Leaders, whether supervisors or chief executives, face many of the same daily challenges. How leaders respond to these challenges differentiates average or even good leaders from great leaders. Anyone can be a better leader. Following the points outlined below is there first step to improving your leadership effectiveness.

Listen

A big part of every leader's job is to listen. Many leaders are very poor listeners. An effective leader must learn to listen: to employees, customers or clients, professional peers and others. The more a leader listens, the more she will have better points of reference for any issue or decision that arises.

Communicate

Some leaders like to talk to groups. Others like to talk to individuals. And others prefer letters or e-mails. There is no one right way to communicate. The point is to communicate. It must be direct, clear and to the point. Say what you mean. It is easy to get caught up in business or professional jargon. Regardless of the audience, make sure you communicate thoughtfully and clearly.

Decisions: Gut vs. Analysis

The MBA revolution has produced many business leaders who require mountains of data and reports to make even the smallest decision. There is a growing movement among leaders to "go with the gut" when it comes to decisions large and small. Is there a right way to make decisions? Frankly, the best decisions evolve from some level of analysis plus experience (or "gut" instinct). The point is to make decisions. Make them often. Too may leaders today avoid making decisions and defer to teams, committees and task forces. While input may come from these bodies, ultimately the leader should make the final decision.

Example

Most great leaders have someone they look up to - whether an historical figure or a mentor. A model for leadership is not only valuable - it is essential. At the same time, every leader - regardless of position or stature - should mentor others and serve as an example. An effective leader will want others to live up to and carry on their style and techniques in the future.

Priorities

Every leader wakes up every day with a "to do list". Some items on the list are at their discretion. Others are imposed by others: customers, investors, subordinates, other external or internal bodies. Are you a prisoner to someone else's priorities for your day? It is up to the leader to insure that every block of "work time" every day focuses on actions essential to meeting and exceeding the short and long term objectives of the office or position. This does not mean no time with family or to exercise or to socialize. What it does mean is that working hours - whether from 8-5 or from 5-8 should be focused and deliberately spent on activities which will serve - in the end - to meet and exceed specific performance objectives.

Be True to Yourself

Imitating Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Nancy Pelosi or Hillary Clinton will not serve any aspiring leader well. Your style of speaking, dress and more evolved from your family background, education and career-to-date. Be yourself. By imitating the gestures, speech patterns, attire or other mannerisms of someone who is famous, you are only making yourself a caricature of that person - and that does not translate into effective leadership.

Walk the Talk

Today one only has to look at the front page of any newspaper to see examples in business, government and the non-profit world of leaders who are not role models. These leaders are the height of "do as I say, don't do as I do". Leadership by example should be one of the most fundamental goals for leaders at all levels regardless of their profession or field. Employees at all levels perform better for leaders who "walk the talk".

Leaders are everywhere. And yet great leaders are rare. Our society rewards those who lie, cheat and steal - to and from employees, investors, constituents and customers. The fundamentals of effective leadership are attainable by every woman and man who has the courage, self-discipline and integrity to follow these simple - yet challenging principles.