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8 SMT Magazine • October 2016 by Stephen Las Marias I-CONNECT007 What Makes a Great Leader? Leadership encompasses the ability of an individual to lead or guide other individu- als, teams, or entire organizations in the ac- complishment of common goals. In many in- dustries, great leadership is required now more than ever as companies face a myriad of chal- lenges such as globalization, uncertainties in global markets, and increased demand for flex- ibility. The electronics assembly industry is no different. Amid the rapid change in technology and innovation, leadership is required to drive the organization ahead of its competition and sustain its competitive advantages to overcome new challenges brought about by market de- mands. But then, there are good leaders, and there are great leaders. How do we differentiate one from the other? According to author Jon Gor- don, good leaders get people to believe in them, while great leaders inspire people to believe in themselves. Apparently, it's true. According to our sur- vey on leadership—which is also our topic for this month's issue of SMT Magazine—the major- ity or 70% of our respondents said the ability to inspire others is the one of the most important traits of a great leader today. This is followed by empowerment of employees, clarity of vision, and then integrity. Great leaders act in the best interest of the team they are leading. And while E DITOR'S NOTE