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and trouble begins.

What if the economy changes or top management is changed from a sales & marketing run organization to an accounting run organization, doesn't the leadership style change as well? As a gear in the clockwork or cog in the wheel we must be ready to do our part as new and different pressures are applied.

Maybe things aren't that drastic. Maybe just a new supervisor or manager up the line is changed and that's all. If the new manager is of the opposite gender would this make any difference to you? So if you were a subordinate female what might this mean to you? If you were a subordinate male what might this mean to you? Leadership secret #1 is: Great leaders are able to place themselves in another's shoes while keeping their eye on the prize.

My advice is to select the best strengths from the 5 leadership types above and internalize them. Exercise these skills whether you consider yourself a natural born leader or not, whether you are working, training, or striving to be a great leader or not, or whether you are ever called to be a significant or popular leader or not.

Leadership secret #2 is: (the secret attribute common in good leadership, whether innate or learned, is) the ability to be a good follower. This may translate into being a dedicated follower of another's commands or example. It may translate into being a dedicated follower of correct principles in business and life. Ultimately it may prove to be the ability to stick to your ideals and follow your own dreams; come what may.

Be actively engaged in leading yourself there. Pay the price (and don't forget to dance along the way)! After all, this is the essence of true leadership, natural, learned, or a dynamic blending of the two theories. I wish you the very best.

Learn more about this author, J.D. McKay.
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