In the modern context, what stands out as an exemplary exhibition of leadership capacity? More often, it is an illusion. Among role model portrayals, the characteristics of an extraordinary leader are contingent on their application within a particular environment, rather than on those who espouse all manner of irrelevant conjecture. Exceptional leaders are on a personal journey of self-evolution, and in today's world, they are very rare. At every step of the journey, a potential leader confronts the challenge of competency, which unfolds through profound introspection, maturation, ongoing learning, real-world experience, education, and knowledge development. But, there is even more than that. Leadership in an era of leaderless pretensions, immaturity, and sophomoric, self-serving, narcissistic antics betrays the very essence of leadership. Most alleged "leaders" in an organization are pretenders. Typically, especially in politics, they have managed to fail upward. In fact, in the postmodern spectrum, the word 'leader' is nearly meaningless.

     The secret is in the fact that there is no secret. There is no “single theory”, formula, complex equation, or classic template that discloses the essentiality of leadership. Because of that, most workshops, seminars, and so-called leadership training programs are useless. Such a sphere of transformation does not arrive in a well-packaged and cleverly marketed gimmick. Yet, in a “celebrity worship culture”, for instance, the status quo inclination falls in the direction of some superficial form of salesmanship or snake oil elixir. More often than not, in an era of leaderless pretensions, from commerce to politics to the theater, many think they know the answer. Yet, most of the babble is just noise. The emotion-laden collective of the social mainstream is filled with people espousing special insight and bogus expertise with experience.

     A leader is unique, and each evolves in a special kind of differentiation that a pretentious guru would not comprehend. One of the first things likely expressed by those in the field of real-world interactions is the notion that one leads by example, grounded in practical experience. A leader shapes the atmosphere around them that defines a well-differentiated personality. With a unique style and profound creativity, he or she is constantly proactive, involved, and committed to the process, demonstrating a strong sense of enthusiasm. The leader demonstrates a personal style of activism. As part of that, his or her presence conveys the physicality of a guide, mentor, and directional motivator. Enthusiasm for the mission, a passion for the tradecraft, and a consummate professional are elemental factors that stir the ingenuity of leading.

     Sometimes entertaining, never boring, and very daring, the leader is part of a self-evolving process of personal transformation to higher mature ascendency. While many aspects of the personality characteristic are explicable in terms of belief systems, specific attributes depend on the situation at hand. From the alleged realms of higher education to the halls of political institutions and other organizational frameworks, many boast of “leadership” concepts. Definitions vary as to the personal agenda or interests of those defining the conjecture. Here, the emphasis is on public services to ensure safety and security, grounded in the oath of office. Moreover, the reflection is that of the “warrior concept” is vital. As to the “warrior concept”, or framework for philosophy of duty, discipline, and devotion, further discussion follows. Within that sphere, the classical school of criminology likewise pervades the intertwining connectivity.

     Other viewpoints, as well as various schools of thought, can claim or assert whatever conjecture fits the necessity of their dispositions. Bias knows no limitations, while observers influence the observation of what is or is not important characterizations. Likewise, organizational “consensus building”, perhaps laced with a “dumbing down” imposition, may affect perceptions as well as anticipated outcomes of alleged “leadership training”. The particular culture of the organizational framework may also have a bearing upon the development of the status quo. Regardless, the concept of leadership in the public safety services, such as law enforcement and the military assume a different journey than other societal endeavors and interactions.

     A departure from the safe confines of non-practitioner speculations, as in the world of “higher academia”, experiential exposure to the diverse range of human behavior provides insight and credibility to those who risk “mind,” body, and energies in service to oaths taken. As to the conceptualization of something often called the “mind”, the term is used metaphorically to refer to the complex organic process of the human brain. No mystical, magical, or mythical claims are propositional herein. All too often, especially in the pseudosciences (criminology, psychology, sociology, and theology), aka the “social studies arena”, superficial simplicity defaults to unscientific assertions. Pretentious claims of truth regarding human behavior confront the vital necessity of scientific validation in the efficacy of evidentiary authenticity. Otherwise, it’s simply anecdotal opinion. As such, opinion, rumor, and gossip are not matters of evidentiary criteria. Meanwhile, from academia to mainstream news and social media, specious conjecture pretends to foster ignorance over substance. Across the spatial spectrum of culture, the inglorious notion that the concept of leadership can be surmised with trouble-free simplicity.

