done; through leadership behaviours (inspire, engage, develop, create) that delivers outstanding results.