Strategies for Personal, Organizational and Professional Leadership Success

Human beings have reflected on becoming and serving as successful leaders for thousands of years. Most people agree that leadership skills are composed of both art and science. Leaders who are performance-focused and developmental in their leadership styles characteristically are concerned with the well-being and success of their employees. Effective leaders attempt to develop their people through effective communication, motivation, vision, and interpersonal skills. Furthermore, these leaders develop and empower effective teams in their departments and organizations.

Based on a review of literature and the combined 100 years of experience among the authors, this article’s philosophical, scholarly, and practical aspects build on one another, proceeding from general to specific, to provide some essential imperatives for successful leadership. More specifically, we look at the characterization of leadership and success from a common-sense point of view. We try to answer the question: can a person be an effective leader and be truly perceived as “successful” in society? We provide reflections on this topic along with relevant practical recommendations; and readers are encouraged to act in an efficient, efficacious, profitable, and honorable manner; and not just for this coming New Year, but to live and act this appropriate way for the rest of one’s life. Finally, the article offers specific suggestions, and strategies for successful, ethical and sustainable leadership.

Keywords: Success; Leadership; Art; Science; Social intelligence; Professionalism; Situational awareness