Leadership matters.

• Author: Darling, Nathan
• Position: President's Podium

Though it takes many forms, the essence of leadership is vision, stewardship and collaboration. And, leadership matters.

I first want to recognize and congratulate the International LMA and Chapter Board members who were elected in September (see page 26). These leaders represent a cross-section of our diverse professional community, and they volunteer generously of their time and resources for the benefit of LMA and its members. Please join me in offering them well-deserved thanks, and cooperation in the years ahead.

LMA, like law firms and other companies, actively engages in the process of transitioning its elected leaders into service. As it does so, it considers the ongoing implementation of business plans and goals. This year, those of us in the United States are heading into a highly contentious election that many pundits are calling a referendum on leadership. Now is a perfect time for to reflect on and talk about the oft-misunderstood (and, more frequently, undervalued) concept of leadership.

Examples abound of great leaders with completely different styles. This, no doubt, adds to the confusion when we seek to find, choose or become leaders. Are solitary intellectuals the best leaders? Glad-handing power networkers? Titans of industry? Coaches and den mothers?

The pat answer is that leadership is situational--based on time and circumstance. However, when we dig a little deeper we uncover some fundamental attributes that all great leaders show:

Vision. Leaders can (and often do!) have their own vision. But to achieve greatest success, they must also be...