Was the hero of Flight 253 a born leader?
Leadership begins with a choice backed by a belief that we can make a difference. It is an act of optimism, and it is to be celebrated, because leadership can be risky and is sometimes downright dangerous. Leaders are not always appreciated, their success is not guaranteed, and sometimes they are figuratively and even literally assassinated for their efforts. Many are willing to watch and criticize out of the limelight and from positions of relative safety, but I’ve always admired those who have the confidence and intestinal fortitude to lead despite the risk. We should be a bit more specific about what we mean by leadership. Well-intentioned people can easily talk past each other on this subject. Perhaps we should question whether an action conceived and implemented by one person without involving others constitutes leadership. While often admirable and a catalyst, leadership is more than a solo act of instinct by an individual. Many who study leadership would agree that at its essenc
