It makes us feel good to do so. Now, we also follow platoon sergeants, self-centered geniuses, demanding spouses, bosses of various persuasions and others, for a variety of reasons as well. But, none of those reasons involve that person s leadership qualities. In order to willingly accept the direction of another individual, it must feel good to do so. This business of making another person feel good, in the unspectacular course of his daily comings and goings is, in my view, the very essence of leadership.
Leaders love people.
They expect the best from them. People respond to such leadership. I have had the opportunity these last six years to work with two outstanding leaders. Former Governor George Allen and Governor Jim Gilmore possess qualities that instill confidence in the people. When former Governor Allen ran for office in 1993, the cornerstones of his campaign were criminal justice reform, welfare reform, and education reform.