Leadership is the uniquely consistent and defining force behind great, enduring organizations. All of the best strategies, creative ideas and brilliant game plans cannot succeed or be sustained without strong, effective leadership. But as we reflect on news stories such as those about FIFA corruption charges and Brian Williams’ integrity lapses, the failures are almost stunning to behold. These disappointments remind us all of a very important truth that – once realized – can help us better select, develop and become true leaders.

We severely diminish and trivialize leadership’s true meaning by equating the word “leader” with any person in a position of authority or power. Leadership is not something bestowed upon you or granted to you by virtue of your lofty title or set of responsibilities. Rather, true leadership is invited and can only be given willingly by others based on who you are, what you do and how you do it. And leadership is revealed by what you inspire and what you enable; that is, by your success in eliciting positive actions, emotions and behaviors in others without the promise of reward or threat of punishment, and in producing tangible outcomes through others.

Developing and possessing requisite skills and knowledge may help you attain a sought-after position of authority or power. But it is your character – the sum total of your values and beliefs reflected in your behaviors, actions and decisions – that others will judge before they truly agree to be led by you. Those who earn leadership’s invitation answer the question of character by choosing and exemplifying 12 essential and non-negotiable distinguishing qualities. Each of these qualities connects to and integrates with each of the 11 others. Collectively, they represent a leadership character continuum that is both absolute and infinite, with neither a beginning, nor end. I have outlined below six of those qualities, and will cover the next six in the second part of this two-part series.

1. Uncompromised integrity in both words and action.

Integrity is about holistic honesty, truthfulness and consistency in character. You have integrity only if your choices and actions are unambiguously consistent with your asserted values and beliefs. If you lack or selectively exhibit integrity, you will never earn loyal, engaged followers regardless of your developed skills, accumulated knowledge or gained power.

2. Striving hard to earn trust and readily giving it.

Trust is foundational to building strong relationships and achieving results. Without trust, small issues become big issues, and ineffective relationships lead to inefficiencies, wasted time and energy, conflict, missed opportunities and, ultimately, failure. With trust, small issues become non-issues and big issues become opportunities for mutual problem solving and learning. Trust deepens relationships and unleashes tremendous human potential. As a result, trust boosts productivity, lowers costs and improves individual and organizational performance. For these reasons and more, leaders strive hard to earn trust. Lacking indisputable evidence to the contrary, they also readily give it.

3. Courage and self-confidence to do the right thing versus what’s convenient, expedient, popular or personally beneficial.

Most of us know in our heart and in our gut what the right thing to do is. We just need to find the courage to do it. When we choose to do the right thing we not only build trust and earn respect, we also experience contentment, strength and inner peace that last forever.

4. Honoring one’s word by always delivering on promises and commitments.

No excuses, no exceptions! Though you might sometimes be unable to honor promises and commitments due to unforeseen circumstances, you must communicate quickly and clearly with those impacted. That is how you establish credibility and gain confidence. As the great philosopher Yoda once said, “Do or do not … there is no try.”

5. Resolute determination to surface and confront issues and conflict with openness and candor balanced with diplomacy and empathy.

Unresolved issues and conflicts restrain human potential. If they persist unabated for long periods of time, they also become cancerous, ultimately destroying the soul and fabric of organizations.

6. Accountability, defined as embracing ownership of actions, decisions, commitments and results – yours and those of the people who answer to you.

Accountability is an obligation, a binding pledge and acceptance of consequences, whereas responsibility is simply about your duties and the role you are expected to fulfill.

No simple formulas or instruction manuals exist on how to become a true leader. There are, however, timeless principles and essential guidelines, and these can be learned and applied only through a never-ending process of personal, active engagement and self-discovery. And what has been true in the past is true today and always will be – time reveals true leaders and