What makes an exceptional leader? This question has been on the top of my mind since becoming the President of Jacobs Management Group, Inc. at the beginning of 2010. It is a privilege to lead such a high integrity recruiting organization and I want to make sure I honor Laura's 22 year legacy of exceptional clients and candidates. In studying leadership, I have identified 10 top attributes. What would you put on your list?

A Leader...

• Creates trust.
  Their colleagues and clients can count on their motives and know that they come from a place of worthy intent. Leaders also build trust by establishing credibility and demonstrating they have the needed skills and capabilities.
• Invents the Future.
  A leader excels at creating a vision for the future and communicating that vision to their team.
• Enrolls and Inspires.
  A leader is able to have their team see the possibilities for themselves and how they can contribute to the organization. This is more than just inspiring action, because a leader can actually be inspiring inaction (as in the case of a cease fire situation).
• Serves.
  A leader serves their team, providing them the tools, resources and coaching they need to succeed.
• Takes Ultimate Responsibility.
  In the end - how it goes rests on the leader's shoulders. Was the goal achieved? Was it the right one? Was the team satisfied in the process? A leader takes complete ownership.
• Develops Leaders.
  This is a trait that I think is a major difference between "Good Leaders" and "Great Leaders". "Great Leaders" build leaders and take pride when their team members excel and are promoted.
• Creates the Context.
  They know how to start from a blank slate and create an empowering context for those working with them.
• Focuses on Solutions.
  A leader always asks the question - "How can we...?", vs. "Why can't this be done?
• Lives with Integrity.
  They commit to their word and do what they say they will do, even when no one is looking.
• Builds lasting relationships.
  They move up the relationship ladder through professional peers and become trusted advisers.

What are your top 10 and how would you prioritize mine? I would appreciate your feedback and will publish the results in the future. Please email me at ckraft@jacobsmgt.com.