I have noticed several types of leaders in my career, two of them could be categorized as short-term or long-term leaders. Take 
a look at my observations…
Short-Term Leaders
Short-term leaders are not concerned about long-term consequences, especially the bad stuff that can happen to employees when decisions are made solely on short-term results. Actually, short-term thinking leaders are not leaders at all. They are only in the game for themselves.
Sharing profits is not in their management DNA. When the cash stops flowing, they leave town with the likelihood the company will file bankruptcy. The financial cost to employees, families, vendors, customers, and the community is staggering.
Bankruptcy judges in Delaware are so far removed from the tragic consequences to innocent, hard-working people, they do not care how their decisions will ruin people’s financial lives.
Stay away from leaders with short-term thinking. The one clue that gives them away? They are filled with self-interest. Everything has to be about them.
Long-Term Leaders
Long-term leaders are willing to endure short-term inconveniences because the payoff is much greater than the risk. These leaders share with employees in the profitability of the company.
Looking for creative ways to solve problems, they avoid knee-jerk reactions to economic bad news and rarely lay-off employees. Long-term leaders are not looking at the competition to see what they are doing. They set their own trail and walk their walk.
Long-term leaders have the inner-strength to make hard and fair decisions. Afterwards, they can look employees in the eye and explain the business landscape and the reasons for their decisions.
Find and stick with a long-term leader. You can count on them to make wise decisions, even if the decision is not in their own best interest.
How can you find a long-term leader? Well, they try their best to blend in with employees. They won’t be driving a fancy, super expensive sports car with a reserved parking spot by the front door for everyone to see. You will find them walking around, talking with employees to see how life and work is going.
When you find one of those, stick with them because good things happen to companies with grounded leaders.
