In my leadership lecture and seminars, which I share with governmental, educational, business, nonprofit, and religious organizations around the world, I usually begin with a statement that encapsulates my philosophy of leadership: "Trapped within every follower is a hidden leader." I am always amused to watch the reaction on the faces of the audiences as they attempt to grapple with the implications of this statement. I can usually predict their first thought, which is often the question, "If every follower is a potential leaders, then who is going to follow?" This reaction is natural and legitimate in light of our traditional concepts and philosophy of leadership, as they have been promoted over the centuries.

However, the above statement contains the essence of what the original philosophy of leadership was intended to be. It is upon this premise that I propose the belief that leadership is inherent in the human spirit of every person, but only a minute fraction of the human population ever knows, discovers, believes, or attempts to develop or release this hidden leadership potential.

My awareness of this suppression of our leadership gifting gave birth to the deep purpose in my heart, which has become the passion of my life: to help as many people as possible, of every nation, race, creed, or social status, to discover their true leadership potential.