"If you consider yourself a leader, you may want to turn around and see if anyone is following you. If not, then you are just going for a walk."
I will acknowledge that there is a certain amount of truth to the logic and pragmatism in this framing of leadership. Problems arise, however, when leadership becomes merely a quest to acquire followers. Now you are simply a public relations specialist with an ego.
To me, leadership is inspiring others to act toward a shared goal. Leadership is not about acquiring followers but rather realizing partners. It is not about a personal vision but rather shared dreams. And sometimes there is nothing more important and inspiring than a leader going on a long lonely walk into terrain that others dare not go.
At the end of the day, I see leadership possessing a certain Taoist quality. The Way that can be known is not the true Way. Leadership cannot be found if you seek it, only if you do not.
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