Attributes of True Leaders
Attributes of True Leaders
Leaders come in many different molds and what make a good leader in one industry might be completely different in another industry. Likewise, while many leaders possess a lot of the same attributes, not every lme. So, what attributes make true leaders? The answers will depend on the setting and upon whom you ask. I spend much of my time working with individuals that are great leaders in many different industries and professions. I often ask these individuals what they believe makes a true leader. I recently asked Jonathan Coslet, the Chief Investment Officer of TPG, what types of attributes he looks for when he evaluates a potential leader.
Experienced Leader
In addition to acting as the Chief Investment Officer of TPG, Jonathan also serves on the firm’s Executive Committee, and has been with TPG since its inception in 1993. Before he joined the firm, Jonathan worked at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, and before that, he spent time at Drexel Burnham Lambert. Jonathan graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where he received his BS in economics and finance, and was also Valedictorian. He earned his MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar. Jonathan also currently serves on the Board of Stanford Children’s Hospital, the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research and the Stanford Medical Advisory Council.
Good Leaders Have a Purpose
Jonathan explained that true leadership is very rare. He has seen dozens of CEOs in his time and some of them have been phenomenal leaders, while others have been less than remarkable. However, as he has considered these different leaders he has come to the conclusion that the leaders that were the most compelling to him had several traits and characteristics in common. Good leaders are always motivated by a purpose, not by money or ego, but rather by a reason for being. He said that purpose is what drives them every day and in everything they do. Secondly, he said good leaders always lead by example. In other words, while their words might be powerful, their actions are even more powerful.
Good Leaders Are Accountable to Results
Jonathan said good leaders also relate well to people because they are authentic and they are warm, even though they can be tough. They are also accountable to their purpose and their objective. That means even though they can relate to people, they still always answer to their results. “Those are rare things to see, but when you get that combination you can really have powerful leaders. That could be really powerful leaders like Gandhi or Martin Luther King, or it could be a business leader like Walt Disney who started a company because he loved children. He really wanted to change the world for children. Those are the kinds of people that are rare but when you find them it’ an amazing experience to get behind them.”
Johnathan Coslet’s American Dreams Radio Interview.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
We hope you found this article about “Attributes of True Leaders” helpful. If you have questions or need expert tax or family office advice that’s refreshingly objective (we never sell investments), please contact us or visit our Family office page or our website at www.GROCO.com. Unfortunately, we no longer give advice to other tax professionals gratis.
To receive our free newsletter, contact us here.
Subscribe our YouTube Channel for more updates.
Alan Olsen, is the Host of the American Dreams Show and the Managing Partner of GROCO.com. GROCO is a premier family office and tax advisory firm located in the San Francisco Bay area serving clients all over the world.
Alan L. Olsen, CPA, Wikipedia Bio
GROCO.com is a proud sponsor of The American Dreams Show.
The American Dreams show was the brainchild of Alan Olsen, CPA, MBA. It was originally created to fill a specific need; often inexperienced entrepreneurs lacked basic information about raising capital and how to successfully start a business.
Alan sincerely wanted to respond to the many requests from aspiring entrepreneurs asking for the information and introductions they needed. But he had to find a way to help in which his venture capital clients and friends would not mind.
The American Dreams show became the solution, first as a radio show and now with YouTube videos as well. Always respectful of interview guest’s time, he’s able to give access to individuals information and inspiration previously inaccessible to the first-time entrepreneurs who need it most.
They can listen to venture capitalists and successful business people explain first-hand, how they got to where they are, how to start a company, how to overcome challenges, how they see the future evolving, opportunities, work-life balance and so much more..
American Dreams discusses many topics from some of the world’s most successful individuals about their secrets to life’s success. Topics from guest have included:
Creating purpose in life / Building a foundation for their life / Solving problems / Finding fulfillment through philanthropy and service / Becoming self-reliant / Enhancing effective leadership / Balancing family and work…
MyPaths.com (Also sponsored by GROCO) provides free access to content and world-class entrepreneurs, influencers and thought leaders’ personal success stories. To help you find your path in life to true, sustainable success & happiness. It’s mission statement:
In an increasingly complex and difficult world, we hope to help you find your personal path in life and build a strong foundation by learning how others found success and happiness. True and sustainable success and happiness are different for each one of us but possible, often despite significant challenges.
Our mission at MyPaths.com is to provide resources and firsthand accounts of how others found their paths in life, so you can do the same.
Dealing with IRS Collections
Dealing with IRS Collections There are times when taxpayers are unable to pay amounts owed the IRS on a tax return or as a result of an audit. Presuming there is no disagreement about the tax liability, just a lack of funds to pay, the taxpayer is best served by avoiding the collection process. There…
Tax Time Tips for Mortgage Holders
Tax Time Tips for Mortgage Holders Tax Time Tips for Mortgage Holders, it’s that time of year again when numbers such as 1040, W-2 and INT-1099 become all too familiar to millions of people. One of the benefits of holding a mortgage on your house is the ability to claim certain deductions that can assist…
CA Credit for New Home Purchase – Fund Running Out
CA Credit for New Home Purchase – Fund Running Out By Ron Cohen, CPA, MST Partner Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co., LLP California allows a nonrefundable credit against net tax equal to the lesser of 5% (.05) of the purchase price of the qualified principal residence or ten thousand dollars ($10,000). But only a limited amount…
More Work for Accountants! President Obama’s Corporate Tax Proposal
More Work for Accountants! President Obama’s Corporate Tax Proposal By Ron Cohen, CPA, MST Partner Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co., LLP In the White House summary of corporate tax proposals: http://media.npr.org/documents/2009/may/whitehouse_taxhavens.pdf At “Backgrounder” Article I. Sec. 1, it states: “Current Law Companies Can Defer Paying Taxes on Overseas Profits Until Later, While Taking Tax Deductions…