by William Ernest Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
There are those that choose to lead and there are those that choose to follow. Leadership is a skill, a talent, and an art form. Some people are instinctively good leaders, while others have to really work at developing the skills required.
Regardless of whether a leader has natural-born talent for leadership, or has worked hard at becoming a leader, a leader will possess these qualities: the ability to see beyond a particular situation, and understand the consequences of any given action within the realm of the situation; the ability to empower, inspire and guide those under his or her supervision; the passion, desire and fortitude to stay the course during turbulent times; the ability to change direction when the situation warrants.
