The Leadership Institute at Harvard College

To start blogging on a leadership oriented website, I can only assume the rite of passage must require a person to state, learn more, and later edit and restate, what they believe to define leadership.

I have often heard it said that figures like Hitler, Gandhi, Caesar, and numerous others were great leaders.  Certainly they were great influencers, motivators, and builders.  Caesar built the Roman Empire, Gandhi led India to independence, and Hitler changed the face of the world.  But I am sure at this point one name stands distinctly out.  Unlike Caesar or Hitler, Gandhi changed the world through civil disobedience, non violent protest.  Though Gandhi had many faults, he used his ability to influence for social justice, preaching equality over superiority.  Much in the same way that Martin Luther King did years later.  Even Caesar did not preach equality over superiority as he conquered nations, took slaves, and did not hesitate to indulge in the plunders of war, wealth, and power.  Hitler used his abilities to preach much the opposite of Gandhi - superiority over equality.

Social norms and situational biases influence perceptions, but like Gandhi, great leadership comes from seeking the truth.  The ability to influence or rule does not make one a great leader.  It is the search for truth that fosters humility, objectivity over subjectivity, and develops the moral backbone strong enough to wield the gift of influence.