How do you make yourself a better leader and thinker?

My post “How Do You Make Yourself A Better Leader and Thinker?” has been published by Julia Lindsey in her Our Little Books. I would like to thank her for taking my writing to her readers in different parts of the world.
Do have a look on:
http://www.ourlittlebooks.com/blog/2010/3/31/how-do-you-make-yourself-a-better-leader-and-thinker.html

Do we follow the already existing rules or create new set of rules for authentic leadership?

It is natural to think outside the box and authentic leadership is a not just a possibility but can be a surety. The world is not lacking in leadership. What is wanting is authentic leadership that doesn’t command with just common sense or conventional wisdom, but thinks outside the box. Authentic leadership is not a position. It is a choice. It is said that managers do the right thing but leaders do things right. Steve Wright, an Academy Award-winning American comedian, actor and writer said, “There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.”

Strategic thinking is something often quoted but not really practical - an abstract thing.

Strategic planning is something important and often guided by leadership in the organization. Every organization has strategic planners, who derive a meaningful interpretation of the evolving trends in the marketplace and develop various possibilities for the organization. Leaders in the organization facilitate the process of strategic planning by forming teams to develop plans, approving the plans, spending time for performance review and so on.

But is it sufficient? Is the leadership role limited to facilitating the process of strategic planning in an organization?

The answer to the above questions is a plain and firm No. Real leadership role emerges from digging a bit deeper. Meaningful interpretation comes from keen examination and analysis of environmental changes against specific ideas. These are the ideas that define an organization’s existence and shape its future. These are leaders' ideas of the business which guide strategies, processes, resources and performance at marketplace. Differentiation starts with leaders' thinking.