In years past, a company’s health was measured by the size of its balance sheet. While that still may be true today, great leaders know that an organization’s competitiveness is  determined by its ability to harness the power of intangibles—often referred to as “soft issues.”

To achieve excellence organizations must emphasize the importance of intangible factors such as:
• Empowering the workforce
• Communicating openly and honestly
• Building trust among employees
• Promoting continuous education and professional growth
• Creating a work environment that encourages risk and discourages fear
• Improving business processes and eliminating waste
• Nurturing long-term relationships with suppliers and customers
• Developing an impeccable reputation
• Living according to sound business ethics
• Unifying around a mission and shared values

 …