The considerable pressure for results has motivated most companies to be pre-occupied with bottom line results while forgetting to build good leaders. But the need for good leadership in today's turbulent and changing times is imperative. The path to leadership that one takes differs from individual to individual. However, there are a few key traits we can focus on:

Take risks: Many people are scared of failure and don't like to tackle the tough issues. A good leader is decisive, willing to take chances, and yes, learn from failures.

Stand apart: Good leaders don't follow the crowd. It takes courage to stand up from the crowd and be a true individual. It is this exciting, as well as frightening, trait that makes success as a leader so elusive and rare.

Be a believer: When faced with problems, the leader chooses to learn from the experience and turn them into opportunities. Yesterday's defeats do not discourage leaders.

Overcome your fears: The fear of rejection keeps most people from pursuing opportunities, leading others, taking action and doing what they really want to do. If you want to be a good leader, it is imperative for you to conquer your fears.

Be adaptive: One key asset all leaders, young or old, share is their adaptive capacity. The ability to process new experiences, find their meaning and integrate them into one's life, is the signature skill of leaders.

Share your success: Leaders make people feel that they're at the heart of things, not at the periphery. A good leader makes his team feel that they make a difference to the success of the organisation.

While the world continues to change, the fundamental traits of good leaders remain constant. Good leadership, applied to your business, is the ultimate leverage.