Once upon a time, I was hired for a new management position, and on the first day on the job, I was shocked to be told by my new boss that I would likely need to fire two of my key team members because they were “underperforming.”

This company tended to operate in an “our way or the highway” mode. They gave lip service to staff development but were quick to fire people and hire replacements. I came from a background where good replacements were often difficult to find, so it was worthwhile investing in improving the people you already had. Not surprisingly, with just a little effort, I found the two “underperforming” folks became my most productive, loyal, and trustworthy employees.

To me, that’s what real leadership in business is about. It’s not about shouting orders and just getting rid of whoever doesn’t follow. The “leader” part of the word suggests two things that are equally important. In the first place, it says the person leading is out front, setting the pace. But you can’t have a leader without followers, and I firmly believe the best followers are those who do so not only willingly, but also with enthusiasm.

Some so-called leaders are really pushers, cracking the whip to herd their minions in the desired direction. I prefer leaders who actually look to their energized followers to set the pace. That kind of leader doesn’t have to look back over the shoulder to make sure the followers are keeping up. Instead, the focus tends to be more on setting goals and direction while surfing a wave that carries the business forward. That kind of leader also invests time in making sure his or her team has the tools they need to succeed.

Not everybody agrees on what constitutes good leadership. Not everyone responds well to different styles of leadership. And different leaders find different methods successful for them. 

In this, our annual Leadership Issue, we explore some outstanding examples of leaders across the wide spectrum of what we know as the woodworking industry. They range from experienced and respected Market Leaders to the dynamic rising stars of our 40 Under 40 honorees. It is a far-ranging group, but there are some frequent commonalities.

Most give as much or more to their work and industry as they take from it. Most also give of themselves beyond the work, involved in family, community, and charitable activities. Most look to lessons from mentors who led the way before them.

Recognizing that continuity is perhaps the most important part of leadership. Good leaders create more good leaders. It’s often said that the first step to being promoted is to train your successor. The most successful businesses are those that have been built to outgrow their founders.

What’s your version of leadership?