I have had the opportunity to work with visionaries and the misfortune to work with rogues. All told, I’ve learned just as much from both. From the good, I have taken lessons of fortitude, confidence, and determination. From the bad, I’ve learned the power of persistence and to accept things that are beyond my own ability to influence. I am learning when to pick fights and when to hold my tongue. Some lessons are harder and others more enduring than others, yet all are valuable in their own way.

Real leaders set the agenda and let good people working for them figure out the best way to get there. Poor leaders make statements like “that’s wrong… fix it” without providing guidance on what aspects they dislike or proposing solutions to make it better. Leaders seek success, while others cower from fear of failure.

I work with good people, trying desperately to do good work… But the leaders of our leaders can’t manage to stop cowering. I hope to God I’ll never be afraid of making a decision.