What makes a good leader? Is it a teacher or boss you like? The gal or guy with all the great ideas? A smooth talker? Maybe a good leader is all those things.

I have a very difficult time defining what a good leader is yet, I know one when I am in the presence of one.

When you think back on your life experiences, who has inspired you? What was it that they did or said to have such an impact? When I reflect on the people who have had the greatest impact on my life I think of the following: trust, love, belief, understanding, and a kick in the pants when needed as a way to define their impact on me.

I believe that leadership is a journey of discovery. It is the expression of a person at her or his best and whose aim is to transform something for the better and to develop this potential in others.

Leadership is not just about solutions. It involves those around us. A great leader takes risks by freeing the creative genius in their followers. By communicating a vision that animates, motivates and inspires followers a great leader is able to transform an organization.

A good leader is able to laugh, while a great leader is able to laugh at oneself.

Webster’s Dictionary has as its top definitions of a leader: 1) One that leads or guides, 2) One in charge of others, 3) The head of an organization. But just because someone is the head of an organization, a business or a country does that necessarily make them a good leader?

Often we attempt to define leadership by position. One’s position is not always determinate of being a good leader. Many times it is a result of good management skills.

Good leaders make people feel that they are at the very heart of things, not on the periphery. Everyone feels that they make a difference to the success of the organization when led by a true leader. It’s called empowerment.

Essayist William Deresiewicz argues that leadership requires solitude, focus and meaningful relationships. Without these attributes, he says, it’s hard to arrive at thoughts that are truly your own. Making it difficult to develop the moral compass and moral courage necessary to act on those thoughts.

Deresiewicz, who taught at Yale University, says these particular attributes are exactly the qualities our leading educational institutions are failing to cultivate in their students. Instead, colleges are training young Americans to excel in the qualities our society rewards - jumping through hoops and climbing the greasy pole of career and financial success.

While I do not have a concrete definition of a leader, I believe the willingness and courage to speak out when a wrong is being committed against another is the sign of a strong leader.

Through organizations such as the Penguin Project of McLean County and the McLean County Diversity Project one learns and develops the skills necessary to become a leader.

Participants expand comfort zones, discovering that we are not all alike while finding the commonality in each of us.

Dee Wilson, Director
The Penguin Project of McLean County