Each week we will be asking Dr. Covey to comment on common
questions. This week we ask: what makes a great leader? Q: What
makes a great leader? A: My definition of leadership is
communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly
that they are inspired to see it in themselves. Q: You often say
that leadership is a choice not a position. Can you elaborate on
this? A: Because of the definition I use for leadership, the
ability to become such a leader is a choice that any person can
make; any parent or grandparent, any teacher, any coach, any co-
worker, and friend. When I speak throughout the world, I often
ask audiences, “How many of you had someone in your life that
communicated your worth and potential so clearly that it
profoundly influenced your life?” Inevitably over half the
people raise their hands. I walk around the room and ask them to
share their experience with how it happened, who did it, the
impact that it had upon them, and if they, too, are making the
choice to do the same with other pe