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Search "Leadership" online, and you'll find a million articles offering advice on how to be a better leader. Eleven simple steps, nine strategies, five leadership tips - we're inundated with so-called education and training about how to lead well. The question remains, if the road to great leadership is so easy and accessible, why are there still so many ineffective, demotivating leaders who crush the potential of their employees and organizations? Eight years ago, I met "courage in leadership" expert Bill Treasurer, at an author retreat of Berrett-Koehler, the publisher of my first book Breakdown, Breakthrough, and was immediately impressed. I watched him quietly lead, and build a collaborative and open space for discussion, feedback, and dialogue among a diverse group of authors and publishing professionals. I liked him instantly and felt this man truly walked the talk. So I was excited to learn he has a new leadership book out called Leaders Open Doors out this week. Bill is Founder and Chief Encouragement Officer of Giant Leap Consulting, and the author of Courage Goes to Work. In his books, he shares his pioneering work in the new organizational development practice of courage-building. Bill insights have been featured in over 100 top publications, and he draws on his experience as a former member of the U.S. High Diving Team, during which time he executed over 1,500 high dives from heights that scaled to over 100 feet, requiring intense levels of courage every day to succeed as a top athlete. I caught up with Bill to ask him about his courage-focused brand of leadership, and what he teaches leaders to help them inspire, motivate and lead individuals and organizations forward. Kathy Caprino: Bill, we read so much about what makes a great leader today. What do you think is missing in all this advice we're inundated with? Bill Treasurer: Despite

1) Communicate a clear vision "A lot depends on where your university is and what you want the vice-chancellor to do. Do you need more student recruitment? Do you need more research grant money? 2) Trust your staff "It is an essential quality of any leader that they should develop and empower their staff. This means trusting them to innovate and get on with things without always looking over their shoulder or filling a form to say they've done something. " 3) Be fair "Academics are slightly strange animals and difficult to lead (and we all know they are difficult to manage!) - very individualistic and therefore many may not be considered team players. 4) Appoint good people "I see ' leaderful ' practices in classrooms, research teams and student-led activity throughout the HE sector. 5) Value all staff "Universities need to value their staff - permanent and casual. Many casual staff are the academics and administrative managers of the future and need to be engaged by the leaders because both have a future together. " (Paula Nicolson)

Here are five steps to take to help you build a strong thought-leadership campaign: 1. Clarify your purpose. The most successful thought leaders have a purpose and a clear definition of what they want to accomplish. They also understand the time and dedication it can take to become influential. Before embarking on a thought-leadership program, consider your goals and what you want to achieve. 2. Identify your voice. Thought leaders have a strong, identifiable and distinct voice that sets them apart from others. Their voice is their brand and their audience knows exactly what they stand for and what to expect from them. Most important, they don't stray from their brand identity and instead look for opportunities to make it even stronger. 3. Write. One of the defining characters of thought leaders is their ability to effectively communicate their expertise and knowledge to their audience. A great way to get your thoughts and experience noticed is by writing contributed articles, op-eds and blog posts. 4. Build an active online presence. Great thought leaders have mastered the art of sharing and putting their message and brand out there. 5. Be a mentor. Great thought leaders have strong ideas that live on through the people they have influenced and helped out.