36 Leadership Experts Reveal What Truly Exceptional Leadership Is All About

The quest to define leadership obsesses many of us, and the definitions vary not only in content, but in context. I, myself, have sipped many cups of coffee and ran countless miles pondering this complex topic. And like many, I have devoted my life and profession to understanding the elusive concept of leadership. It was in this very crusade that I recently experienced a resounding “Aha moment,” one of those rare flashes of sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition, and comprehension.

As we follow and lead, write and publish, contemplate and grow, our desire is simply to better understand leadership and the significant impact, both positive and negative, a leader has on the lives and careers of the organization and individuals.

 Many of us lay the foundation of our understanding with the Business Dictionary, which defines leadership as ‘The act of inspiring subordinates to perform and engage in achieving a goal.’ But this is not enough. We want more. We desire Leadership Enlightenment. Enlightenment will not only allow us to understand the leadership universe but also improve our own condition. But how do we elevate a field of knowledge which has existed as long as man?

The answer lies in the same, simple principle which enables success in everything we do: Teamwork!

My epiphany erupted from the fact that often the thoughts and articles I devote my time to reading spark new ideas and avenues of research. Each of you make me a better leader as I contemplate your writings, published thoughts, notes and comments. And it is my hope I do the same for each of you.

Jim Rohn declared, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” My friendships and relationships are based on this declaration and each of you, many without even being aware, have mentored me in some significant way.

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Jim Rohn

As you think about this, ask yourself…

If I am the average of the 5 people closest me, are they leaders? Are they helping me become a better leader? And, on the flip side, am I also one of somebody else’s five? When I began to think of influence this way, I began thinking seriously about being one of someone’s five. This is my challenge to you, to think seriously about what it means to be one of someone’s five.

So, with this basis of our discussion, I spent the last six months asking many world-renowned leadership experts to join me, to combine efforts, and mentor in mass. The ember to spark this discussion was a simple question, “What is Leadership?”

The responses, the discussions, the connections were overwhelming and awe inspiring. It is with pride, I offer these 36 answers to a simply complex question, from the those who inspire me to be a better leader.

What is Leadership?

Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality. -Warren Bennis

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. -John C. Maxwell

Leadership is the skill of influencing people to action with character that inspires confidence & excellence. -Jim Hunter

Leadership is more than just a title or position; in it's truest form, it refers to an innate drive to rally people around a common vision or shared purpose. Something that creates value both for those involved in transforming that idea into reality, as well as for those who stand to benefit from the collective efforts of those who made it happen. That's why for me, leadership is never about the person, but about how we inspire the best in those we have the responsibility to lead. -Tanveer Naseer

A leader inspires others by modeling respect, bringing out the best in each person, holding high standards, and influencing outcomes and direction. A leader generates excitement about the organization’s vision, mission, and goals and the role each member plays. -Margy Bresslour

Leadership is envisioning a better place and inspiring others to make the necessary sacrifices to go there. -John Bell

The capacity and the will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence. -General Montgomery

Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes. -Peter Drucker

A Leader is someone who inspires us to achieve our highest aspirations. We all know that we can dream more, be more, and do more. Leaders inspire us to take action. -Dan Forbes

Leadership is influence. -John C. Maxwell

A leader inspires others, appreciates others, and lives their own life to be an example of what right looks like. -Doug VanWiggeren

Where there is no vision, the people perish. -Proverbs 29:18

Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations. -Peter Drucker

Leadership is influencing others by your character, humility and example. It is recognizable when others follow in word and deed without obligation or coercion. -Sonny Newman

Control is a mirage. The most effective leaders right now--men and women--are those who embrace traits once considered feminine: Empathy. Vulnerability. Humility. Inclusiveness. Generosity. Balance. Patience. -Leigh Buchanan

When asked to define the ideal leader, many would emphasize traits such as intelligence, toughness, determination, and vision—the qualities traditionally associated with leadership. Such skills and smarts are necessary but insufficient qualities for the leader. Often left off the list are softer, more personal qualities—but they are also essential. Although a certain degree of analytical and technical skill is a minimum requirement for success, studies indicate that emotional intelligence may be the key attribute that distinguishes outstanding performers from those who are merely adequate. -Daniel Goleman

Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others. -Jack Welch

Leaders are stewards. They mindfully navigate the responsibility to improve the quality of life of those entrusted to their care. -Shawn Murphy

Great leaders are like great orchestra conductors…bringing different instruments together to make beautiful music. -Eileen McDargh

The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority. -Kenneth Blanchard

The most effective form of leadership is supportive. It is collaborative. It is never assigning a task, role or function to another that we ourselves would not be willing to perform. For all practical purposes, leading well is as simple as remembering to remain others-centered instead of self-centered. -John Michel

Leadership is a process of social influence, which maximizes the efforts of others, towards the achievement of a goal. (Forbes) -Kevin Kruse

Believing great leaders are self-leaders, we define “Self-Leadership” as: “The deliberate and conscientious practice of engaging one’s best thinking in any and all circumstances that matter." When leaders make this their practice they are better able to deal with whatever situations arise. And when leaders ask themselves what we call The Central Question: "What choice can I make and action can I take, in this moment, to create the greatest net value?” they are much more likely to apply their best thinking before they react. -Harvey Schoof

In the Social Age, a leader is a connector, active listener and collaborator. Every leader today serves as "Chief Facilitation Officer" -- their job is to inspire action by getting the right people in the right room at the right time. -Mark Babbitt

Leadership is cultivating a shared, aspirational purpose and empowering everyone in the organization to contribute to it. -Kristof De Wolf

Too many people think leadership is about control. In fact, great leaders inspire then get out of the way. Leadership is about influence, guidance, and support, not control. -Meghan Biro

A leader may be at the front of the line, showing the way. They may also, however, be in the middle of the crowd letting everyone know what's ahead or at the back of the group, making sure no one is left behind. -Paula Kiger

Real leaders are activist leaders, As magnets for value they understand that driving profitable initiatives alone is - not enough. Activist leaders create conditions that bring about meaning, purpose and transformational change in people, processes and outcomes. -Jay Steven Levin

Effective leadership is about creating and maintaining a powerful, positive, productive work culture. When everyone - team members, team leaders, suppliers, even customers - are treated with trust, respect, and dignity in every interaction, that’s effective leadership. -S. Chris Edmonds

Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better. -Harry S. Truman

As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others. -Bill Gates

The art of leadership is saying no, not saying yes. It is very easy to say yes. -Tony Blair

The best leaders are not interested in who is right, but what is right. They not only embrace dissenting opinions, but they seek them out at every opportunity. Real leaders are just as at ease when unlearning as they are when learning. And perhaps most importantly, they never pass up an opportunity discuss, converse, dialog, or debate. They know that their leadership is only as good as their ability to engage, listen, discern, and to act. -Mike Myatt

Leadership is best captured in the relationship parents have with their children. It is our responsibility to provide the motivation to try harder, correction when necessary, support always, and if we do it right, their success lives on with less and less input from us. -Joel Neeb

The difference between great generals and mediocre ones may be attributed to the zeal great generals have been able to inspire in their men. Some excellent generals have been master strategists, and have won wars on this strength alone. Greatness, however, by very definition implies a great, an expanded view. It transcends intelligence and merely technical competence. It implies an ability to see the lesser in relation to the greater; the immediate in relation to the long term; the need for victory in relations to the needs that will arise once victory has been achieved. -Donald Walters

Being either an efficient leader or an effective leader may make you a ‘good’ leader, but being a Dynamic Innovative leader who can balance focus in each of these areas to be efficiently effective as a leader and as an organization will define greatness. Dynamic Leaders are characterized by focused energy, effective action and benevolent compassion. The true measure of a leader is not just measured by success of their organization, but by the measure of leaders they influence and develop to follow in their footsteps. Chris R. Stricklin

The purpose of this effort was not to resolve the eternal question of, “What is Leadership?” It was meant to spark thought, discussion and evolution of the concept. The definition of leadership should never be definitive and stagnant. It, as we, must continually evolve to the task at hand...with our ultimate task remaining to build the next generation of leaders.

What insight can you add to this list?

True leadership is not found in an individual, but the individuals developed. Chris R Stricklin