Just what does it take to be a true leader?

The famous writer and social ecologist Peter F Drucker once said: "Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things."

Indeed there seems to be a difference between managing and truly leading a team - but what is that difference and how do you attain the qualities needed to really engage employees?

This week's issue of Caterer and Hotelkeeper is dedicated to the complex yet hugely important subject of leadership and the skills required to motivate and inspire people to drive forward a business. In a series of articles we explore what it takes to be a true leader and ask if these attributes can be learned, or if they are simply intrinsic skills.

We hear from a host of top industry leaders, who share their beliefs and advice on what they have learned about leadership on their journey to success. Learnpurple chief executive Jane Sunley kicks off her new four-part series on how to get the most out of your people by discussing the importance of leadership on all levels, while in the Chef section we ask some of the country's most successful chefs what it takes to be a leader in the kitchen.

Shining through from all the inspirational leaders we have spoken to are the qualities of passion and drive, along with a clear vision and the ability to be able to communicate this well to a team. But it's not just about those at the top of the tree, no matter at what level that you work, there's the opportunity to be a leader. Those we have highlighted are all utterly committed, share the respect of their teams and lead from the front. All of which are attributes that can be applied at any level.

By Kerstin Kühn

E-mail your comments to Kerstin Kühn here.

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