Leadership Leadership is defined as the process of motivating others to work to meet specific goals and objectives. My idea of leadership is being able to inspire others, motivate, set a vision, communicate, respect others, and of course, lead by example. A leader must have an honest understanding of who they are, what they know, and what they are capable of. To be a successful leader, you have to be able to convince your followers, not just yourself or your superiors, that you are worthy of being followed. I have been blessed to have a role model like my grandfather, Anthony Modzelewski. A leader motivates others to action, which is exactly what my grandfather does on a daily basis. He constantly urges me to do my best so that I succeed in whatever I am doing. Leadership is not only reflected in someone’s performance, but in accomplishments. Whether in personal, community, or business matters, a leader should always strive to achieve their goals. Whether they be physically in the world or spiritually, a leader is someone a person can look up to for encouragement and motivation. We all look up to someone in one way in one way or another as a sense of comfort. Imagine a man coming to a new country halfway across the world with his wife to start a new life with his new family. Role models are a great help in leadership situations. Leadership role models are people who are already in a position of authority that you look up to and hope to be like. Being a leader takes courage and being a role model encourages the person to continue persevering towards bigger and better things. My grandfather demonstrates the pillar of leadership. I know that if I ever need anything I can depend on my grandfather. He has never let me down whenever I needed him, day or night. He has taught me everything I know today and made me the person I am to this day. His strength has taught me to live my life like that. He never forgets to remind me that you only live once, to go out and do something great with my life. My grandfather proves to me that you can do great things with your life if you try. His constant motivation affects everyone around him. Not only does he encourage me to do by best but everyone from his family to the rest of his friends. My grandfather is ninety-three years old and has been a continuous motivation since the day I can remember. He has lived through a lot which I believe is why his character made him strive to become a leader. World War II is a time we all remember, but for most of us only through books, pictures, and history class. My grandfather has a first-hand account of this horrific time in history. In Poland he was arrested, and sent to the concentration camps by the Nazis. Living through such a traumatizing experience needed strength and dedication, both qualities in which a leader possesses. Coming to a foreign country, from Poland, after the war, with nothing just to be able to provide for his family, my grandfather knew he had to become a leader in order to provide for him and his family. Leadership is something that can be learned or improved upon over time. My grandfather learned to become a leader through his experiences in Poland and in immigrating to a new country. He never failed to remind me “co nie zabije to wzmocni”, in English translated, that whatever does not kill you only makes you strongerLeaders set vision, strategies, goals, and values in order to guide for desired action and behavior which is how my grandfather got by in America. My grandfather has been a living inspiration of leadership and courage. “Leadership is the greatest influence” is a quote by John C. Maxwell which I feel is a quote that makes one want to strive to be their best. I have been fortunate enough to have a grandfather like my own. His experiences and motivation have molded me to become a strong person and to achieve my goals. Effective leaders lead by example and inspire behavior with their daily actions which is exactly what my grandfather does. My grandfather continues to seek self improvement which is a motivation to me to become better at everything I do. Just as my grandfather, I understand the importance of this leadership quality and I am determined to always aspire to be a better leader.