Charlie Brown was my dad's favorite cartoon strip, and so it became mine. I'm not sure how much Charlie Brown knew about leadership, but his creator, Charles Schulz, was dead on.

Read the following set of questions to understand Schulz's philosophy. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do? The point is none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.

These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies... Awards tarnish... Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one.

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials...the most money... or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most.

So what does this have to do with True-North? Everything! Great companies are not built on one single great person. They are built on a strong team that goes beyond the owner's office or the CEO's boardroom. We tend to think that the only leaders in the organization are those at the top. But the great leaders have always been the ordinary people doing extraordinary things. And we need them throughout the organization. They are the very essence of survival.

Today's single largest value driver in business is Human Capital. Period. Human Capital drives Intellectual Capital which drives Innovation. What are you doing to attract, develop, and retain your single largest asset?

This article was taken from the Compass Point True North March 2010 Update. Tom Garrity is the Managing Partner of Compass Point. Established in 2003, Compass Point is the Lehigh Valley's only firm specializing in exit planning and ownership transition for closely held and family businesses. Tom can be reached at 610-336-0514 or visit http://www.compasspt.com/.