The Penthouse of Leadership (1st Place Essay)
First Place Winner in the 2010 Reed Leadership Student Essay Contest
Abstract
Many leaders today have placed their personal character on hold and instead have chosen to pursue public prestige. They have traded the penthouse for the “top floor.” In contrast, Abraham Lincoln ended up in the penthouse of leadership because his private levels of character, honesty, and integrity matched those which he spoke about in public. The way a person acts when no one else is looking is what defines them. If our leaders prioritize their character and integrity above all else; then like Abraham Lincoln, they too can claim residence in the penthouse.
This paper has been withdrawn.