If you ask me, this is the year of the leader. My goal for 2012 is to be a better one and I plan to focus more on the teaching and coaching aspects of leadership. But I also think this should be the year of the leader for a host of practical reasons. To start, some think it is CEO’s, pop stars and sports figures that should get all of the attention for the money they make and the value they create. Sometimes that value is entertainment value but all types of leaders create business value for the business that they represent.

I propose that anyone with leadership skills and credentials are creating real value in today’s market. In my years of experience, true leaders are hard to find and worth every penny they earn. As businesses large and small emerge from the tough times of the economy, there are less leaders to go around for all of us. Business stopped “producing” them formally as less dollars and time went to formal training and coaching programs. Fewer entrepreneurs started businesses and had the experience of learning as they started their company.

Don’t believe me and think my logic is faulty? My business solves recruiting problems and we see many organizations dealing with their leadership gap by hoping to hire the talent from the marketplace and away from others in their industry.

So with such a shortage I would like to proclaim 2012, the year of the leader. We need to recognize and reward the good ones and start to identify people with future leadership potential.

I would consider myself a leader. I am confident enough to say I am good one; and humble enough to say I got here by making mistakes and learning from them. I am dedicated to being the best leader I can be. But ask me and others how to make one? Well, that is not an easy discussion.

So this blog starts a research project for me. I would love to hear your thoughts on two simple questions.

1. What traits make up leadership to you?
2. And how do you develop and cultivate leaders in your company?

Simple questions, tough answers. Would love to hear from you and I will share what I learn through this blog in a few weeks.