Leading So People Will Follow

The Leadership Way

From ancient times, human beings have sought great leaders. People need leaders to inspire them; throughout history, people have woven stories and legends to illustrate the qualities of a leader. In these sagas, leaders help their communities combat enemy attacks and conquer great perils. Many well-loved myths, fables and fairy tales concern a hero who rescues a princess or a kingdom. As the tale begins, the hero is a decent, unremarkable person, usually male. During the course of the story, he reveals or develops characteristics that enable him to surmount enormous obstacles.

For instance, in one story, the youngest son of a merchant manages to rescue a princess who was chained to a rock atop a mountain by an evil “sorcerer.” A group of “little men” threaten the hero at first, but he wins their support by inspiring them with the story of his quest. The hero thus succeeds where his elder brothers failed, because he is “farsighted, passionate, courageous, wise, generous” and “trustworthy.”

Such are the foundational attributes you need to develop in order to become a great leader. The young man in the story has the unstinting encouragement of...