Leadership is the art of coordinating individuals within a group and focusing them on a specific task through motivation and inspiration. In a peacetime environment this is not such a challenge, but during an intense conflict and abundant violence this becomes a challenge to say the very least. All throughout history there have been people with the ability to lead possessing the traits and skills that have shaped and molded our country for generations. Whether they were born with leadership coursing through their veins or they acquired it among their life's experiences. Leadership is not unique to the military community; however, it is most notably associated with training warriors and leading them into combat. .
Throughout every childhood in the United States of America there lies an abundance of leadership. Everywhere one looks one can see some form of leadership. Beginning at an early age we all learn from our parents, and they lead, shape and form us from the start. As we grow we branch out from the family to experience interaction with others. As we learn to play well with others in games like follow the leader and dodge ball we are building upon our earlier lessons in leadership. .
In the beginning leadership is simple and clear. Someone stands out and says we are going to do this, and the rest of the group agrees and then go on. As we progress and grow into our own we are prone to favor ourselves as the most qualified leader in every situation. Judgement is a key ingredient in the recipe for becoming a good leader, and the ability to make sound decisions is a prerequisite for leadership.
Leadership ability is not solely attributable to one characteristic. Many factors come into play when in a leadership role, .
and throughout our endeavors in life we are challenged to assume that leadership role at some point or be destined to follow. Not all tasks associated with leadership are going to be easy or nice, and never again will leadership be as easy as that distant game of follow the leader.