Where can we find authentic leadership?

In a world where too many political leaders are arrogant, corrupt and self-serving, where do we find genuine leadership and what qualities define it? 
 
The 24 fellows with the new 2020 cohort of the Aspen New Voices Fellowship shared their views at the start of a week-long workshop on advocacy, op-ed writing and media training. As a communications mentor for the Fellows, I will be helping to guide them through the year—and I also learn from them constantly.  Here’s what I heard about leadership.
 
One Fellow described a true leader in his life: the Principal of the College of Medicine who offered his students a ride to visit a fellow student recently discharged from a mental health hospital. The Principal's moral humility and deep caring for his students were the hallmarks of his leadership.
 
The Fellows described a good leader as someone who:

• Sets a vision and brings people along
• Is a good mentor
• Is humble and serves others
• Is passionate about the mission
• Does not take advantage of their power—especially men
• Is able to identify peoples’ potential and nurture them
• Can sense your self-doubt and help you overcome it, especially important for women leaders supporting women
• Lives the change they want to see. Sometimes we have to change  ourselves first and then we can advocate for similar changes in the community.

 
Good leaders are all around us: in our workplaces, our families, our organizations, our communities, our governments--and in the New Voices Fellowship. Good leaders are in our lives.  We can learn from them, even as we advocate for change, and aspire to be our own best selves.

What other qualities do you think define authentic leadership, and who have been great leaders in your life?