Mark Rivers
The Corner Man column October 2007
Word Count: 478
Written by Lorne Chase

Great leaders set the gold standard

I like to use the analogy that great leaders are like gold; they have raw potential until they are refined. It is through the refining process that the value of gold increases. A malleable precious metal, gold can be moulded into many different shapes, and what began as an unrefined substance eventually becomes one of the world’s most valuable commodities.

During their careers great leaders are moulded by the situations they encounter and the choices they make. It is a refining process that separates the truly great leaders from the rest. Those who respond with consistent, successful results while making sometimes tough decisions are setting the gold standard for others to emulate.

These individuals realize that to be relevant, to inspire others to follow them, requires a commitment to delivering unique value all the time. By doing so they acquire a reputation as a visionary leader; everything they do results in business growth and increased prosperity. They have an aura of success that attracts the best people, so they can build and develop outstanding executive teams.

Leaders like this view their careers as a personal challenge to excel. They constantly look for ways to create value that is distinctive and unique and that will differentiate them from other leaders. We turn to these individuals in times of crisis and uncertainty; it is their guidance we rely on. Just as we put our money in gold during tough economic times, we depend on great leaders to find the answers and make the breakthrough thinking that will lead to success.   

Yet it would be misleading to say that great leaders are naturally inclined to succeed. It is their ability to go through the refining process by questioning, evaluating, and examining all the options available to them that makes them unique. They are not afraid to ask the hard questions or make the difficult choices. They put themselves in positions where they can hear opposing opinions, debate what actions to take, and have the difficult conversations that many leaders avoid.

There are adverse circumstances that shape great leaders too, many that could be classified as trials by fire. Yet these individuals have the ability to stand firm and work through what are oftentimes overwhelmingly complex issues. When the breakthrough thinking comes, it isn’t like a blinding flash of light. Instead it comes from research, observation, discussion and reflection; they have discovered where the opportunities are and have identified how to capitalize on them.

Perhaps it is this ability that goes unheralded. When a great leader articulates a decision, it is always a fully formed vision. We never get to see the melding of disparate thoughts and ideas, the weighing of opportunities, the oftentimes solitary process of refining that vision. What we see is the end result: the crystallization of ground-breaking ideas from a leader with the golden touch.

In Your Corner,
Mark Rivers
CEO
Presidents of Enterprising Organizations (PEO)

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