Page, thanks for a great post. At the end you challenged me. I agree with your comments about the importance of deference and difference.  Sometimes I believe people mistake passivity or disengagement for deference. And sometimes we mistake inconsiderate or dictatorial decision making for making a difference.

But there is (in my opinion) an underlying bottom-line. The choice to be a leader means that the choice between deference and difference is not solely the leader's choice. It's a choice the leader makes based on the people, the organization and the purpose they serve.  Leaders who choose poorly tend to be those who choose for selfish objectives and reasons. The commitment to be responsible to what's best for the team, organization and purpose is (at least to me) the bottom-line.

Thanks for a challenging and thoughtful post. You always make me think.  Thanks!