領導者的情況可以是千變萬化的，但領導者必須具備的要素卻大同小異。無論你是只負責一個部門，一個小公司，還是統領富可敵國的跨國大集團，有十大要點你不可不知。

1. Give direction. 確定公司運作的方向。
Stand in front of the mirror and say, "Here is our future" five times without stuttering. A leader's most important job at any organization is to lay out a road map to the future. If you can't provide that direction, you're a manager -- not a leader. Your vision must be real, substantive, and something people can believe in. Have the guts to make decisions while there's still risk in them. 即便是存在風險，你也必須敢于當機立斷。

2. Create a culture based on innovation and cooperation. 建立以“勇于創新、精誠合作”為基礎的企業文化。
Innovation is about more than designing snazzy products. It's also about improving customer experiences and services.

3. Keep it simple and focused. 工作應該目標明確、重點突出。
Identify five key areas that need improvement in your company or division and keep at them until you get them right. Your list might include such things as cost containment (成本控制), quality, or customer satisfaction. Set tough targets for each one, and hold people accountable for results. Measure, monitor, and review progress on a timely basis and reward results. 你必須及時考核、監督并審查工作的進程，并對取得成果者給予獎勵。

4. Honor your customer. 尊重客戶。
The Internet lets your customers sound off and tell you exactly what they like or don't like about your business. Listen to them. Get out into the markets you serve, and ask your customers for feedback. Make the necessary changes to improve service or else you may find yourself with fewer customers (and eventually, out of business).

5. Hire the best. 雇傭最杰出的人員。
Your staff is your most important asset -- in good times and in bad. Hire ambitious people who are team-builders and good communicators, who can lead the organization in turbulent times without panicking.

6. Treat employees like customers. 視員工為客戶。
If you want to inspire your customers, you must first inspire your employees. Invest heavily in training and mentoring (輔導). Explain the organization's goals so that everyone has the information and motivation to contribute. Nurture and reward the top 20％ of your staff who produce 80％ of the results, and actively weed out (清除出去) the bottom 10％ who give you 80％ of the headaches.

7. Commit to diversity and social responsibility. 注意保持多樣化及社會責任感。
Get beyond your dreaded mission statement and make these values central to how you do business.

8. Make technology your friend. 與科技交朋友。
Technology can transform what your company sells, how it operates, and how it prepares for the future. Don't even try to ignore it. Use it to create new products, tap new distribution channels, and improve communication with your customers and partners.

9. Groom future leaders. 培養未來的領導人。
Select 25 of your best people each year and put them through hell together on specific projects for four or five months.

10. Lead by example. 以身作則。
Keep your moral compass (道德準則) at all times especially when you need to make a difficult decision. Make sure you also have a management team that you trust and respect. Operate on the credo (金科玉律): Take care of your customers and the people who take care of your customers and the growth and profit will take care of themselves.

Do all of that and you'll have an organization that will make you proud.

（改編自：USATODAY 英語點津 Annabel 編輯）