Great Leaders

Here is a wonderfully wise article by Paul Johnson about the five distinguishing characteristics of great leaders. For my money, he hits them all on the nose.

Most insightfully, Mr. Johnson distinguishes between what could be called "high grades" intelligence and "good judgment" intelligence. It's amazing how many Ivy Leaguers think they're the most brilliant people in the world, but then don't have the judgment to come out of the rain without an umbrella.

And his remarks on courage are dead-on. It's not a one-time display that makes a courageous leader -- it's having the fortitude to stay the course, even when the jackals are nipping at one's heels.