Just as discipline and freedom are opposing forces that must be balanced, leadership requires finding the equilibrium in the dichotomy of many seemingly contradictory qualities between one extreme and another.

• A leader must lead but also be ready to follow.
• A leader must be aggressive but not overbearing.
• A leader must be calm but not robotic.
• A leader must be confident but never cocky.
• A leader must be brave but not foolhardy.
• A leader must be humble but not passive; quiet but not silent.
• A leader must be attentive to details but not obsessed with them.
• A leader must be close with subordinates but not too close.

So often the easy path calls us. Discipline means taking the hard road – the uphill road. To do what is right. For you and for others. The harder things are, the easier things get.

I had the opportunity to interview the author of this book, John Hawkins on NITCH Radio. This book is written to serve as guide that you can always come back to and reference. All of the chapters are stand alone chapters that cover a principle on greatness and living a life of excellence. “Greatness is not something that happens by accident. Rather, it’s accomplished through the successful completion of a series of goals, steps, and objectives over time.” This is recommended reading.