What a great challenge Page. One of my mentors, Norman Behymer always challenged me as a leader to have the courage to recruit very smart and capable leaders and then let them do their job. He would always tell me that if I was the smartest person in the room, I don't have the right people on the team. Because of insecurity, many leaders make the mistake of building teams with the people who are easy to lead. Great leaders are those who know how to listen to other people. Deference is critical because to truly accomplish something great, true collaboration of great minds accomplish much more than one person leading a group of yes people. There is a quote in the greatest business book ever written, "The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." Proverbs 13:20. When I hear the word deference, I think of the moments when wise people around me not only made me better, but protected me from some blind spots that were in my life. Deference in the right situation equates to wisdom.

On the other hand, you are exactly correct, there are times when as a leader you have to make unpopular calls. Every great leader will have to stand alone at some point. Your reasons for going against the group is spot on. Allow me to add one more. Leaders of organizations that make a difference, must be willing to take risks. The risks should be calculated and intentional but there will be moments in the life of every leader when a jump into the uncertain will be required. For good leaders, a lot of times those jumps result in great rewards. At the same time, there are also moments when jumps result in falls. When it is successful, the best leaders share the glory. When it is doesn't turn out, the best leaders accept responsibility. In the midst of the successes and failures of leadership risks, one thing that the great leader must not do is grow to be passive or timid.

Thanks for taking the time to write this article. I was moved by the message.