Spirit of Leadership

THE SPIRIT OF LEADERSHIP

she learned of a plot to annihilate the Jews, she discovered that she had been born for a critical purpose: preserving her people. Her uncle told her, in effect, “Perhaps you have become queen for such a time as this.” When Esther accepted her purpose, it became her pas sion, and she was willing to risk her own life for its fulfill ment, saying, “If I perish, I perish.” Her courage and grace under tremendous pressure influenced the king to agree to a plan to protect the Jews, who were inspired to rally to defend themselves. Esther was an ordinary woman who was placed in extraordinary circumstances and had a part in influencing and preserving her whole generation. Her sense of purpose and destiny was clear and produced in her a passion for which she was willing to die. This passion impacted and influenced the king and saved a whole nation under her leadership. Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela’s life purpose was the elimination of the policy of apartheid and the establishment of racial equality in South Africa. He desired the formation of a free and democratic society for all people, black and white. His passion for this purpose led him to fight for these causes, for which he was sentenced to life in prison. At his trial, he explained his vision for his country: “P ERHAPS YOU ARE A LEADER FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS .”

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