Every one of the geezers who continues to play a leadership role has one quality of overriding importance: neotony. The dictionary definition is that neotony, a zoological term, involves "the retention of youthful qualities throughout old age." It is more than merely retaining a youthful appearance, although that is often part of it. Neotony is the retention of all those wonderful qualities that we associate with youth: curiosity, playfulness, eagerness, fearlessness, warmth, energy.

Taking charge of your own learning is a part of taking charge of your life, which is the sine qua non in becoming an integrated person.

The manager asks how and when; the leader asks what and why.

Think of a crucible as an occasion for real magic, the creation of something more valuable than an alchemist could possibly imagine. In it, the individual is transformed, changed, created anew. He or she grows in ways that change his or her definition of self.

Leaders are people who believe so passionately that they can seduce other people into sharing their dream.

Make sure you have someone in your life from whom you can get reflective feedback.

Charisma is the result of effective leadership, not the other way around.