Most organizations lack the leadership they need and deserve. In every profession and all aspects of our lives, demand for leaders of strong character and able competence far outweighs supply. Drawing on his fifty years of experience as an Army and civilian leader, adjunct university professor, corporate consultant, and avid student of leadership, George Aldridge, clearly and logically outlines WHAT IT TAKES to be one of those few leaders who are intensely trusted by their employees and followers. Whether an aspiring or new leader who wants to start on the right track or a seasoned leader who desires to up your game, the author challenges you to dig deep within yourself to answer the question, "Are you willing to do WHAT IT TAKES," to be a leader who inspires willful commitment and enthusiastic engagement from your employees or followers?The book provides practical common-sense leadership direction of value to both a small organization team leader and the Fortune 500 CEO. Each chapter is a penetrating discussion of those aspects of your Character and Competence that are absolutely necessary to win deep follower trust. Throughout the book, Aldridge guides you through self-reflection exercises. Each of the exercises is accompanied by step-by-step guidance to develop a personal leadership philosophy with an action plan to make that philosophy a reality. Whether leading a corporation, a small group, or a family, What It Takes to be a Leader, will benefit the reader in both improving their leadership and growing the next generation of leaders of consequence we so dearly need.