If you're wondering about the kinds of qualities it takes to be a good business leader, it won't surprise you to know that there are as many opinions as there are business leaders. Corporate CEOs and presidents openly spout their beliefs on the subject when delivering speeches or giving interviews. Journalists have their own ideas, culled from analyzing business decisions, stock performances and bottom lines. Even politicos, who rarely have any qualities that would make them successful business leaders, claim they own them all when they are stumping for votes (the winners usually being those who have delivered the message in the most sincere manner rather than those who actually have the most leadership qualities).

Yes, there is a variety of opinions out there but, in studying a cross-section of them, I spotted a few constants that pop up on every list. And, in further thinking about these qualities, it occurred to me that if you are a consistent player of the casual game Bejeweled, then you undoubtedly have what it takes to be a successful business leader.

Before you cast me aside as a casual game-playing loon, hear me out. Consider the qualities that experts say are important for successful leadership. If you think about it, you'll realize that these are the same qualities that Bejeweled players have! Think I'm crazy... take a look.

Integrity. Former American Airlines Chairman of the Board Edward Brennan said Integrity is the most important quality to being a good leader. "This is a deal breaker if you don't have it completely," he has said. Well, Bejeweled players definitely have integrity. No Bejeweled player in his right mind would play one of those obnoxious knockoffs! Gem Swap, Sweet Tooth, Swap It, Nisqually...no, no, no! Bejeweled players only want to play the original version of Bejeweled and we won't settle for anything less! We want to see the purple diamonds, green octagons, yellow diamonds, et al, dropping down on the board. We want to hear the old-fashioned sounds the game makes, including the wince-inducing horn when we realize we're running out of time. There is no substitute for us. There is only Bejeweled. And, that is integrity.

Vision. Jack Welch, former chairman and CEO of General Electric Co., was once quoted as saying, "Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision and relentlessly drive it to completion." Well, who can possibly play a successful (or even unsuccessful) game of Bejeweled without vision?! If you're not looking at the board and seeing that persistent line of red squares or white circles coming into view, how are you ever going to win?! Are we passionate about that vision? You betcha! That's why we keep hitting that damned replay button to reset the board the very second we lose. We keep playing because we want to keep that vision of winning in our heads.

Dedication. Bejeweled players are nothing if not dedicated to the game. We devote time to this game - usually, the same time every day; sometimes, just to clear our heads - and we are dedicated about it. Not a day goes by that we don't open our phone or PDA or turn on our computer and hit play. We are dedicated to the game despite losing regularly to it.

Consistency. Business leaders must stay the course and be consistent with their path. I ask you this: who is more consistent in life than a Bejeweled player? Despite never being able to beat this game or, for that matter, never being able to beat your best score (which was achieved in a momentary burst of quickness and vision that has never been duplicated since), we continue to play. This is consistency that equals any business leader's similar claim.

Decisiveness. According to Brennan, if a CEO fails, it's usually because he's not decisive. This may be the Bejeweled player's most stunning leadership quality. We are given a nanosecond to make a decision that impacts not only our score but our ability to keep playing - and we make that decision. And, even if that decision turns out to be a good one - maybe it gets you four in a row or a Bonus hit and, thus, more playing time - you have no time to rejoice. You have more decisions to make!

Assertiveness. Who hasn't screamed out in anguish when the horn sounds for the final time and the game ends, the gems pouring down the screen with that awful, shaky "Time's Up!" slogan appearing to taunt you? But, rather than shirk away or turn back to your desk or otherwise repair to more productive pursuits, you maintain that assertive attitude and play again. This probably happens more often than we like to admit. But, that's a true sign of assertiveness...we keep going back for more.

Humility. Business leaders are modest; they understand they are not better than anyone else on the team. This is a Bejeweled player's most significant trait. The second we download the game to our phone, computer or PDA, we know our chances of beating it are low. We know that we are not better than the game. In fact, we like it that way. Otherwise, there's no reason to keep playing it, right?

Are you convinced that Bejeweled players do indeed have the qualities it takes to be a good business leader? I'm sure some of you are scoffing. However, I'm equally sure that there are some business leaders out there who play the game when no one's looking (or, even when people are!). Think about it. Those of us who play Bejeweled definitely have the qualities listed above.

Okay, it's been established: we've got the goods. So, why aren't we in leadership positions? Well, maybe it's because we can't pull ourselves away from that damned game!