     Within the diverse expanse of the American law enforcement community, the delineation of leadership expression is an ongoing discourse of varied opinions. While many think they know what that is, only a few humbly explain the intricacy of what it means to be a leader. Most do not have a clue. Closely connected to an expression of leadership is the professional model of policing. Inside that is the perspective on the precepts of the "warrior ideal". Basically, that factor relates to the idealism of a valiantly dedicated servant. That is, one who knows, understands, and can explain the oath of office. But also, he or she profoundly comprehends both cannons and the code of police ethics. The latter of which are seldom found in most texts in collegiate criminal justice studies. Or, for that matter, the reference sources or lectures of those who allegedly claim to teach such a subject.  In some sectors of public safety concern, there is the commentary of “warrior vs guardian”. Often, metaphorical inferences lead to superficial, tentative meanings.

     And, with the proliferation of the arrogance of ignorance, the conceptualization becomes confused, over-simplified, and fictionally exaggerated. Suffice it to say, herein, the “warrior concept” is more valid than other alternatives, and is needed more today than ever before. For those organizational structures outside that realm, definitional criteria are incumbent upon the individual and group perspective residing therein. In an era of leadership pretensions, caution is augmented by the necessity to research, evaluate, and assess the admonitions of others, imagining special knowledge. As such, the argument of “warrior vs guardian” becomes an example on point. Some get the metaphorical implications, while others are woefully ignorant. As the number of useless meetings increases, time-wasting workshops proliferate.

     In well-led organizations, agencies, or institutional structures, a profound sense of intuitive appraisal, along with creativity, drives rigorous rational processes. Mature and wiser perspectives as to the efficacy of proposed “new” initiatives are thoroughly investigated, with logical expectations. Across the complex spectrum of LEO tradecraft, every training or operational aspect is rigorously analyzed. As pseudoscience cuts across every delivery process, system, or product, flawed operational outcomes are highly probable. This is especially certain with the advent of AI (alleged artificial intelligence) and so-called advanced technology. Is hype, salesmanship, mass marketing, fraud, junk science, and so? A leader knows better than to accept anything at face value. The adage applies: if it is too good to be true , then it is likely not true . As to the relevance of eventual impact and practical application, skeptical analysis queries any existing evidentiary validation. What is the truth, and who is trusted? The answer is nothing and no one.

     That is, of course, until every issue is vigorously tested. Leaders, from a warrior point of view, given their training, education, and experience, maturity, realize many things come cleverly packaged and marketed as the latest panacea. Every training session, workshop, seminar, and academic endeavor is filled with such potential. Meanwhile, for the less evolved among influencers and make-believe decision-makers, political correctness, incompetence, and organizational pandering are among the factors that promote future failure. Such matters contributed to flawed investigations that bring harm rather than help to others. Successful leaders are quick to comprehend the visionary assessment of likely erroneous outcomes. The savvy leader is quick to find solutions without fear, doubt, or semblance of cowardice in the face of opposition. For him or her, the authentic leader, not the faux plastic kind, taking risks is all part of it. And criticism is always present, followed closely by condescension, jealousy, and animosity.

     A good leader knows that at any given moment, he or she must be prepared to resign from the office being held. It takes great courage to standup in the face of opposition. After all, making waves is what real leaders do; they rock the boat when it is the right thing to do. High-level expertise in interpersonal communication skills is essential. The leader works relentlessly to maximize such skills. It’s an ongoing transformation process. Particularly, since humans are very adept at deception, assessing early warning signs is vital. Communicating becomes especially relevant. Recognizing the deceptive potentiality, listening, and learning aid in recognizing the probability of various types of con artistry. Being should never feel comfortable in the sense one gets lazy in the job. An effective leader learns to discern the instigations of egregious fallacies of inference. Self-serving, faulty claims and irrational thinking permeate every organization, which leads to disastrous, hastily drawn conclusions. Emotional reactivity is multifaceted.

     A compassionate leader is keen to “word-play”. Defined by neither status nor ostentatious presence, the leader enhances their insight through profound introspection, self-evolving differentiation, and attentiveness to the subtleties of semantic oversimplification. In selfless persistence, leaders are not fearful of the sacrifices required to fight the good fight for ascended enlightenment and to advance professional capacity. While many proselytize the notion of the greater good for the “collective”, a leader's warrior spirit is about the self-evolving essence of individuality in his or her uniqueness and a strong sense of personal liberation. Wise to the hidden agendas and dysfunctional motivations, the warrior leader is keen to quickly appraise the dynamics of group or “herd” thinking that leads to operational dysfunction.

