Photo by Steven Lelham on Unsplash

Leadership is a quality, a distinction. It’s something you’re either good at or you’re not. There’s no exact recipe for being a leader. In business, for instance, it’s good for the CEO to have charisma. Because the CEO is often the face of the company. But you can do without a charming personality and still make a truckload of cash if you have your game on. Attractiveness is a plus, but certainly not a requirement.

In sales, it pays to be convincing. Some convince through body language, others with their tone of voice. Master none and you can still sell if you dot the “i” with strong arguments. In sales, it doesn’t matter how you get there, as long as you get there.

Leadership comes in many forms, but there’s one attribute that a good leader must posses at all times. In the words of Norman Schwarzkopf…

Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.

– Norman Schwarzkopf Jr,, United States Army general

H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. (born 22 August 1934 – deceased 27 December 2012) was a United States Army general. While serving as Commander-in-Chief, United States Central Command, he led all coalition forces in the Persian Gulf War. He is a national hero and was presented with several military honors for his successful campaigns. According to Wikipedia, Schwarzkopf preferred to lead from the front, even willing to risk his own life for his subordinates, thus developing a reputation as a strong commander. Schwarzkopf died in December of 2012 at age 78 of complications due to pneumonia.