Thanks for a thoughtful post, Erin. I'm going to respond to two separate issues.

First, I have to say that I share the Green Beret's frustration. I've been a leader in the Marines, in a large corporation and a non-profit, and in my own company. Often I hear the advice that's offered by self-proclaimed experts and I think: "Where do you come up with this stuff? Have you ever actually tried what you're recommending?"

I know that people who've never been in a leadership position can give good advice to leaders. James MacGregor Burns, the author of the seminal work, Leadership  introduced the concept of "transformational leadership" didn't lead anyone. Neither has John Keegan, senior lecturer at the British military academy, Sandhurst. Peter Drucker didn't work in a leadership position, either.

Even knowing that, I can still feel that visceral, "what-do-you-know" reaction.

With that said, let me move on to something more substantive. You seem to sum up your position as follows:

"Always do what's right. It does make you a leader. At least that's what I believe."

For me, you are a leader if you have followers. Everything else is commentary.

I like what you say about taking a moral stand. It may show strong character, but it's not leadership unless someone follows.

I applaud the discussion of what makes good character. I think taking a moral stand in the face of popular opinion is something we should encourage. But I don't think either one of those things is necessarily leadership.