Leadership is a service to others or to community. Leadership can breed contempt and suspicion in some of those who choose not to lead, and so must be exemplary and transparent. It takes judgment , feedback, learning and reflection on experiences. It requires a facilitative capacity and flexible style that seeks to balance competing demands, ensures ethical integrity, and nurtures relationships. Leaders will choose whatever is 'the right thing to do'.
Leadership is an act of self-selection.
In the U.S.A., Asia, and Europe, there is a rising tide of public dissatisfaction with status quo leadership. Runaway growth and consumption practices are proving to be simply unsustainable. Innovations and 'breakthrough' thinking will be required of individuals, organizations, communities, and countries to handle these challenges. True examples of leadership are hard to find in the political arena, in business, even in our communities. However, they ARE there.