Max De Pree

The signs of outstanding leadership appear primarily among the followers. Are the followers reaching their potential? Are they learning? Serving? Do they achieve the required results? Do they change with grace? Manage conflict?

The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.

No question about it: potential is wrapped in great mystery. Like rainbows, which are really circles-we see only the upper halves, the horizon hides the rest-potential never reveals its entirety.

A friend of mine characterizes leaders simply like this: Leaders don't inflict pain. They bear pain.

In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.