If asked to describe the characteristics of a great leader, many of us would probably list qualities such as strength, decisiveness, vision, bravery, and charisma. Conjuring up images of respected leaders from the past—Mother Teresa; Martin Luther King, Jr.; Golda Meir; Winston Churchill; Nelson Mandela; and Caesar Chavez—we might focus on traits exhibited by many such visionaries: a thundering voice, an unshakable presence. But true leadership is not about the personal qualities of the leader; rather, it is about the qualities of the led. What traits, attitudes, and capabilities does the leader bring out in the people he or she is called upon to lead? True leaders focus, not on themselves, but on the needs and talents of the people they lead. They strive to empower. Even when they are thrust into the spotlight, they use that spotlight as a platform to inspire their followers and create unity among them, not to advance their own self-image. Simply stated, true leaders lift.