"Lead, follow, or get out of the way"

This quote by Thomas Paine is a call to action for those who remain in a position of leadership. It recommends that those in a position of power must take the effort and blaze a trail, or if they are not ready to do so, they must a minimum of follow the lead of someone else. If they are not ready to do either of these things, then they ought to get out of the method and enable somebody else to take the lead. This quote motivates people to take responsibility for their actions and to be proactive in their leadership. It also serves as a tip that those in a position of power should not hesitate to take dangers and make choices that will benefit the higher good. Eventually, this quote is a reminder that those in a position of power need to take the initiative and lead the way, or at least follow the lead of somebody else, and if they are not willing to do either of these things, then they should get out of the way and enable someone else to take the lead.