Having read several books about leadership, the one "take away" I remember most vividly is where you would want to look for great leaders. While there are many examples of sterling leadership in the military and the marketplace has many accomplished leaders as well, this particular text insisted that the best leaders are found in volunteer organizations. Reason being is that within the military paradigm, you're obligated to follow your superiors as per the Uniform Code of Military Justice. In the workplace, you have to do as your told if you want to keep your job. In voluteer organizations, however, you don't have a specific infrastructure that compels people to buy into your vision. Instead you have to inspire them and make the "want" to follow you. I've served in a leadership capacity in several volunteer organizations as well as in the military. I've also worked as a "team lead' by coordinating with offshore consultants. The need to inspire may not alwasy resonate as a priority with some, but I try to make that my mantra any time I find myself in charge. The adage that says people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care is absolutely true. While there are times you have to make an unpopular decision, the fact that you lead by example and labor to cultivate a culture of compassion makes a big difference and that is the approach I bring to the office.