Effective leadership is one of the most crucial elements for successfully completing any group project or activity. A good leader can help bring a diverse group of people together and help them to work effectively for a shared vision and goal.

At one time or another, everyone chooses or is asked to be a leader. With training and understanding, we can all be better leaders when we are called to be in a leadership position.

Leadership week (which begins on the first Sunday in February) is an opportunity to learn skills and tools for being effective leaders. These skills will help us throughout our lives, whether we're called to be leaders in our families, a group, at work, in our communities, or as the leader of a movement.

Leadership Week is also a time to remind our elected officials that in a democracy, leaders are not supposed to be guided by their own vested interests, but are supposed to serve the people they lead.