Having a vision is one thing, converting it into successful action is another. The second skill shared by Bennis' selection of leaders is management of meaning communications. A vision is of limited practical use if it is encased in 400 pages of wordy text or mumbled from behind a paper-packed desk. Bennis believes effective communication relies on the use of analogy, metaphor and vivid illustration as well as emotion, trust, optimism and hope. The third aspect of leadership identified by Bennis is trust which he describes as 'the emotional glue that binds followers and leaders together'.
Leaders have to be seen to be consistent.
The final common bond between the 90 leaders studied by Bennis is 'deployment of self'. The leaders do not glibly present charisma or time management as the essence of their success. The worst problem in leadership is basically early success. The leaders have a positive self regard, that Bennis labels 'emotional wisdom'. While Bennis was mapping out potential futures for the business world, he was confronting realities as a university administrator at SUNY, Buffalo and as President of the University of Cincinnati.