History tells countless tales of great people who started off as one thing until time, opportunity, and luck entered their reality.

Ulysses S. Grant sold leather on the side of the road in Galena, Ohio before becoming Commander of Union Army and President of the United States.

Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner worked at a grocery store before signing with the St. Louis Rams where he won a Super Bowl.

Angela Merkel was a scientist before becoming one of the most powerful politician in the world.

The names listed above teach us that leadership does not occur in a vacuum. We build ourselves as best we can in preparation for a moment, a call to action.

You receive a promotion.

A job opens up.

You are called to lead a new project.

An outbreak of war.

A wall falls down.

Will you seize that moment or let uncertainty cloud your judgment?