Successful Leaders Roll With the Punches: Leadership Matters

"A ship in harbor is safe -- but that is not what ships are built for."

-- John Shedd

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- This quote, first published by Shedd in 1928, depicts in large part the challenge of the new generations of CEOs beginning to take over the reins of the corporate world. Throughout the globe, recently appointed leaders are finding, that even with long succession development, the role they planned to play has morphed into something more complicated and more urgent. The good news in all of this is that there are several leaders that seem poised to make the adjustment and drive full steam ahead. Here are three to watch.

Ursula Burns, CEO, Xerox. Burns was appointed in May to take over from the somewhat legendary Anne Mulcahy. Burns is not only the first African-American woman to run a major U.S. public company, she's also the first woman CEO of a major public company to succeed another woman CEO. With all of these firsts, Burns has her hands full to reestablish Xerox(XRX Quote) as more than just a copier maintenance company.

She seems to be doing that. Xerox has beaten analysts' earnings estimates for the last two quarters. With recent announcements of new technology in color printing as well as some exciting developments in glossy paper made from sustainable resources, Xerox seems to be steering in the right direction. While some employees have said Burns' focus is too much on the financials, she also has been mentored by Mulcahy over the last couple of years to take this role. Her willingness to focus on her strengths while surrounding herself with others who can fill in the gaps likely will drive her success in the future.