As a lad, I lived for Saturday morning cartoons. Long before DVR, a boy needed an alarm clock catch the Super-Friends at 6 AM. And though a wide assortment of cartoons whizzed by until Noon, there was a consistent message throughout: "They're GREAT!"  See that was the catch-phrase of Tony the Tiger, the cartoon pitchman for Kellogg's Frosted Flakes. Five times an hour, Tony cheerfully chanted about his sublime cereal. By Saturday afternoon, all I could think about was the GREATNESS of sugary grains.

Greatness is memorable. This week, as I explored the difference between "good" leadership and "great" leadership, I burst out laughing, imagining Tony the Tiger chanting, "They're GOOD" into my television. Much less inspiring, no? I'm not sure THAT slogan would have stuck.
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So then, what differentiates the good from the great? How do the great leaders go beyond the good? Which characteristics classify the leaders in each category? Here are a few thoughts to consider:
<ul>
	<li>The good leader makes an impression: Great leaders make friends.</li>
	<li>The good leader gets results out of any team: Great leaders build team through any kind of result.</li>
	<li>The good leader creates demand: Great leaders create hope.</li>
	<li>The good leader defends territory: Great leaders defend principles.</li>
	<li>The good leader makes a profit: Great leaders make a difference</li>
</ul>
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As I chewed on it all, I realized that <em>GREAT leadership is about </em><strong><em>purpose</em></strong><em> and </em><strong><em>people</em></strong>.  The great leader sees beyond the financials and can focus on fulfilled potential.  So today, if you find you're caught up in metrics, flowcharts and diagrams, take a step back. Ponder how you can fulfill your objectives <em>and</em> simultaneously inspire others. It is people that deeply matter. In fact, They're Gr-r-reat!

Have you experienced leadership of this nature? If so, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter.