Isn’t it true that people are an organization’s most appreciable asset?  What I’m learning is the longer I’m in the seat the more value I need to place on people — in particular the top 20%.

When it is all said and done, I believe leadership isn’t about strategy, efficiency, marketing systems or high quality products — it’s about people!

We lead people — not manage them.  Our people skills are the leader’s most critical asset.  Developing, practicing, and honing people skills are a good investment of our time as a leader.

There is no substitute for the leader who is good with people.  If you are good with people you can lead in a variety of contexts.

Bottom line and a good reminder for us all: you can have people skills and not be a good leader, but you cannot be a good leader without people skills.