Regardless of industry, organization, gender, or even country, the leaders who are the most successful are usually very savvy at getting their own way. Because of that, they make massive impacts and leave their mark on the organization or even industry.

If that statement seems in any way obvious to you, then ask yourself why it is that the vast majority of leaders — probably 90% — rarely make important/huge impacts on their particular organizations? I’m talking about a kind of organizational folklore that all employees discuss.

Like Steve Jobs, the new boss of HP, Meg Whitman, is also well-known for certain management traits that are often frowned upon and discouraged by those in power positions. Here are 5 traits that both of them became known for:

1. Kind of obsessive/compulsive — not “logical,” even when research showed that they were on the wrong path

2. Highly volatile — and, at times, acting too emotional to be considered appropriate, causing a lot of heartburn in the HR department

3. Prone to cursing — which “everyone” knows is inappropriate in a business setting. Balanced managers don’t behave in that manner, right?

4. Extremely demanding — often far too much. Being “beyond reason” with their expectations of underlings’ performance

5. Disposed to favoritism — to projects, people, suppliers. All of which are usually cautioned against because they can result in legal actions

Steve Jobs created products and new industries because he was never going to accept business as usual. He led a boardroom coup, created magic, and was hated by many for his arrogance. At EBAY, Meg Whitman took charge of an interesting company and then literally changed the world of commerce, along with the lives of millions. She is also well known for being mercurial and dismissive.

When leaders are at their best, they care deeply about what’s going on. And everyone around them can see that. But most, probably 90%, of the Western world’s leaders, regardless of the type of company or organization they’re leading, will never be recognized as great leaders for one simple reason: They were taught to be so “objective” that they lost whatever passion they started with.

So, if you want to be a great leader, learn from two of the best and act accordingly. If you do, be prepared to:

– upset a lot of others who prefer leadership as usual, where passion is considered inappropriate and procedures must be followed for the benefit of the majority,

– have more of an impact than ever before,

– and have some genuine fun along the way. Here’s to your future!

John