The story goes that sometime, close to a battlefield over 200 years ago, a man in civilian clothes rode past a small group of exhausted battle-weary soldiers digging an obviously important defensive position. The section leader, making no effort to help, was shouting orders, threatening punishment if the work was not completed within the hour. "Why are you are not helping?" asked the stranger on horseback. "I am in charge. The men do as I tell them," said the section leader, adding, "Help them yourself if you feel strongly about it." To the section leader's surprise the stranger dismounted and helped the men until the job was finished. Before leaving the stranger congratulated the men for their work, and approached the puzzled section leader. "You should notify top command next time your rank prevents you from supporting your men - and I will provide a more permanent solution," said the stranger. Up close, the section leader now recognized the great leader and also the lesson he'd just been taught. All of the great leaders have had one characteristic in common: it was the willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership A great leader's courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position. Leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
Very true indeed. Leadership is a skill which can be learned at all stages in life by observation, discipline and self-cultivation.
