Some people are born good-looking. Some have the gift of gab. And some are lucky enough to be born smarter than the rest of us. Whether we like it or not, Mother Nature does not dole these characteristics out evenly.

The reason we grow up to be healthy adults is because our parents played this game of giving us responsibility, disciplining us when necessary, letting us try, letting us fail. No matter what we know they are there to support us and see us do well. Leaders are exactly the same.

Walt Disney had a very clear sense of why. He was about happiness. Remember when Disney was founded, it was during war. People said that life sucked. And he said, "No." He was an eternal optimist who said: "Life is beautiful. It's about giving. It's about family." Look what happened. His cause grew and people committed themselves to helping him grow the Disney why and it was hugely successful.

To be authentic is to be at peace with your imperfections.

It is not the genius at the top giving directions that makes people great. It is great people that make the guy at the top look like a genius.

The hardest part is starting. Once you get that out of the way, you'll find the rest of the journey much easier.

Believing that your competition is stronger and better than you pushes you to better yourselves.