This article is a reflection of my passion for women in business and the "New Face of Leadership" which incorporates values, ethics and spirituality into practice. Leadership means stepping back from ones ego and the need to have all the perfect answers. Constantly interjecting personal ideas and opinions diminishes the opportunity to experience the hidden brilliance of others.

Once you understand leadership styles and their conditioning factors in your own life, the option is yours to choose a personal style that best reflects your belief. The end results are a given when you inspire, encourage and promote the well being of everyone in your environment.

Before looking at what the "New Face of Leadership" means, let’s view some traditional definitions:

· The "Teller." The leader knows what the vision should be, and others have to follow it.
· The "Seller." –The leader knows what the vision should be, but needs others to "buy in" before proceeding.
· The "Tester." –The leader has an idea about what the vision should be, or several ideas, and wants others reactions before proceeding.
· The "Consultant" A leader is putting together a vision and wants creative input from others before proceeding.
· The "Co-creator." Collaborative process of building a shared vision together.

What leadership styles you have experienced with your parents, teachers, bosses, co-workers and team members?

I experienced the "Teller" style most of the time; parents who told you what to do, teachers who’d say what is right or wrong, bosses that put forth their vision and dictated how things should go.

While on the Board of Directors for a non-profit organization, we encouraged unanimity and consensus. This concept proved to be very difficult. In Theory it sounded great; in practice, our personal issues created many stumbling blocks for true collaboration. The President of this organization one day said, "I am the president – the top in the chain of command.". . . . . I resigned my position.

If you find you are having trouble building and maintaining teams in your business (profit or non-profit); if you are experiencing difficulty with your children or other close relations; and if you are feeling victimized by other leaders, you are still embracing a concept of leadership that is not aligned with "the New Face of Leadership." Ask yourself, "What can this person or event teach me?"

How does one become a leader versus a follower?

Great Leaders have also been followers. They have modeled after other great leaders, and understood the tremendous value of having mentors. Let’s look at a few positive contributions followers play in serving their leader and their community.

· Inspire each other and the Leader.
· Are adaptable and capable of leading when appropriate.
· Contribute to the team energy.

We shift throughout each day – sometimes we are followers and other times we are leaders.

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