The cry for leadership has never been more widespread. We sense a lack of leadership in many of our day-to-day encounters.

- Many businesses are peopled by the less-than-ambitious who conduct themselves as if the customer were an irritant.

- We watch as our elected officials fumble with the crises of the day, benignly responding to ethical issues, financial woes and security threats.

- Moral fortitude is treated as old fashioned.

- Entitlement is an American right by residential status, regardless of citizenship, worth ethic or contribution.

The drive to be first, best or most, in any accomplishment, takes certain leadership skills and abilities. At every position and every level in your organization, leadership is a must.

Leadership development comes through:

- education and experience
- attitude and aptitude
- motivation and desire

In a family business we must learn to measure leadership skill and abilities from two perspectives - the hard skills of systems and operations, and the soft skills of people management.

Leadership development is first and foremost a self responsibility. A good leader is self aware and actively seeks development opportunities. They ask for constructive criticism and look for additional avenues to make a contribution. A good leader knows his capabilities, understands the limitations of his current skills and strives to grow in abilities.

Continued tomorrow.