Few would argue that leadership matters. Companies that can attract, develop, and retain the best leaders are likely to flourish. The issue grows hazy when we attempt to define leadership, and hazier still when managers try to match today's dizzying array of leadership practices with the specific needs of their organization. Results-Based Leadership brings refreshing clarity and directness to the leadership discussion, providing a hands-on program that will help executives succeed with their leadership challenges. A landmark book, Results-Based Leadership challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding leadership. The authors-world-renowned experts in human resources and leadership development-argue that it is not enough to gauge leaders by personal traits such as character, knowledge, style, and values. Effective leaders, say the authors, do more than master the attributes of leadership. They know how to connect their attributes with results. Results-Based Leadership shows executives how to deliver results in four specific areas: results for employees, the organization, its customers, and its investors. The authors provide action-oriented guidelines for readers to develop and hone their own results-based leadership skills. They look beyond the quick fixes, buzzwords, and trends that typify many leadership programs, and focus instead on producing results that can be measured and integrated into any business strategy or corporate culture. Here, for the first time, is a guidebook that bridges the gap between leadership theory and leadership skills. Results-Based Leadership fundamentally improves our ability to deliver real leadership results. "This gem may be the only book on leadershipyou need to read. Ulrich, Zenger, and Smallwood deliver an insightful synthesis of the plethora of work in this field and a compelling argument that effective leadership is the product of both leadership 'attributes' and the achievement of results."—Jeffrey L. Bleustein, Chairman and CEO, Harley-Davidson, Inc. "Results-Based Leadership is a welcome addition to the leadership book bag."—Frances Hesselbein, Founding President and Chairman of the Board, Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management