H

July    13th

A   LEADER  LEADS

“One    person, on  doing   well    by  others, immediately accounts    the expected    favor   in  return. Another

is  not so  quick,  but still   considers   the person  a   debtor  and knows   the favor.  A   third   kind    of

person  acts    as  if  not conscious   of  the deed,   rather  like    a   vine    producing   a   cluster of  grapes

without making  further demands,    like    a   horse   after   its race,   or  a   dog after   its walk,   or  a   bee after

making  its honey.  Such    a   person, having  done    a   good    deed,   won’t   go  shouting    from    rooftops    but

simply  moves   on  to  the next    deed    just    like    the vine    produces    another bunch   of  grapes  in  the right

season.”

—MARCUS AURELIUS,   MEDITATIONS,    5.6

ave you ever heard someone else repeat one of your ideas as though it were their own? Did you ever
notice a younger sibling or relative mimic your behavior, perhaps the way you dress or the music
you listen to? Maybe you moved to a new neighborhood and a bunch of hipsters followed. When we are
young and inexperienced, we can react negatively to these situations. Stop copying me! I was here first!
As we mature, we start to see them in a different light. We understand that stepping up and helping is a
service that leaders provide to the world. It’s our duty to do this—in big situations and small ones. If we
expect to be leaders, we must see that thankless service comes with the job. We must do what leaders do,
because it’s what leaders do—not for the credit, not for the thanks, not for the recognition. It’s our duty.