This is not a blog about who I think should be our next President, but I like my choice of VP! PARADE Magazine, which arrives in our Sunday newspaper each week, had an interesting article inside about secrets of some great American presidents.

Focusing on the qualities which have made some of our leaders exceptional will not only give us perspective on our current candidates, but these ten attributes also are qualities for identifying any leader. The writer of this article, Doris Kearns Goodwin, specifically looked at the presidencies of Lincoln and FDR.

The Secrets of America's Great Presidents

1. The courage to stay strong. Despite failures, they never lose faith and refuse to despair knowing they will eventually succeed.

2. Self-confidence. Good leadership requires you to surround yourself with people who can give you diverse perspectives and tell you the truth.

3. An ability to learn from mistakes. What did you do well? What would you do different?

4. A willingness to change. Conditions change and leaders must respond accordingly.

5. Emotional Intelligence. The capacity to transmit strength to others from your own emotional bank account.

6. Self control. Great leaders manage their emotions and remain calm in the midst of trouble.

7. A popular touch. The best Presidents had an intuitive awareness of public sentiment, a sense to wait and when to lead. This can only happen if you're in touch with people.

8. A moral compass. Only strong leaders have the courage and integrity to follow their convictions when the risk of losing popular support is great.

9. A capacity to relax. The ability to keep things in perspective to laugh and encourage others to relax and laugh as well.

10. A gift for inspiring others. I don't know about you but I'm not following someone who doesn't inspire me not only by what they say but more importantly by the way they walk the talk.

So here's your challenge: Prioritize this list and choose from the least to the greatest the characteristics which most describe you as a leader. When you do, go ask your team to rank you on these same items and compare.