Flexibility is key to being an exceptional leader. Competent leaders develop through a process of introspection, self-education and experience. Therefore, it would follow that a business leader needs to be resilient to be able to evolve constantly. I am also a firm believer in leading by example and in the fact that the best way to interact with employees is to be honest and upfront.

Effective communication is the cornerstone to business leadership and being transparent in all communication is the secret to empowerment. I have found three critical ways that will aid any leader in winning trust and confidence of employees:

• Help them understand the company's overall business strategy,
• Help them understand how they contribute to achieving business objectives and,
• Share information with them regularly-on how the organisation is doing and how their contribution is adding value-in comparison to strategic business objectives.

A conscientious leader would make his people feel that they are at the very heart of things. The actions of this leader will make each employee feel involved and act towards the overall success of the organisation, because it gives meaning to their work and brings home the larger perspective.

But then, effective communication works both ways-to lead from the front, a leader must be willing to listen to advice, suggestions and ideas from all employees. At the same time, a leader is one who can take responsibility for all actions and decisions made by the organisation.

As the leading motivational speaker, philosopher and entrepreneur Jim Rohn said, "A good objective of leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well, and to help those who are doing well to do even better."