"A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not."

I attend a spiritual study group occasionally. I especially enjoy one in particular on Monday nights because it is hosted by a brilliant friend who continually challenges me to grow.

I attended last night's class and was disappointed to find he wasn't there. The other students know me as a fellow teacher of this particular area of study and thus, naturally, I began to lead the class in my friend's absence.

As the only single parent among my friends responsible for the care, feeding and lives of two small children, as a triathlete accountable for self-motivation while training alone, as the sole person skilled at my job, as a person always striving for more, thinking ahead, dreaming big, I am a leader in many areas of my life. It is what I do.

Why then do I sometimes want to blend into the crowd, hide among the students, wallflower myself into obscurity if only for a little while?

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."
~ John Quincy Adams

Do you think leaders get tired of leading?

Do you sometimes find yourself fighting who you naturally are?