lead from the root of Old English lithan to go
1. to cause [others] to go with oneself
2. to guide on a way
3. to go through (life or some other period of time)
4. to go with usu. at the head and direct the operations of
5. to bring by reasoning, cogency, or other influence to some conclusion or condition
[from Webster's Third New International Dictionary, 1981]
participate from part + capere to take
1. partake
2. to impart a share of
[from Webster's Third New International Dictionary, 1981]
leadership a meaning-making process (creating names, interpretations, and commitments to actions, other people, and values) of connecting people to one another and to some social activity, work, or enterprise
[from Making Common Sense: Leadership as Meaning-making in a Community of Practice by Drath and Palus]
leadership contrasted with management
leadership is an influence relationship to produce significant changes that reflect participants’ mutual purposes
management is an authority relationship to coordinate activities to produce or sell goods or services
[from the leadership scholar Joseph Rost in Leadership for the Twenty-First Century]
Why do leadership?
It’s fun to be part of a change initiative. It challenges our thinking and creativity, connects us with others who share a similar passion, and awakens a feeling of being alive.
Let’s participate in change initiatives—ones that are already going on, or by starting new ones. Be curious, experiment, and have fun—we’ll improve as we practice.