Managers are people who do things right, while leaders are people who do the right thing," goes a famous saying. So, the mantra behind being a good leader is-Leaders should not think of themselves as managers or supervisors, but as "team leaders". By understanding the personal work preferences and motivations of their team, real leaders can earn respect and trust.

A great leader is one who takes decisions in consultation with his team, one who allows his team to decide how the task should be tackled and who should perform it. He should look at everything in its totality. He should ensure the continual improvement of his team, responsive to the needs of the organisation. Thinking global, adapting oneself to the fast changing environment of the corporate world and keeping pace with the changing technology are also important qualities of a successful leader.

A good leader should not only encourage team participation, but also delegate wisely. He should never lose sight of the fact that he bears the crucial responsibility of leadership. He must value group discussions and inputs from his team. He should motivate his team by empowering them to direct themselves, and guide them with a loose rein. A leader should respect and encourage each individual's ability, creativity, entrepreneurship, initiative, opportunity, responsibility, and also foster continuous self-improvement.

An organisation can become dynamic and grow only through the efforts and competencies of its people. A good leader should aim at developing a culture that fosters new ideas and a spirit of enterprise, where everyone takes initiative and calculated risks, experiments, innovates and makes things happen.

Power does not make anyone a leader, it simply makes them a boss. Leadership makes people want to achieve higher goals and objectives, while bosses merely tell people to accomplish a task or an objective.