The great leaders know that there is no second guessing, no looking back, no mulligans, when the times demand it, great leaders step to the fore and get on with it.
Think about history's greatest moments, it's the story of great men and bold decisions. Think what you will, but "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" , embodied President Ronald Reagan's leadership in confronting the criminal dictatorial regimes of the world with truth.
General Douglas MacArthur, after retreating from a disastrous defeat in the Philippines, uttered the famous promise, "I shall return". That bold statement encapsulated America's resolve in the Pacific, that we would succeed and emerge victorious.
"We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France,
we shall fight on the seas and oceans,
we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be,
we shall fight on the beaches,
we shall fight on the landing grounds,
we shall fight in the fields and in the streets,
we shall fight in the hills;
we shall never surrender"
Churchill decided for himself and the British people, that even in the face of one German victory after another, that there would be no negotiation, no half measures, nothing but victory would suffice.
This is the stuff of great leadership. Nations, teams, people of all stripes, are capable of great things when they have a bold leader with a bold vision to follow.
Most people get one crack at leadership, don't waste yours with half measures and timid goals. Push the envelope, push yourself and your team to give their best, and you'll be amazed at what can be accomplished.
