Be a Better Business Leader

Napoleon once said: “One bad general does better than two good ones.” It takes a moment for the
sense of this to register, but it is the same as our modern saying that “too many cooks spoil the broth”.
Having one set of instructions, even if they are flawed, is preferable to having two sets of perfect
directions that, when enacted together without reference to each other, cause havoc.
This is the principle of leadership in a nutshell. It is all about maintaining focus and creating positive
outcomes.
The same can be applied to individuals who strive to become leaders. There needs to be focus and
determination. Advice can be given, but does not have to be heeded. History is full of leaders whose
beginnings were disastrous, and had they listened to the naysayers of this world, the world would be a
poorer place today.
Leadership can be learned. Some people are certainly born with leadership skills, but this is not a
prerequisite for becoming a leader. More important is dedication to the art of leadership. Leadership
involves understanding how to inspire, influence and control how people behave. It is not a simple
matter of shouting, or having a deep and booming voice; or being great in physical stature; Gandhi
possessed none of these attributes, but managed to lead a nation and inspire millions around the world.