Leadership

A friend recently mentioned that leadership is not a position that one takes, or is awarded. Leadership is the state of being where others intrinsically look towards you for leadership. The ones that get things done even without authority. The ones that people think of when they are in need of mental or emotional support. Who are the leaders in your life? How would you define leadership? I realize I'm trying to mount the horse of leadership when I have no idea how to ride it. The older I get the more inexperienced I feel!