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The Seven Essences of Leadership

November 25, 2003

1. "There is a clear distinction between leadership and management.
2. There has been a debate about whether leaders are born or made since the time of the ancient Greeks.  The answer is both.  For within every human being is some gift of leadership, be it greater in some than others.  Leadership is the province of all, not the few.
3. Leadership is not the latest 'fad.'  It is a timeless concept which has been recorded and studied for over three thousand years and gives us a richness of understanding.
4. To become a leader, you must become yourself.
5. Leadership transforms the world.
6. Individuals express their leadership gifts when they act as part of an integrated and interconnected whole as they fulfill their purpose and that of the organization.
7. We are all leaders and followers at different times (Owen, 2000, pp. 26-50)."

Reference:  Owen, H. (2000).  In search of leaders.  Chichester, England:  John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Do you agree with these essences of leadership?

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Created: 2008-12-22, Updated: 2009-01-07