This article addresses the philosophical questions of what it means to be a leader and how you perceive yourself as a leader. The author argues that leadership can be viewed from three perspectives: as the exercise of influence, as an expression of your values, and as a statement of your hopes and dreams. Effective leadership embraces a way of thinking about your role and your work. The transformation occurs from the inside out. (Note: This article was adapted from the author's "Leadership in Action: How Effective Directors Get Things Done," published by New Horizons in 2003.)