Considering how many words have been written–especially in recent years–on leadership, it is striking to me how precious few truly wise words have been written on the subject. Apparently there’s a market out there for books on leadership, when most of what you need to know could be learned by reading very old books that don’t have “Leadership” in the title (i.e. The Bible, The Iliad and The Odyssey, etc.). Spend your time with them, and if you have any imagination at all, you’ll learn more about leadership than any hundred modern books. We don’t need “leadership” seminars. We need to read the Great Books.

And, maybe, we need to read Parker Palmer.

Everyone who draws breath "takes the lead" many times a day. We lead with actions that range from a smile to a frown; with words that range from blessing to curse; with decisions that range from faithful to fearful . . . When I resist thinking of myself as a leader, it is neither because of modesty nor a clear-eyed look at the reality of my life . . . I am responsible for my impact on the world whether I acknowledge it or not.

So what does it take to qualify as a leader. Being human and being here. As long as I am here, doing whatever I am doing, I am leading for better or for worse. And, if I may says so, so are you.