General “Storming” Norman Schwarzkopf, the man who led the US army into operations desert shield and desert storm during the first Gulf conflict, in 1992, and was commander in chief of 800,000 men, said there are “basic leadership rules and ideas that apply to any type or size of organisation". Two rules - “do what's right” and “make things happen” - are the key to successful 21st century leadership, he added.

Leadership, he opined, is a complex issue, one that is beyond logical definition. “Leadership and managership are not the same thing,” he said. “Managers are often terrible leaders because they forget the fundamental element of their organisations ñ people.

“Leaders lead people who have dreams and aspirations just like themselves. You are not a “leader” just because you're called boss or you sign the paycheck. The single most important aspect of leadership is character, which involves a sense of duty, values, ethics, integrity and morality that inspires people to willingly do that which they would normally not do.”

He added: “99 per cent of leadership failures in life and business are not failures in confidence, but failures in character, be that greed, corruption, adultery or whatever. The ethical climate of any organisation is established by its leader. You have be seen to have a higher set of standard ñ to be special.

“You also need to recognise the need for action, make them happen, and ultimately take full responsibility for these actions. When the team wins, give credit to the team, when the team loses be prepared to take the blame. Always make a decision, even if it proves to be a wrong one ñ or you will revisit the same problems year after year.”

Schwarzkopf said that to have the ability to lead a team under bad overall leadership is a great attribute. “Never pass the bad things of the leadership above you down to your team ñ be the shield. You can often learn more from a bad leader than a good leader.”

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