Leadership isn't just having a fancy title; it's about taking action, inspiring others, and making things better for everyone. But how can we get people, no matter where they are or what they've done, to be leaders? Well, there's no magic answer, but we can create an environment that helps people become great leaders.

Forget the "job-hopping millennial" stereotype. Leaving a job without a new one lined up isn't always about greener pastures. Sometimes, it's about escaping toxic environments, bad leadership, or a stagnant skillset.

But it's not just about escaping bad situations. We live in a world where technology throws curveballs daily. What was cutting-edge yesterday is legacy code tomorrow. Take those brilliant Fortran programmers of the 80s – without evolving to languages like Python and JavaScript, their worth faded like dial-up modems.

In the fast-paced world of business, it's easy to get lost in the solo grind, chasing individual goals. But beneath the surface, a hidden gem shines brighter than any personal achievement: teamwork. It's not just a magical buzzword; it's the secret ingredient that propels companies to phenomenal success, groundbreaking innovation, and sustainable growth.

Whether at lower or higher levels, leadership in business undergoes turnover approximately every eight to ten years. A great leader is always engaged in identifying and preparing someone to take their place. The legacy of some exceptional managers has been tarnished because their unprepared successors failed to maintain the same standards. These managers, who were not true leaders, neglected to prepare their successors for the role.

The value of integrity in a leader cannot be overstated and “leaders” without integrity are – honestly – not leaders. Integrity is an inner strength. It is that moral compass we all possess but sometimes ignore.

So, why is it so important for a leader to have integrity?

There are some interesting facts about great leaders. Some are simply born with it. Yes, they likely honed some of the skills that made them great leaders but occasionally there are naturally gifted leaders whom people like to follow. On the other hand, some leaders worked for years to hone their skills and develop the knowledge and skills that would lead others to follow them.

Either way, to be a leader, one must have followers. Just standing on a platform and shouting “Follow me for we shall slay dragons!” doesn’t encourage many people to follow - unless the shouter has a certain set of traits.