     No one is required to be a "leader" in any organization. Instead, one can strive be a good manager or supervisor. Managers and supervisors can work very hard at maintaining the status quo, ensuring objectives are met, and making sure "paperwork" gets done. But leaders in a culture of what has been called "sissy nation", or "wussified society", are unique and very rare. In fact, it has been said that America is now characterized as having a leadership vacuum. For the leader, they persevere to ensure Maturation into higher realms of personal ascendancy in personal transformation. Meanwhile, "children in adult bodies" pretending to be "leaders" often expose their childlike fixations or infantile fantasies over reality. On the approach to the reality of the real world, the leader understands the sometimes-harsh necessity of setting aside status quo collectivism. Ensuring the status quo consensus, or contrived normalcy, for the “greater good” may not be in the best interest of achieving the long-range objectives.

     Often, once the stars or other insignia are attached to the uniform, the glitz and glamour of it all preclude the necessity of daring leadership. In the postmodern sense, there is a dire need for a serious authenticity in extraordinary leadership. In many organizations, particularly in the public sector and private enterprise, people fail upward with each passing moment. In one forum for instance, in a collegiate environment training program, the word “collective” repeatedly admonishes individuality and creativity. The hypocrisy reaches the level of idiocy at the same time the cliché of "thinking outside the box" is loosely tossed about. But, contrived consensus is proselytized, communal consistency, safe mediocrity, and the absence of resistance or redress are promoted. With the subtle sleight of hand, favor is given to the status quo of stagnation. Such illicit characterological advocacy for the commonality, or the path of least resistance, fosters the consistency of mass subservience and promotion of incompetence.

     However, for the leader, "thinking outside the box" is a multidimensional reality that actually contradicts reality. Creative individuality, in that sense, means the leader is thinking way beyond the box. He or she is so far beyond that that the box disappears in the shadows. For this strenuous effort, he or she represents a potent human force of command presence as well as a strong, dynamic, and confident personal expression. Described by some writers as “heroic”, personal capability argues a fitness to take command in spite of criticisms, impediments, or dangers in his or her leading ability. As mentioned earlier, the leader is not job scared. With skills fine-tuned over time through experience, yet always improving, the leader is a living example characterized by a disciplined, hard-working, and focused grown-up personality.

     To portray a symbolic generality, yet poignant example, a story is often told of the sheepdog, the sheep, and the wolves. Basically, the police officers are the sheepdogs bravely guarding the sheep, or the people. Wolves, no doubt, metaphorically, are the many adversaries, such as the organization itself, the community, people of every lifestyle or status, the news media, social media, and political processes. Different variations of that story appeared over time and circumstance, depending on the relevance of the application. It is a generality. Such storytelling applies to leadership. Regardless, as the public may be critical and condescending of the police, even violent, when the wolves come, one lone sheep stands between the wolves and the sheep. Whereas the sheepdog protects the flock, the sheep disdain the presence of such relentless protectiveness. Until, of course, the wolves come around. For this, the sheepdog will put himself or herself between the flock and the predators.

     It is a sacrificial act of duty, devotion, and discipline whereby courage overrides conformity. As to the diversion to issues of so-called “corporate leadership” or “political leadership”, a unique distinction is drawn between the value of personal value and the value of personal profit. In the present moment, day to day, heroic ideals ascend above the mundane, the superficial, and all the self-serving pretensions of egocentric satiations. For the leader it is a call to service, a calling, by virtue of a personal transformation beyond the self-serving enslavement of the collectivistic conformity. A leader is the final authority on their direction and decision-making in his or her life, living, and longevity. Within the various schemes of pseudo-pontifications about what leadership is or is not, consequences erupt at any time to dissuade the leader from their path. While there are always choices to be made, there are repercussions with damning results.

     A leader is a warrior without pretensions who works hard on personal self-discipline, learning about oneself, and with the resolve to prevail against all odds. Expressions of leadership are outside the crowd, the herd mentality, or the safety of crowd pleasing, as he or she is the sheepdog. When those predatory personalities, like the media or politicians, stalk the enclave, the sheepdog is alert and ready for action. A leader is not afraid of a fight. In fact, the leader does not fear the risks or the dangers of taking command and fully accepting personal accountability. For all the blather and bluster of self-promotion, a keen observer assesses the atmosphere surrounding the leadership pretensions. Self-absorption in egoistic arrogance reflects in the mirror of personal incompetence. However, humility travels unfamiliar paths, faithful to one's oath of office.  Leadership is about an inspiring presence that is missing in an era of leaderless pretension.