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Chapter 13

CONCLUSIONS

For in the end, it is impossible to have a great life unless it is a meaningful
life. And it is very difficult to have a meaningful life without meaningful
work. Perhaps, then, you might gain that rare tranquility that comes from
knowing that you’ve had a hand in creating something of intrinsic
excellence that makes a contribution. Indeed, you might even gain that
deepest of all satisfactions knowing that your short time here on this earth

has been well spent, and that it mattered. Jim Collins.

After considerable research on the topic of effective leadership and
building leadership capacity, the conclusion of this author is that the key is

focusing on results and performance rather than on self-interest and self-
gratification. Getting results, however, also involves expending energy on
relationships within the organization, for it takes “a village” to accomplish
its goals and strategies. It is about striving to make a positive difference in
the organization so that the organization can make a positive difference in
the community or region it serves.

Effective leadership is also less about learning “techniques” and more
about building character. As stated by Frances Hesselbein: The leader for
today and the future will be focused on how to be – how to develop quality,
character, mind-set, values, principles, and courage. 340 Strong leaders will be
visionary, with a belief that they can and should be shaping the future.

And, they will act on those beliefs by “walking the talk.”

Here lies a man who attracted better people into his service than he was
himself. Andrew Carnegie’s epitaph.

A final thought from a quote by David Mahoney: Success is not so much
achievement as achieving. Refuse to join the cautious crowd that plays not to lose;

play to win.

340 Frances Hesselbein, “The ‘How to Be’ Leader,” The Leader of the Future. San Francisco CA: Jossey-
Bass Publishers, 1996, p.122.

David Kolzow 310