Reed Markham is the author of such books as Leadership 2000, Excellence in Public Speaking, and Effective Speechwriting. While most of his writing concentrates on oratory, I want to share with you a quote from Reed Markham about one difference between a good leader and a great leader.

Quote from Reed Markham about a Good Leader and a Great Leader:
“A good leader inspires other men and women with confidence. A great leader inspires them with confidence in themselves.”

Leadership is influence and inspiration is one of the most effective ways to influence people. We are inspired by Michael Phelps by winning 8 gold medals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and many young boys and girls will be lead to work hard and pursue their athletic dreams; some may even go on to become Olympians themselves.

Inspiring Presidential Candidates

Many are inspired by Barack Obama – the rise of the son of a Kenyan father and Kansan mother who went from a community organizer in the mid-90s to be the first African American candidate on a major political party ticket for the Presidency of the United States.

Many are inspired by the story of John McCain. The son and grandson of US Navy Admirals who refused any special treatment and barely survived six years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. The man who later went onto become a US Senator with the rare accomplishments of leading bipartisanship toward issues of campaign finance, border security, and banning torture.

Many also are inspired by Hillary Clinton who was the first viable woman for the Presidency having won nearly 18 million votes in the Democrat Party Primary. In this year of “change” we also have Sarah Palin, the Alaskan Governor who has built a national support base in the matter of less than two weeks as the Republican VP candidate.

Inspired by History in the Making

We are inspired by fact that for the first time in American history, this election in 2008 will be one of the most significant elections in our lifetime. Not only is this the first time that the election was completely open on both sides of the political spectrum, but which ever party wins will make history – either the first African American to be President or the first woman to be Vice President.

With all the history making this year, we are inspired with renewed confidence in our nation. We are inspired to believe that no matter the economic obstacles, we can bounce back and drive on. We are inspired that regardless of the foreign challenges from Islamic terrorism, Russian aggression, or trade disparities; we have the opportunity (or more accurately, the uniquely American “ability”…) to self-correct.

Our nation, which is one of the youngest nations, but one of the oldest governments, inspires confidence in the ennoblement of being American.

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