Orrin, Over the past couple of years in studying different leaders and observing certain characteristics I have discovered the characteristic that seperates the ordinary and extraordinary person is not necissarily a certian skill set, but mostly attitude. It is as simple as how one sees something. Often times it is not what happens to someone that makes the difference as much as what happens in them that counts! For example: take for instance your Tri-Latteral Leadership Ledger. The components of Character, Tasks, and Relationships you and Chris have laid out does not take a specific skill as much as it takes a specific intent or attitude. Too many people have utilized the cop out of "I am not a people person" as a reason for not developing healthy win-win relationships in their lives. Sometimes I have had people say to me at the company I work for that "of course it is easy for you to devlop realtionships. You are a people person". I do not believe anyone is born with a "people person" skill set. I believe it is developed with a specific intent to get better at developing a "people first" mindset! Let me prove that statement: People are interested in people that are interested in them! When a "people first attitude person" comes into a room they are other people oriented. They put other people's agenda ahead of their own. That is a decision that is concerned with attitude not skill, therefore it can be learned through practice. Ordinary people vs. Extraordinary people: The Difference is not skill, the difference is attitude! When you hear the word ordinary—in reference to a person, a restaurant, an athlete, an actor, or anything else—what comes to mind? You automatically think of words such as average, plain, common, and ever day. You're probably not thinking in specifics—ordinary people and places simply aren't that memorable. Now switch mental gears and ponder what you think of when you hear the word extraordinary. Are words such as amazing, outstanding, brilliant, and exceptional coming to mind? I expect so. You might even be thinking of a particular individual who fits this description—an incredible football player, a captivating public speaker, a Nobel Prize-winning poet, or a best selling author. After comparing these two categories it might lead you to believe that if you're an ordinary person with an ordinary job, you have no hope of ever achieving success or doing something that really makes a difference. This is a commonly held belief that is not true. Can I tell you something: Extraordinary people do the common things uncommonly well. Leadership expert and best-selling author John C. Maxwell stated “what makes the difference between ordinary and extraordinary people are five little letters that make up the word extra.” Zig Ziglar stated: “The best part about traveling the extra mile is there is no traffic jam.” For Example - Attitude is something we all have in common whether it is good or bad. A good attitude compounded over time works for us. A bad attitude compounded over time works against us. The commonality between ordinary and extraordinary individuals is they each make the choice of how their attitude affects their life! Ordinary vs. Extraordinary: (Attitude) Ordinary People Extraordinary People 1. Do, Learn, Define 1. Define, Learn, Do 2. Can’t decide what they want to do in life 2. Prioritizes their life according to what they want 3. I am who I am 3. I can learn to become what I need to become 4. I earn a living 4. I make a life 5. Accept their life 5. Lead their life 6. Accept excuses for not becoming more 6. Accepts and learns from failure 7. Know it all 7. Knows leaders are learners 8. Destination Oriented 8. Process Oriented 9. Instant Gratification 9. Delayed Gratification 10. Self Serving 10. Serving In this comparison chart I describe the 10 different characteristics in attitude between an Ordinary and Extraordinary Person. You have probably noticed after this simple comparison that none of these different characteristics have anything to do with skill. They have everything to do with effort! Let me point out that if the “ordinary” column best describes you, it does not condemn or make you a bad person! I read a quote one time when I was first beginning my leadership walk that really helped me: “Though you cannot make a new beginning my friend, anyone can start now and make a brand new end.” Your past should only be used as a teacher to learn from. Whether it is good or filled with regrets, it does not dictate what you can become! Thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts Orrin! Matt