In a previous column, I talked about three types of CEOs—the honeymooner, the cost-cutter, and the institution-builder. I don’t presume to preach to senior management, but having worked with a number of leaders in several companies over the years, I’ve observed that institution-builders are able to get bigger and more sustained results from the pursuit of business excellence.

I’ve observed certain qualities in these leaders that seem to set them apart from others. Here they are:

Creating a legacy
Business leaders who achieved significant and sustained results through business excellence are those who sought to create an enduring legacy—apart from leading their businesses to their immediate revenue and profit goals. These leaders seem to draw their motivation not merely from short-term financial results, but also from the thought of creating a long-term legacy.

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