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It's a bit of a clich when we say success comes through effective leadership and failure from the lack of it, but to a large extent these comments are true. Leadership implies the ability to move people effectively towards a desired outcome.

The old adage that leaders are born, not made, isn't a black or white proposition. It gains credence because organizations generally think within the box and don't invest enough in potential leaders. Many industrial corporations, on the other hand, notoriously appoint people into leadership positions whose qualifications are either being good technicians, or having the highest seniority.

Corporate results are achieved through vision and leadership, and companies who compromise in these areas compromise the bottom line. Companies that invest in leadership training at level can shift the balance to have more potential leaders than non leaders in the organization.

Leadership is a state of mind, a personality trait that percolates even in minor situations, and it happens in most areas of life. People are categorized as leaders or followers, and individuals quickly develop reputations as one or the other. But there are borderline people on both sides of this equation who are capable of being reinforced or developed as future leaders.

Leadership can manifest itself in different ways. Leaders can be recognized for the contributions their teams make towards the corporate goals; they exude a charisma that seems to bring the very best out of people; and people vie to work for them. Companies look out for, and develop, these leaders in their succession plans.

But, in the corporate world, there are aspiring leaders who don't get the recognition they want, or the opportunities to progress. Sometimes these types are actually seen as obstructionists and are deliberately precluded. Yet their leadership skills need to be satisfied, and Unions are more than happy to exploit these corporate prejudices.

There's the rub. Leaders find ways to practice their trade, and suppressed ambition can hurt a corporation with the simple thought "I'll show you". Unions train their people, not only to advance their agenda, but to be seen as leaders in the eyes of their members. The irony is that most company Labor Relations departments are staffed by former Union representatives. Companies finally recognize an individual's skills and decide it's better to have them inside the tent. It's not unusual that a company's labor relations atmosphere lies in the hands of people whose skill sets were developed in order to defeat the company in the first place.

Successful organizations, however, ultimately need leaders for positive reasons, so what does it take to be seen as an effective leader? The individual has to have a positive agenda, and a track record of accomplishment. An effective leader is a change agent, because maintaining the status quo, by definition, is not progressive. An effective leader has finely honed people management skills. An effective leader is reliable and trustworthy. Above all, a true leader is a person of integrity.

Society does not move forward without effective leadership.

Learn more about this author, Ian Buchanan.
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