|ˈlēdərˌ sh ip| n.

Throughout the corridors of time and its ballast of scrutiny, leadership is always apparent. However, through these hallowed halls there appears several locked doors, barred by confusion and question. “Is a leader to shout or whisper?” “What advantage does the position carry?”

These and other questions have confused the minds of men and women in the midst of their own quandary. The shuffling motion that is so prone in moments of decision making, the wide-eyed terror that heaves on one, is truly frightening.

What is a leader?

Of all the questions that are forever asked and answered, this one is the most answered yet the least adhered.

The word leadership occupies two differing, though succeeding, thoughts.

The first thought that leadership congers up is the principle of guiding. The sage’s phrase, “Blind leading the blind,” is applicable to ignorance. However, its semi-logical inverse would be, “Sight leading the blind,” which emphasizes this principle of guidance, is applicable to knowledge.

This principle has a certain responsibility that it carries: one, however, which is tied to the power that it wields. If the sight leads the blind, the accountability of direction is solely tied to sight. Thus, sight itself must be guided by a moral compass, for until the blind sees, the responsibility of guiding is too great for any one man.

The second thought that leadership invokes is the practice of commanding. The wise man’s maxim, “Action speaks louder than words,” is a sure foundation. Though the voice of this maxim seems to give passivity to the action of the word command, yet it is not so. The full force of a command is set firmly and squarely behind the commander.

It is this practice of influence that brings man to man; and influence that is unwieldily wielded will warp a worm into a roach; that is, it will turn an influential wimp into an incorrigible knave. Thus, here, too, morality must reign supreme in order that right influence commands the presence leadership.

In light of these, when faced with decision—all the while, confusion baring its nasty head—ask the question: Is this a time for guidance or command?

The mere question may untie the quandary and produce an answer.