Leadership

In the 8th Habit Stephen Covey defines Leadership as:

Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they can come to see it in themselves.

or as John Mariotti puts it:

Leaders are the architects and Managers are the builders.

Teach and Apply

Stephen Covey says in his book the 8th Habit:

Almost everyone acknowledges you learn best when you teach another and that your learning is internalized when you live it.

In other words teach what you learn and practice what you preach.

This is timeless advice on the best methodology of learning. Plus it gives the added benefit of educating others.

4 Basic Elements of Effective Graphic Design

These are taken from A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink who got them from The Non-Designer's Design Book: Design and Typographic Principles for the Visual Novice by Robin Williams.

Contrast
If the elements(type, color, size, line thickness, shape, space, etc.) are not the same, then make them very different.

Repetition
Repeating visual element helps develop the organization and strengthens the unity of your brochure, newsletter, or letterhead.

Alignment
Nothing should be placed on the page arbitrarily. Every element should have some visual connection with another element on the page.

Proximity
Items relating to each other should be grouped close together.