Virtually every organization I am involved with is currently in a mode of seeking to deepen its leadership and pave the way for new generations of leaders. Inherent to that is discerning those individuals with strong leadership potential. There are all sorts of theories, ideas, and programs for doing that. Certainly things like honesty, integrity, and being beyond repraoch are key factors. When I look for future leaders, though, equal to these things, I am looking for focus. This applies in many ways, the most obvious of which is the ability to stay focused on the organization's vision and to continually push toward it. But I am also just looking for people who can stay above all the "white noise" of this world without allowing it to drag them down to a base level where they lose focus.

In virtually any organization, all sorts of "politics" exist and many people fall prey to those things, building up walls between people or, really, building up walls around themselves. When this happens, consensus, trust and faith become virtually impossible to build. Those with true leadership potential refuse to engage in gossip, back-biting, and, like I said, "politics." If someone else builds up a wall against them, they refuse to recognize it, instead going forward and creating a situation where they are continually chipping away at that wall.

I guess I shouldn't say that tigers can't change their stripes and gain this focus in a positive way but, if it doesn't come naturally to them, they will need to have someone point it out to them and then mentor them in a positive way if they are ever to excel in a leadership role.