Thanks for your post. I was concerned until you included the idea that leading includes getting out of the way. I recently wrote a short article on how to get out of the way. I'd appreciate your thoughts. http://leadershipfreak.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/g…

Thanks again.. all the best,

Leadership Freak Dan Rockwell

Good post. I would agree with you. Leadership is not a part time exercise. While there is never a time when you are not leading, there are times when you are letting others lead. So while you are not “in the lead” you are leading. Following is an act of leadership. To describe this function, it is understandable why someone would refer to it as "not leading." But you are right, it can be misleading.

Michael
Lead From Where You Are

I agree with the central theme of your post: that leadership at its finest is an overall state of being. I think where the confusion sometimes creeps in is when the issue of "taking action" arises. That's when the phrase "when to lead" comes about. When followers are looking to their leadership for direction, then leaders must be more overt in their "leadership" behaviors.

Maybe it's a semantics thing?

Always enjoy your insights and opinions…thanks for commenting Mike. Enjoy your "down-time" this weekend.

Thanks for your comment. You make an astute observation in pointing out the issues that can arise from decisions surrounding whether or not to take action. Always tough calls, but the outcome is always influenced by good leadership, or a lack thereof.

Thanks Jennifer