Leadership is one of the most talked and written about business topics. Whole careers have been made with a wide variety of ‘systems’ and models, some good and some bad.

Sometimes simplicity is wonderful! Dwight Eisenhower used to demonstrate leadership to his staff using a piece of string. He’d put it on the table and say: Pull it and it will follow you anywhere; Push it and it will go nowhere.

I love this concept because it is simple and easily demonstrable; everyone that sees it understands it. I have seen so many systems, plans, and methods that are overly complex and equally hard to understand. It’s no wonder most people can’t put them into practice successfully.

I know, I know…leadership is more than just pulling a string. But think about it. Our ability to make people want to follow, to want to contribute, to want to achieve the same goals and objectives is what separates great leaders from the rest.

Great leaders inspire their people; they want to contribute!

Great leaders think positively!

Great leaders work with their people; their people don’t work for them!

Great leaders encourage first and always, and are critical when they know they must be. And, they are critical in a way that is helpful to the individual, not detrimental!

Great leaders find the reasons why someone is not successful rather than assuming, blaming, or degrading the person. And then they help that person!

And most of all, great leaders are great listeners!

What a concept, someone who actually listens to what the other person has to say.

One of the defining characteristics of great leaders is this ability to listen and an equally developed ability to ask the right questions. One Chairman of the Board, whom I reported to, was amazingly adept at listening to a presentation and then asking a short but incisive question that would bring forth more information and insight than the entire presentation itself. He could find out more about someone in 3-4 questions than anyone I have ever met.

And yes, there are those people that cannot be motivated or made to be productive. But, great leaders know and believe they are the minority, not the majority, and act accordingly!

Stephen A. Burgess is founder and CEO of Corporate Toolbelt, a premier business strategy, business planning, and advisory firm. Steve’s advice is highly sought after by entrepreneurs, business owners and companies of all sizes. He works together with clients to uncover the power to maximize their growth and profits! Discover more at www.thebusinessprophet.com