What Is Leadership

Leadership as quoted from Becoming a leader, Everyone Can Do It, by the best selling author, Dr. Myles Munroe, is first being, then doing. It is the ability to inspire others to become and fulfill themselves by you doing the same.
The fundamental difference between "leadership" and "the leader" is, the leader is the designated position and the individual assuming the position, accepting the responsibility and accountability that accompany the designated position.
Leadership, on the other hand, is the function of the designated position and the exercise of the responsibilities involved in the position. There are many instances where individuals who are designated and placed in position as leaders fail to function and provide leadership. In essence a title and position do not guarantee performance and productivity. Therefore it is necessary that we understand the difference between the two ideas and have a working definition of both.
The definition of leadership includes the capacity to influence, inspire, rally, direct, encourage, motivate, induce, move, mobilize and activate others to pursue a common goal or purpose while maintaining commitment, momentum, confidence and courage.
Leaership is the organizing and coordinating of resources, energies and relationships in a productive context for an intended result. In the simplest form, leadership is the managing of managers toward a common goal. Therefore, leadership by its very nature incorporates a clear purpose and vision which provide the fuel for inspiration, motivation, and mobilization.
Leadership is impossible without a guiding vision and a purpose that generates passion for accomplishment. If you desire to be an effective leader, your principal question should be, "Do I have a guiding vision and purpose that justifies my efforts?" King Solomon declares in the book of Proverbs "Where there is no revelation (vision) the people cast off restraint." (Proverbs 29:18). Leadership consists basically of two components: The first is vision and values; the second is inspiring and motivating others to work together with a common purpose. Both components must be in balance if you are to experience effective leadership.
An important ingredient of the leadership function is the ability to draw the best out of other people and inspire them to maximize their potential and that of the resources they manage. The purest form of leadership is influence through inspiration. In fact the greatest and most important aspect of leadership is inspiration.
Inspiration is the opposite of intimidation and is absent of manipulation. There are many so-called leadership where fear is the motivator rather than a commitment based on a response to an inspired life. The discovery of self is the birth of leadership.