We live in a society that tries to teach us to base most of our success (as well as find our sources for passion) on external stimulus. As long as you have a coach, as long as you have a mentor, as long as you have a trainer, as long as you have a voice, you can conjure up the passion, the will and the desire to accomplish something.
In reality, though, this (in and of itself) is still followship.
Great voices in your life are essential, please don’t misunderstand the priority I personally and publicly preach about, believe in, and live out daily. With leadership, however, there is an intrinsic quality that a true leader possesses, regardless of external circumstances.
As a leader, the ability to find motivation from within, and not from without, is what separates a leader from a follower. It’s a God-given ability to carry on while nobody is with you, an ability to stay the course while other people are falling off the ship, an ability to know that the direction you’re heading is right even when all your critics are saying you’re wrong. It’s a confidence in a leader’s position, regardless of condition, that catapults him/her through tough times.
To stay the course. To envision a vision and keep to it even if the outcome is 20 yrs or more in the future. Tried and true leadership holds onto the vision no matter what the opposition they answer the call with yes and amen. Thank you for your teaching
At a Toastmasters training and education conference in February 2010, I found that many people do not know what real leadership is. The speaker asked us to give what it takes to be an effective leader. Many gave the stock and politically correct answers. When I said that great leaders stand alone in their decisions, I was practically booed. I remember numerous times as a Senior Patrol Leader in Boy Scouts, and when I was in the US Army that when you lead you often stand alone. Often it was difficult to stand up for my beliefs, but I was respected and often people looked to me for answers.