Is a leader as defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, simply one who directs, the same as a boss? Or something more? I believe a leader is much more than that and can be defined in many ways. In trying to personally define a leader, I will use myself and others as examples. For many years, my teachers, family, and friends told me I was a good leader. Until recently, I had never really thought about what it meant to be a good leader and I took it as a compliment. Leadership is an intangible concept that cannot be properly described in a dictionary, but must be formed and explained only through one's own philosophies and experiences. Perhaps the most important qualities of a leader are passion and motivation. Especially when leading a group for a particular cause, a leader must be personally committed to that cause. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., for example, is a legendary leader because he fought for a cause that directly affected him. If he hadn't insisted for personal reasons, his actions wouldn't have been so passionate. This would have led to a lack of motivation, another essential quality of leadership. A leader faces many obstacles and opposition and therefore must be motivated to continue fighting and leading. A leader's attitude and opinions are valued by the group and therefore, if a leader is motivated, the group will be too. Continued actions and successes, no matter how small, that move the group closer to its goal also contribute to its motivation and dynamism. Other attributes of a leader are selflessness, knowledge, organization, humility and confidence. Perhaps the hardest part of being a leader is knowing that every decision you make will...... middle of paper ......s being responsible for my worldview, I am responsible for my followers as a leader. Successful leadership requires a strong group of supporters. The supporters will all believe in the leader's objectives. When you lead, you are responsible for ensuring that the group is moving in the right direction to achieve its goals. Your supporters will trust you to make the right decisions in the future. Knowing your power to radically change the world is a great responsibility, and one that can be almost scary at times. Ultimately, though, it comes down to trust; confidence in yourself and others. When faced with obstacles or difficult decisions as a leader, I know that I must remain confident and maintain all of the qualities described above as well as countless others. Only then can I act effectively and make changes in my leadership role..