Susan Mazza (<a href="http://twitter.com/susanmazza">@SusanMazza</a>) shared a post titled Every Job is a Leadership Position over on <a href="http://randomactsofleadership.com">Random Acts of Leadership</a> a few days ago.  She expounds on some terms we use here quite a bit related to the difference between positional leadership and character-based leadership.  Positional leadership is influence or authority having a title.  But you can be a person of influence regardless of your position.  The latter is called a character-based leader.  Susan makes a compelling argument for the need for more leaders by playing a bit with the parallel between a job and a position.
<blockquote>If you want to cause change where you work and where you live try taking on the perspective that leading and leading change for the sake of the future you say you want is up to you.</blockquote>
Don't just take my word for it.  Go check it out.  And leave Susan a comment and let her know what you think!