Make no mistake, good leadership is not about schemes, tricks, or smoke and mirrors. Good leadership results from behaviors and actions that come from character, which is grounded in principle.

Good leadership is not possible without good leaders. These leaders aren't necessarily leaders by position. Any team or workgroup has cream that inevitably rises to the top. This cream may take the form of a highly skilled performer, a thought leader, a motivator, or a loyal team player. Regardless of the source, the good leadership qualities that any of these leaders display are based on their adherence to a number of natural principles.

Let's start with the understanding that integrity and accountability come first. Good leaders know their responsibilities and don't shy away from them. Honesty is natural for them and they practice "The Golden Rule." When they make a mistake, they own up to it and make it right. More importantly, they learn from their failures and inspire their teammates to do the same.

From that foundation, good leadership relies on building trust as the path to influence. Leaders develop great relationships and this allows them to influence their peers and subordinates in a positive way to move the team towards its objective. What follows integrity, accountability, and building trust is effective decision making.

Good leadership never suffers from paralysis from analysis. Good leaders gather the facts quickly, determine possible outcomes, weigh consequences and make the best possible decision without unnecessary delay. They also understand that flexibility is necessary because the course of action they choose may not immediately deliver the desired outcome. The ability to alter course, but stay true to the mission is vital.

Good leadership also emphasizes growth and development and this applies to leaders as well as followers. Good leaders have one or more people they call mentors. Their mentors have shaped them, counseled them and inspired them to be more and do more. Good leaders know that the development process never ends for them or their followers. They embrace their lifelong journey of learning.

Along those same lines, good leadership realizes that the best way to engage followers is to use their strengths effectively. A follower's strengths may be skills, behaviors, or even background. Good leaders take advantage of their followers' diversity and individuality and practice being inclusive. Everyone is encouraged, and even expected, to give the best of themselves.

Good leadership, grounded in principle, boils down to consistently taking the road less traveled. It's easy to make demands, give the same specific instructions to everyone, create penalties for poor performance, and focus on the end result rather than the path. It's hard work building trust, creating influence, developing people according to their needs, rewarding success and valuing principled behaviors as well as positive results. Still, good leaders know that much greater dividends are paid when they take actions based on their character.