What does it mean to be a leader?

It means you are willing to step up and take on a challenge and make decisions even if some are going to be unhappy with them.

As well as the more traditional leaders, some people lead purely by example. They just get out there and do what needs to be done and others follow. They may have no desire to ‘lead’ or take control, they just see something they believe needs to be done and that they can do and they act.

When everyone asks you which restaurant we should all eat at every family gathering.

The ability to refrain from calling stupid people stupid, at least to their face.

Someone who inspires others to willingly – even happily – follow.

When I led a department, my biggest task was to encourage people to follow their own suggestions and ideas to improve the workplace or to manage it better. Doing so made them want to carry out their visions in such a way that they were emotionally invested in wanting to work better.

My role was to help them anticipate pitfalls and to stay within broad guidelines. And then when they had success, it was to recognize them so that others could see that by being innovative and thinking, one could step out of the crowd and shine.

See @augustlan
Having the ability to inspire others to, figuratively or literally, move in a particular direction. One must be able to “walk the walk” as well as “talk the talk”.

You inspire others to follow your lead. You are responsible for your team.

To take a risk doing something different.

A manager optimizes the status quo. A leader has a vision and enables change.

A leader is about maintaining the integrity of self…

A leader is the one who will risk having his name on the charge sheet…

A leader is someone who can get you do things that you should do but don’t want to!

A leader is the one who makes the rules by breaking many other rules to help his followers succeed.

…power to delegate people.