John C. Maxwell's quote "Leadership is influence" is a concise yet effective statement that speaks with the core of what it means to be a leader. Leadership is not about having a title or a position of power, however rather about having the capability to influence and inspire others. Leaders have the capability to encourage and direct their followers, to create a vision and to bring it to fulfillment. Leadership is about having the nerve to take threats and to make decisions that will benefit the higher good. It is about having the strength to stand up for what is best and to make a positive impact on the lives of those around you. Leadership has to do with having the capability to influence and inspire others to reach their complete potential.
"It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership"
"Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership"
"The war and terrorism in the Middle East, the crisis of leadership in many of the oil-supply countries in the developing world, the crisis of global warming - all these are very clearly tied to energy"
"President Ford was a devoted, decent man of impeccable integrity who put service to his country before his own self interest. He helped heal our nation during a time of crisis, provided steady leadership and restored people's faith in the presidency and in government"
"As long as the opposition believes the world will stand with Ukraine's democrat reformers, they will have the leverage and the courage to establish a legitimate republic under the leadership of Viktor Yushchenko"
