I am a leader by default, only because nature does not allow a vacuum.
Interpretation
Leadership often arises in the absence of clear direction, as individuals step up to fill the void when needed.
Desmond Tutu's quote emphasizes the nature of leadership as not necessarily a position of power, but rather a response to situations where guidance is lacking. It suggests that when there is a vacuum in leadership, some individuals will naturally take charge, regardless of their initial intentions or qualifications. This phenomenon reflects the human instinct to lead and take responsibility when circumstances call for it.
In practice
In a team meeting where no one is taking charge, I might quote Desmond Tutu to encourage someone to step up.
The fossil reserves that have already been discovered exceed what can ever be safely used. Yet companies spend half a trillion dollars each year searching for more fuel. They should redirect this money toward developing clean energy solutions
As much as the world has an instinct for evil and is a breeding ground for genocide, holocaust, slavery, racism, war, oppression, and injustice, the world has an even greateer instinct for goodness, rebirth, mercy, beauty, truth, freedom and love.
When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land.
Children are a wonderful gift. They have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for what they are.
Religion is like a knife: you can either use it to cut bread, or stick in someone's back.
Gaza is going to test who believes in the worth of human beings.
It would be wonderful to have a president who talked about bringing America together and exhibited that, who was involved in doing a social project... that would show humility.
I am not a party candidate, and if elected cannot be President of a party, but the President of the whole people.
Because man and woman are the complement of one another, we need woman's thought in national affairs to make a safe and stable government.
The beginning and the end of all Christian leadership is to give your life for others.
Each person must live their life as a model for others.
The problem with leaderless uprisings taking over is that you don't always know what you get at the other end. If you are not careful you could replace a bad government with one much worse!
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