The values that drive the choices of effective leaders are the very reasons most never will join politics (in today’s installment of very depressing thoughts)

• Results vs. Appearance: True leaders understand that achieving a mission will occasionally be at odds with maintaining one’s popularity. For true leaders (and politicians) the choice is obvious.
• Confidence vs Arrogance: True leaders have realistic self-appraisals which include both strengths and weaknesses. Politics, on the other hand, encourages participants to admit no weakness and laud their own successes ad nauseam
• Team vs Individual: True leaders recognize that highlighting the accomplishments of their team nurtures additional success. Additionally, a motivated and unified team is the highest compliment for a true leader. Conversely, politicians minimize the work of others and over-emphasize their own contributions.