They call out the best in us. We resonate to their inner experience of their own life callings, and we follow them. Not blindly, but with ever increasing clarity of our own life purposes. This is the unfolding of leadership in a wholistic sense. Leadership finds expression in the person to a greater or lesser degree, but it is more properly associated with the whole.
Leaders understand power in a different way.
The leader's power is not conferred by the organization or system, it is intrinsic. It is never used to motivate, reward, or punish. It is the personal expression of the leader's commitment to the fulfillment of his or her vision or dream. It may be quiet and steadfast or joyously ebullient, but is congruent with their inner character. It is used to build and to enhance.