This is part 3 in an 8-part series about the B-I Triangle put forth by Robert Kiyosaki in his book "Rich Dad's Guide to Investing". Well, what exactly is a leader? Is a leader the same as a manager? Let's answer:A leader is someone who is responsible and accountable for the actions of the team. Sounds simplistic, right? That's because it is. Leadership is the ability to keep the team focused with single-minded determination to achieiving the team's mission. How is this done? First, it's done through the creation and proper utilization of training for the team. Let's say a bunch of doctors had the mission of making you well through the proper usage of prescribed medciations. Would you want these doctors invovled in your health care, if they had no training, or if their training was out-of-date or woefully inadequate?

Second, it's done through maintaining proper communications channel both between you and your team, and also between you and the outside world. In the case of some rather large companies, the "outside world"? is used here to mean, anyone outside the team. In the case of business self-ownership, the entire company can be considered your team.

Third, and probably one of the most important for a team's long-term existence, is the ability to review and self-corrent. This is called the "Ready, Fire, Aim"? approach. Implement a plan, see how it works, and adjust accordingly. Once you find something that works, stick with it, while also exploring possibilities of even better methods. How leadership differs from management is simple. Leadership is a skill set that can be LEARNED through management. Managers are typically the ones who work the same hours or more as their team/subordinates. Case in point, my managers at Pizza Hut. This dedicated bunch of people are sometimes there more than the rest of us. This is due in part to things like added paperwork, employee issues, customer servicing, etc... The true test of leadership is your ability to teach your current team all the duplicable systems they need to get the job done WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE THERE.