Tom Peters' style Questions for Future Leaders

If you wish to become a leader in the future take a look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself:

Do I treat my own customers (internal and external) excellently - listen to them, identify their needs and deliver the solutions they need?

Do I look for new ways of doing things and for new things to do - and then try them out - fast?

Do I treat everyone I work with as an independent colleague with a contribution to make?

Am I a change agent?

Do I have a clear vision for my job, career and department?

Do I play loose and slippery with restrictive rules and seek better ways?

Am I honing my teamworking skills?

Do I treat my training and development as an investment in the business?

Have I made my expertise and contribution indispensible?

Do I sieze all chances to contribute (and be noticed for distinctive contribution)?

Do I canvass others opinions widely?

What am I doing - and why?

What tasks will I personally undertake - and why?

How will I measure my success?

How will I satisfy my customers in the future?

What additional or improved skills do I need?

What networks of people will I use?

Where do I want the business to be in a year?

Do I fully understand my business plan? My budget?

Can I distinguish between my direct and indirect costs?

What is the difference between my profit and my contribution?

What are my marginal costs?

Do I fully understand the concept of opportunity costs and their ramifications for my business?

Can I apply standard financial measures: return on capital, return on equity, cash flow, gross margins et al?

Do I know and apply Pareto's Law?

Am I already leading by example: Always showing enormous pride in my company and its people? Being incredibly enthusiastic about what I and others are doing? Delegating authority and cheering them on face-to-face? Visiting colleagues and customers round their place? Making the visits impromptu to share in their enthusiasm? When I'm in the office - do I keep my door open?

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