Mackay: True leadership spells everything out

U.S. president and five-star general Dwight Eisenhower used a simple device to illustrate the art of leadership. Laying an ordinary piece of string on a table, he'd illustrate how you could easily pull it in any direction. Then he'd push it and show how it didn't go anywhere, saying that people were the same way.

Leadership at any successful organization needs to be plainly defined. Here's how I see it:

L is for loyalty. A leader must be loyal to the organization and leave no question that he or she is committed to its success. Loyalty is the distinguishing quality of winners. That goes for everyone — entrepreneurs, owners, managers and employees, no exceptions. A leader models loyalty so that it works top down, bottom up and side-to-side, and at all times.

E is for enthusiasm. Leaders know that enthusiasm is contagious, and they help spread it around. If you are excited about hitting the pavement every day, it will show. And that generates enthusiasm among your employees and customers.

There is one thing more contagious than enthusiasm, and that is the lack of enthusiasm.

Focus on the positive, even if it is a small thing. Train your brain to look for the silver lining, and then be amazed at how your improved attitude leads to enthusiasm that permeates the workplace.

A is for adversity. Truly effective leaders accept adversity as a condition of doing business. I have never met a successful person who hasn't had to overcome either a little or a lot of adversity. Don't be afraid of adversity — handled properly, it makes you stronger. It helps you grow. Problems and people can't stop you. The only thing that can stop you is YOU.

E is for example. We lead by example, whether in business, family or friendships. It doesn't matter if you're raising children or managing people, setting a good example is one of the most important leadership skills. You have to practice what you preach. How you conduct yourself says more than any instructions you may give. Set high personal standards and expect the same from your staff.

R is for resilience. Failure is all too common in business and in life. Anyone who has ever run a business wakes up regularly with nightmares about the what-ifs. Successful people are resilient. They don't let hard times turn into end times. Let them lead to your best times.

S is for sincerity. Say what you mean and mean what you say. "Go team go!" only works if you are sincerely committed to what you are doing.

H is for heart. A good decision must factor in the human element. When your head and heart say the same thing, you can bet it's the right answer. There's no denying the heart of a leader. Use your head, to be sure, but don't ignore what your heart is telling you.

I is for integrity. Integrity begins at the top. Leaders must set the example — inspiring employees to do what is right, rather than what is easy. We must clearly define what is expected throughout the organization, ensuring that integrity is first and foremost in our decisionmaking. Enduring leaders know that integrity is not optional.

Mackay's Moral: Great leaders know how to "spell out" goals and expectations.