For 25 years, Leadership Excellence magazine has published the best and latest thinking on leadership. Again this year, the magazine has ranked the top thought leaders in management and leadership. Go here: for their Excellence 100 list.

Leaders, according to the survey, possess a rare combination of traits and abilities. Here are the eight criteria:

1. Preparation: academic and professional.


2. Character: values, ethics, beliefs, purpose, mission, integrity, walk the talk.


3. Principles: big message, point of view, tenets, main points.


4. Personality: charisma, style, originality, authenticity, one of a kind.


5. Performance: inspiring action, real-world performance, work ethic.


6. Experience: beyond local and regional, more national and international.


7. Expression: substance and style in writing, speaking, coaching, consulting, mentoring, training, or teaching.


8. Influence: difference, results, change, transformation.