Have you noticed how few leaders today are truly exceptional? I’m not talking about good, talented leaders; there are plenty of them. I mean the extraordinarily great ones. Those who are truly the best of the best.Many look good on paper, but what really matters? It’s definitely more than the technical knowledge, the degrees, and the experience that separate the good from the great. It’s an age-old question that resonates with boards, corporations, the military, non-profits, and almost any other organization even today.In my 35 years with the Army, I’ve seen it all: entry level, mid-level, General Officers. I’ve served in two of the top three positions in the Army Reserve, delivering results in highly pressurized situations. I’ve lived this, not just observed it or read about it.Recent research on leader excellence resonates with my experience: the key to truly great leaders lies more in their mindsets than anything else. - Are they prudent but bold about setting direction? - Do they demand the same rigor and discipline on the people side than on the operational side and do