“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.” – Douglas MacArthur
There is a gulf of difference between a leader and a true leader. I’ve found that the strongest leaders in my organization become leaders as a byproduct of their passionate work ethic and their compassionate service to others, no matter what personal gain might be expected. True leadership is not something to be gotten, it emerges from within outward.
Not one single true leader in my organization became a leader because he or she angled for the position. It’s been easy for me because I don’t have to artificially install leaders in positions of authority. Their authority grows naturally out of the way they carry themselves from day-to-day. And true leadership is predicated on the presence of natural, established authority.
Gregory Hake 
I think that it is important for a true leader to have a “the buck stops here” mentality. They take ultimate responsibility for the things that are under their purview. A true leader never throws their people under the bus to prevent themselves from looking bad.
Bureaucracy has no place in the life of a true leader.
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To watch a “true leader” emerge is a beautiful thing. It’s inspiring to work with people who strive to be there best out of a desire to serve others. And if you hang out with like-minded individuals it’s difficult not to get caught up in the vortex that is continuously created – it’s as if one inspires another to greater and greater levels of greatness – that’s a lot of “great!”.
I work in a business where such a thing happens – it’s your business – and it’s a joy to work there and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of true leadership in action.
As MacArthur says it can be lonely “leading” and there are difficult decisions to make but there is no greater service to humanity than becoming and operating as a “true leader”.
Thank you for your continued inspiration – onward and upward!
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Leadership has been of deep interest to me for several decades now, and the more I understand about it, the more I see how far I have to go still to become the quality of leader that I truly aspire to be. One of my discoveries is when I recognized the difference between leadership and Genuine Leadership. The world that I came from, often times the leader was one who was appointed, and it was for the sole purpose getting things done and driving results.
Genuine Leadership, on the other hand, is focusing not on ‘getting things done’ but instead assisting those who you have the privilege of leading to discover the inherent greatness which resides within themselves, thereby releasing what will become for them their identity as a Genuine Leader as well. Interestingly enough, by having as your focus assisting others, more things get done with much more passion and enthusiasm, which leads to continued better quality of the end result. And usually you can get more done with less people, less effort, and less mistakes!
It seems like a no brainer to me – doesn’t it to you!
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Thank you Gregg for your tireless leadership, and your persistent invitation to those who see and appreciate the value of your blog.
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I’ve worked for a true leader. His example on the job was inspiring. His clarity about why our contribution mattered fueled our passion for doing a great job. His passion for people to wake up to their own inherent greatness inspired some to step out of the herd and become leaders themselves. I think what was most respected by us was his unwavering strength of personal character. Adversity, ridicule or praise and adulation, nothing turned his head or heart from being there to inspire us day to day. Working with him changed my life and made me want to do that for others. In summation our work became all the things you look for; interesting, exciting, valuable and really fun!
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Wow, not many organizations work that way – how refreshing!
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