Leadership - Developing Potential

I recently read an interview with Stephen Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People etc.) and I loved two of the things he said about leadership. First he said, "Leadership is basically moral authority and influence, and comes from communicating people's worth and potential so clearly they come to see it in themselves." I think this is brilliant! I love that this statement is about people and not about getting things done. Sure leaders are working towards something, but doing it by working with and for people is so much better than doing it despite people. In fact, some people who are in the role of leadership are actually useless as leaders! Covey addresses this point well too, saying "People are too focused on leadership being a position, and this nurtures a spirit of ambition and achievement rather than a spirit of service and contribution." Talk about nail on the head. All the best leaders I know are fantastic leaders regardless of position, and they realise that if they don't serve and look after their followers they won't truly be effective as a leader. Well done Mr. Covey!!