Maybe Today

Leadership can be defined in many ways; still, it ultimately is the art of helping people work together to achieve a common purpose and is a critical factor in the work of advancing community.
The following is one of my favorite definitions:
"The first job of a leader is to define a vision for the organization.... Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality." — Warren Bennis,
I believe that a leader must have the intellectual capacity to perform in ways that understands the needs of others. Leaders apply this ability through key attributes, such as beliefs, values, ethics, character, knowledge, skills and empathy.
I believe that a leader must be able to develop positive interpersonal relationships with others. To inspire those around them, there are certain things they must be, know, and, do. These generally do not come naturally or can be it be easily taught, but are most often acquired through continual practice, application and perception. Good leaders are continually working and studying to improve their leadership skills; they are not resting on their laurels.
Ultimately, leadership is about results initiated by the leader and developed and completed through group members that result in satisfying the group's goals. Leaders must have an honest understanding of who they are, what they know, and what they can do. Because it is the followers, not the leader who determines if a leader is successful. If they do not trust or lack confidence in their leader, then they will be uninspired. To be successful you have to convince your followers, not yourself or your superiors, that you are worthy of being followed.
Leadership is not an egocentric endeavor, but rather creates a sense of community accomplishment that allows most of the community to feel their objectives have been met. Leaders can make people feel that they have been led where they wanted to go. Colin Powell states that great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who cut through argument, debate and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand and remember.
There have been all kinds of leaders in history from every endeavor - battles, business, education, social, politics, etc. But what exactly separates the "great" leaders, such as, Jesus Christ, Ghandi, Lincoln and Martin Luther King from Hilter, Stalin and Jim Jones? Not every leader stood for something positive, powerful and larger than life. Truly great leaders have a community vision - that provides for a positive future, without abusing, exploiting, cheating or sacrificing people for "selfish" gains. And, most importantly, they showed the way by leading upfront.
Development of community leaders is a never-ending process beginning with the identification of potential leaders, drawing them into areas of involvement, and providing them opportunities to lead. Because teaching leadership is very difficult, you should - indeed, I would say you must - learn how to lead through application. Even people who do think of themselves as leaders can develop leadersip skills through practice.
You have to choose to be a leader. Easier said than done, but it really is that simple. Becoming a better leader is as much a state of mind as anything else. You can develop your leadership capacity, if you want to, no matter how many people (even if none) are reporting to you as their boss. Is there anyone stopping you? The only person who can do so is the one in the mirror.