What makes a man a leader?
Man in the human sense.
Is it the standing out up front?
Leading the parade?
Like a dog on a leash leads his master:
The leash gives guidance from behind.
Such leadership is deceptive.
Sometimes even deceptive to the one in front.
Most pitifully to the one up front.
The baby rules the house, say the British.
Power and ambition conjure up the image of tyranny more than the image of influence.
But real power is the ability to influence, not impose.
And worthy ambition is the desire to bring out the best in people.
The reign of the martyr began with it, the tyrant never had it.
Behind every man in his palace is the power behind the throne, yes?
Then who has the power?
Him? The pitiful declarant insisting that he wears the pants?
Her? Is the power from behind an influence, or is it a nagging that won't let itself be ignored?
Leadership is of, by and for the lead.
Not because an honest Abraham said so, because that is the nature of leadership.
Leadership is cyclical, not linear.
Leadership is no great honor.
That is why we must honor it.
It takes us to great places --
But only if we let it.
So we honor leadership hoping to influence ourselves to let us be led.
Denying leadership is trying to break a cycle, which doesn't work.
Campaigning for leadership is trying to impose on a cycle, which doesn't work.
The man who looks not to lead, the type who runs from burning bushes, is trying to deny the cycle. Honor him.
We not only deserve our leaders.
We decide them.
ב"ה