All of the great leaders have had one characteristic in common: it was the willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership.

Summary

This quote emphasizes that successful leaders possess the ability to address the primary concerns and fears of their people directly. Great leaders understand that addressing these anxieties will bring about positive change and garner support from their followers. They prioritize acknowledging and confronting these issues head-on, rather than focusing on other traits or qualifications. Ultimately, the quote argues that the essence of leadership lies in recognizing and addressing the core anxieties and concerns of the people one is leading.

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