So you've come in search of leadership training.

Perhaps you're a top performer who is looking for an edge? Maybe you're a new manager and you want to make the jump from just being a manager to becoming a true leader? Could it be you've been thrust into a new role because you're the best available but you don't think you have what it takes?

Regardless of your reasons, you want to grow, develop and make a meaningful contribution and for that I applaud you. As you search for different types of leadership training programs you're going to find that each program emphasizes a particular area, touting it as the "one thing" that will make you a great leader.

Some leadership training programs say goal setting is most important, some say problem solving is the key, while some say people development is the be all and end all. Although each of these skills sets is vital to leadership success, not one of them is "the one thing" you'll need to master in order to become a great leader.

So am I saying there is no "one thing" that will help you become a great leader?

Far from it.

There is actually one thing you need to understand before you can become a great leader and I believe you already know, deep down inside, what it is.

Character.

Leaders must have character to be truly effective. Leadership training, in the traditional sense, is not designed to develop character. Leadership training is much more effective when used as a "finishing school" to share techniques and tools for taking the character and talent you already have and refining it.

So does that change your mind about leadership training? Or perhaps, deep down inside, you've had some concerns about your own character? Have you made compromises to gain the approval of others? Have you gone in the opposite direction of integrity in order to maintain the status quo? Have you taken on the responsibilities of others rather than helping them develop or holding them accountable?

Don't think for a minute that you're not cut out for leadership because you've fallen a few times. What you've experienced is hardly uncommon. Ethical dilemmas surface all the time in our professional and personal lives. When you place more value on external influences than solid principles, your character takes a back seat and very little good ever comes from that.

You can conquer these dilemmas, but you must do something very important.

Before you participate in any kind of leadership training, make the decision to find out who you really are so your character can come out of hiding and back into the light.

Once you've discovered who you are and you can be sure your actions are guided by character versus external influences, you'll be able to contribute all of yourself to the mission of becoming a great leader. Leadership training will then become an excellent way to help develop additional skills that will make you that much more effective as a leader.