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"Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things."-Peter Drucker

Peter Drucker is arguably the greatest management theorist of the 20th century. The advent of complex organizations gave rise to Drucker's inventive approach to management. Many successful CEOs maintain Drucker wrote the blueprint for managing in the modern corporation.

Drucker, who passed away in 2005, became crestfallen with capitalism and its reward for greed over performance. Excessive executive bonuses at the expense of furloughed workers sickened Drucker, and he decided to harness his keen insight for non-profits towards the end of his illustrious career. Who knows what he would have thought about the recent economic meltdown, but many analysts believe Drucker would have partly associated the meltdown with shoddy management practices.

In a business world of quick fixes and simplistic PowerPoint presentations, Drucker understood that the job of managing people and institutions is complex, with little room for implementing the latest fad or gimmick. He taught generations of managers the importance of recruiting high achievers, focusing on opportunities instead of problems, treating customer service from the customer's perspective, and the need to understand competitive advantages. He believed talented people were the essential ingredient of every successful enterprise.

Drucker made it a point to separate management from leadership, believing the ability to lead was just one quality of a successful manager. His timeless advice and poignant lessons still ring true today, even more so as businesses revamp their strategic outlooks in the new economy. Across the business industry spectrum, successful managers share common qualities that push their respective organizations to the top of the competitive heap.

Here are ten qualities to look for in a successful manager:

Integrity

The days of cutting corners in order to squeeze out every penny of profit are over. Integrity is the new code word in business, buttressed by a manager who honestly communicates with his team. Business organizations wither when employees wonder when the next knife will be stuck in their back. Trust reduces stress and improves overall morale.

The Glass is Half Full

Employees feed off a manager's attitude. Successful managers approach each project, deadline, and working day with an optimistic attitude. They genuinely exude warmth in their interactions and encourage others to reach their full potential.

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