Signs, Signs, Everywhere theres signs, these lyrics recorded by Telsa reminded me what separates exceptional leaders from the average leaders -- the ability to find and read signs. This awareness to signs allows these leaders to think both creatively and strategically.

First, what makes an exceptional leader? In the book Fail-Safe Leadership, the authors Linda Martin and Dr. David Mutchler in 100 pages boil leadership down to the ability to get results within clearly articulated core values. The how of getting results or what some may call performance continues to vex many businesses and individuals.

Examples in history are endless. George Washington read the signs of the future of the Americas by surveying potential land as to what would be desirable for the incoming colonists. From his creative ability to read the signs, he was able to strategically purchase land that he later sold for a profit making him a wealthy man.

In todays business world, such leaders as Jack Welsh, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey and Mary Kaye all demonstrated the ability to read the signs before others even saw the signs. Successful entrepreneurs such as industrialist Andrew Carnegie to Fed Ex Founder Fred Smith saw the signs and made millions of dollars when others believed their endeavors would fail. Another example closer to Chicago and Northern Indiana, is local business owner and entrepreneur, Dean White, who followed Washingtons footsteps. He saw his recently purchased hundreds of farming acres supporting businesses in the forthcoming decades. Mr. White is now a billionaire because he saw and read the signs before the intersection of U.S. 30 and I-65 was still a dream at the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Reading signs is not magical, but a developed skill. The first step is to increase your individual awareness to your environment. Taking a course such as Neuro-Linguistic programming, spending 10 minutes a day in reflection and staying current with tomorrow's business trends will improve your natural awareness. Also, focus should always be on the positive, the possibilities, instead of the negative. Learn to embrace joy first instead of misery.

Next, follow the words of Marcel Prost who wrote that the true voyage of discovery is not seeking new landscapes, but seeing with new eyes. Look at everyday happenings from a new perspective by changing to different lenses or filters. Continually ask yourself if your reaction is one of conditioning?

The signs are all around and many may tell you what to do and what you cant do. Your challenge as a leader is three fold: Find the Signs, Read the Signs and Possibly Rewrite the Signs.