By ANN ELLIOTT

Egos derail effective leadership.  Ego driven leaders that are more concerned with personal success than building a successful business put the long-term sustainability of their business at risk.

It is a problem when everything revolves around the ego driven leader.  The limitations of the leader stymie the growth of the business.  Success depends on one person.  Blame usually shifts to everyone else.

Many ego led organizations have these identifiers:

1.) Employees do just enough to get by to get a pay check

2.) Leaders devalue personal and professional development

3.) The major source of information is the rumor mill

4.) Top down management with strong control is the norm

5.) Anxiety replaces trust

6.) Disagreement with management has consequences

In the legendary WIZARD OF OZ, it is easy to that the wizard went to great lengths to hide his vulnerabilities.  Being afraid to admit you do not have all the answers requires courage.  Inspired leaders surround themselves with strong players.

Inspired leaders have a passion to build a business that succeeds into the future long past their involvement.  They understand managing the tension between meeting the needs today of customers, employees, suppliers, and the community while keeping an eye on building for the future.

Do you recognize these hallmarks of inspired leaders?

• Invite others to define a vision of what you intend to create together

• Hire talented people

• Invest in training and development for the people you hire

• Participate in life long learning

• Allow employees to excel and support them in doing it

• Encourage honest communication at all levels

• Equally apply standards of excellence to everyone

Inspired leaders are building something bigger than they are.  The opportunity for business leaders in the 21st century is to build the future now with their choices and actions today.  Groom the next generations of leaders to lead with inspiration not ego.

Ann Elliott, leadership expert, is founder of The Berkana Company, a business coaching company that works with successful businesses that are leaving money on the table. Contact her at (803) 254-0193 or visit www.berkanacompany.com.