Influencing others to expend their energy to accomplish a shared vision, common objectives, or a mutually agreed-upon task, or goal. It is building and maintaining the group as they cooperate in shared effort, working well together. Leadership is taking risk to create reward (a preferable possible future) and helping the group interpret the practical and ethical how-to steps to get there for shared success. It is the ability to guide others without force into a direction or decision. Influence can come from anyone at any level and in any role. Without followers there is no leadership. Leader + Purpose + Followers This is my definition of leadership that is relevant to the context of this collection of content, not the one definition to rule them all in their infinite variety of contexts. Contrast with See management