Are Komodo Dragons Really Dragons?

Probably not. But, you object, "everybody calls them dragons". Sure, and "everybody" calls machete-wielding murderers and baby-killers religious zealots, too.

But turning to the evidence, as best we can interpret it, the Komodo Dragon looks like a very large lizard, and appears to share some unsavory personal habits with its smaller cousins. True, it can bite a person, and is a germ and disease factory of great prowess, whether in a "safe" zoo or in its homeland on a handful of Indonesian islands.

Using classical illustrations as a guide, the great lizard falls short of full dragon status on a number of counts. It cannot fly;indeed it has no wings, not even vestigial remnants. Neither are there any reports of exhaling fire for purposes of intimidation or barbecuing a foe.

A dragon that does beset the supply chain practitioner with intense regularity derives from the CFO's favorite mantra when applied to others, e.g., those actually doing the work, "We need to do more with less again this year!" So, how does the leader, leader-to-be, aspirational leader, or yet-to-be-recognized leader maintain his or her personal, group, or team productivity?

Entrepreneur contributor Steve Tobak reminds us that real leaders don't follow, confesses to terminal disorganization, admits to the sin of procrastination, but claims success from following a few simple rules. His core conclusion? "If you want to accomplish great things, you should focus on doing just that . . . Figure out what you want to do and just do it."

His Seven Rules?

Focus on goals and priorities. If you don't know your goals, you don't really have any. Know what the priorities are to ensure you can meet your goals.

Know yourself. Strengths, weaknesses, talents, shortfalls. In a corollary, know those on your team, where they fit, how they plug gaps, how they stand in for you, and how they work together.

Always get the job done. Always. No excuses. What else are you getting paid for?

Love your work. If you don't, what's the point?

Be flexible, adaptive, and creative. Promise to serve and to solve, then figure out how.

Work when you have to, not when you don't. Pull all-nighters, work weekends when you have to; watch Judge Judy when you want to.

Take care of yourself. Eat right, sleep right, stay in shape. Be ready to take on the challenges of succeeding.

My Eighth Rule?  Then go on offense, and have a ball doing it.