Forbes Magazine reports that leadership can be found missing in an organization when the following problems are noted, according to Cynthia McCauley, who is a senior fellow at the Center for Creative Leadership:

• There is lack of agreement on priorities.
• People feel as if they are being pulled in different directions.
• There's inertia; people may be busy, but they aren't making progress.
• Things are in disarray: deadlines are missed, rework is required, there's duplication of effort.
• People feel isolated from one another.
• Groups compete with one another.
• Only the easy things get done.
• Everyone is just asking "what's in it for me?"
• People are not "walking the talk."

Sometimes a single individual plays a major role. Sometimes it simply emerges in the conversations and interactions among people working together, according to McCauley. "There are no easy formulas."

According to Dr. Rick Johnson, founder of CEO Strategist: "The key to being a real leader is the ability to influence the influencers. You have to touch people in such a way that they can reach out and touch other people. Leadership isn't something you learn from a book or a college course. It is developed over time. Inspiring greatness in others is a phrase often used to define leadership responsibility. This isn't the easiest challenge you will ever face. Real leaders take the time necessary to learn from their own failures; to comprehend consequences and develop scar tissue. Scar tissue is evidence of experience."

Additionally, Johnson says, "Effective leaders go through a never ending development process that includes education, self study, training, experience and coaching and mentoring from one or several individuals that have a very positive influence on their personal development. Real Leaders have the ability to influence, inspire and motivate others to accomplish specific objectives. It includes creating a culture that helps direct the organization in such a way that it makes it cohesive and coherent keeping short term tactical goals and objectives in alignment with long term strategic initiatives. The success of leadership in this process is directly influenced by the individual leaders' beliefs, values, ethics, character, knowledge and skills."

"Effective leaders are excellent listeners that have tremendous questioning skills. The power of influence is often in the question and not in the answers. Effective leaders understand this concept. A common trait found in every successful leader…is insatiable curiosity…about their markets, their business, their industry, their employees and what it takes to grow, prosper and create competitive advantage," Johnson says.

According to Bloomberg BusinessWeek, the demand for ethical leadership is growing, yet the supply remains low. Ethical leaders distinguish themselves by doing that which is inconvenient, unpopular, and even temporarily unprofitable in the service of long-term health and value. Ethical leaders also consider other solutions (e.g., sharing best practices with suppliers) that may require an investment but generate more value over the long term. Ethical leaders extend trust to their workers, creating the conditions necessary to empower employees, suppliers, and even customers to take the risks necessary to create game-changing innovations.

According to Psychology Today, Paula Davis-Laack, J.D., a stress management and work/life performance expert, provides seven tips for those who yearn to be real leaders:

1. They put relationships first. Successful leaders not only build networks, but they also nurture the connections they make. They make time for their clients and colleagues. They make time for people they mentor. They make time for their personal relationships. It takes a great deal of energy to keep connections thriving, but successful people are willing to put in the time and the effort.

2.  They know that meaning matters. Successful leaders know how their life's work fits into a broader, more significant context.

3. They use humor. Successful leaders deal with tough stuff, but they fight back with humor. Early studies of humor and health showed that humor strengthened the immune system, reduced pain, and reduced stress levels. Since humor builds positive emotion, it can also help reduce feelings of anger, depression and anxiety. 

4. They lead and live with their strengths. Research by the Gallup Organization shows that the most effective leaders invest in their strengths, surround themselves with the right people to maximize their team, and understand their followers' needs. Successful leaders understand that they cannot be everything to everybody and remain effective; instead, they have a keen awareness of how to leverage their unique blend of strengths, skills, and talents.

5. They manage pessimistic thinking. Successful leaders reign in their pessimistic thinking in three ways. First, they focus their time and energy on where they have control. They know when to move on if certain strategies aren't working or if they don't have control in a specific area. Second, they know that "this too shall pass." Successful leaders "embrace the suck" and understand that while the ride might be bumpy at times, it won't last forever. Finally, great leaders are good at compartmentalizing. They don't let an adversity in one area of their life seep over into other areas of their life.

6. They make their own luck. The concept of "grit" — perseverance and passion for long-term goals, is not new, but recent research has shed interesting light on the concept. Successful leaders pursue goals with passion, don't back down from challenges, don't allow a failure to define who they are as a person, and simply put, don't quit.

7. They manage their energy. Successful leaders become adept at moving between energy expenditure (stress) and energy renewal (recovery). In order to get the energy renewal required to live and work in an ideal performance state, successful leaders know when to refill their tank. Successful leaders keep burnout at bay by knowing how and when to take a break.

Have you seen real leaders in action? Do you consider yourself a leader, or are you content to be one of the faithful followers? There are needs for both types of people. It is said that leaders lead, and followers follow. Both fulfill a purpose. True leaders know that they cannot succeed alone. Experience is one way to learn leadership. Trust in a "higher power" or a dependence on divine wisdom also helps to provide a path toward leadership. And, you need the support of a trustworthy team who can assist you in carrying out your vision.

Are you a leader? Focus on those things that are important, and discover how you can rise to the top of your profession. If you already are in this category, continue making wise choices. The reward is best when others praise you, not only for what you've done, but also for who you are, and they mean it. Leadership is earned, not demanded.