Hi Erin:

Like Wally's comments above, I too have experienced much frustration over the years with people who want to be leaders, try to be leaders, but are sadly not leaders. Being a former leader in the military, I completely understand what the person commenting was trying to say, even though it may not have been expressed well. There are simply too many people operating in positions where they have no business operating.

In the corporate world I have had to clean-up many a mess created by well intentioned, but completely inexperienced people who were trying to do the right things - they just didn't know what the right things were.

As Wally indicated, a good moral compass is the best tool that a leader can possess, but void of experience, discernment, savvy, insight, and a whole host of other qualities the moral compass alone can only insure that said leader attempts to do the right thing based upon their definition, but it won't necessarily keep them from wandering off course.

All of this said, I knew some people in the military who were failed leaders as well. Rank, title, position, etc., are also not the basis to judge someone's ability as a leader. As Wally said, you cannot be a leader without followers. You might be a legend in your own mind, but that doesn't necessarily make you a leader.

Lastly, with regard to the leader that is Erin Schreyer...You may not have served in the military, but you are certainly an accomplished leader. Everything I have observed of you tells me that you have both the experience, moral character, and proven track record of accomplishments that point to no other conclusion than that of true leader.

To those attempting to lead from where they are...they should keep trying, but should also not confuse effort with capability.