---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Leadership is found in the action to…"
description: "\"Leadership is found in the action to defeat that which would defeat you… You are made by the struggles you choose.\" — C. T. Vivian"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c52/c-t-vivian-225324_action_leadership-is-found-in-the-action-to-def_3217696.png"
---

#  Leadership is found in the action to defeat that which…

![“Leadership is found in the action to defeat that which would defeat you… You are made by the struggles you choose.” quote by C. T. Vivian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c52/c-t-vivian-225324_action_leadership-is-found-in-the-action-to-def_3217696.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c52/c-t-vivian-225324_action_leadership-is-found-in-the-action-to-def_3217696.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c52/c-t-vivian-225324_action_leadership-is-found-in-the-action-to-def_3217696.png)

> “Leadership is found in the action to defeat that which would defeat you… You are made by the struggles you choose.”

C. T. Vivian

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Leadership emerges from confronting challenges and choosing struggles that shape us.

**In simple terms:** Leadership is forged by the battles we choose to face.

Key Takeaway

Embrace challenges to become a leader.

Themes

leadership choice struggle growth resilience

Mood

motivational reflective

When to use this quote

- career advancement
- personal growth
- team building

Key Concepts

courage self‑determination

Questions to Reflect On

- What struggles have defined your leadership?
- How do you decide which battles to fight?

A Different Perspective

overcoming obstacles can be costly and exhausting.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Defeat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeat/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle/) [You choose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you-choose/)

## Related quotes

> [“Bear it in mind that people who do not take actions are not and cannot be leaders. Leadership is action.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/bear-it-in-mind-that-people-who-do-not-take-actions-are-not-and/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [Leadership is action, not position](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/leadership-is-action-not-position/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [To me, leadership is always by action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/to-me-leadership-is-always-by-action/)

[Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/)

> [Leadership is an action, not a position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/leadership-is-an-action-not-a-position/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Divorce becomes a holy moment when you choose to use it as a catalyst for having an extraordinary life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-ford/divorce-becomes-a-holy-moment-when-you-choose-to-use-it-as-a-catalyst/)

[Debbie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-ford/)

> [Sometimes I think I'm a nihilist because it doesn't matter, none of this matters. We're all following the will of some unknowable higher power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ottessa-moshfegh/sometimes-i-think-i-m-a-nihilist-because-it-doesn-t-matter-none-of/)

[Ottessa Moshfegh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ottessa-moshfegh/)

> [When you choose a show you really don't know where it's going to go. Sometimes things let you down and sometimes things just surprise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-vogel/when-you-choose-a-show-you-really-don-t-know-where-it-s-going-to-go/)

[Mike Vogel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-vogel/)

> [Sometimes you choose the wrong actor, he could be the best actor ever, but hes not cast in the right part then it doesnt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-marceau/sometimes-you-choose-the-wrong-actor-he-could-be-the-best-actor-ever/)

[Sophie Marceau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-marceau/)

> [When you choose to write using yourself as the source of the story, you are choosing to confront all the silences in which your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-baldwin/when-you-choose-to-write-using-yourself-as-the-source-of-the-story/)

[Christina Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-baldwin/)

> [The only reason you are happy is because you choose to be happy. Happiness is a choice, and so is suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-angel-ruiz/the-only-reason-you-are-happy-is-because-you-choose-to-be-happy/)

[Miguel Angel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-angel-ruiz/)

> [There are only 2 responses to the world, fear or love. Your life depends on which one you choose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/there-are-only-2-responses-to-the-world-fear-or-love-your-life/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [You are free to think thoughts of worry or joy, and whatever you choose will attract the same kind back to you. Worry attracts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/you-are-free-to-think-thoughts-of-worry-or-joy-and-whatever-you/)

[Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/)

> [Whether you face reality head on and make a life change, or deny your responsibility, you've made a choice. The way I see it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-phillips/whether-you-face-reality-head-on-and-make-a-life-change-or-deny-your/)

[Shawn Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-phillips/)

> [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

## More Action quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/)

[Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/)

> [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Leadership is found in the action to defeat that which would defeat you… You are made by the struggles you choose.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "C. T. Vivian"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-t-vivian/leadership-is-found-in-the-action-to-defeat-that-which-would-defeat/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-t-vivian/leadership-is-found-in-the-action-to-defeat-that-which-would-defeat/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c52/c-t-vivian-225324_action_leadership-is-found-in-the-action-to-def_3217696.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c52/c-t-vivian-225324_action_leadership-is-found-in-the-action-to-def_3217696.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c52/c-t-vivian-225324_action_leadership-is-found-in-the-action-to-def_3217696.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Leadership is found in the action to defeat that which would defeat you… You are made by the struggles you…” — C. T. Vivian",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "C. T. Vivian",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-t-vivian/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Leadership is found in the action...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-t-vivian/leadership-is-found-in-the-action-to-defeat-that-which-would-defeat/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-t-vivian/leadership-is-found-in-the-action-to-defeat-that-which-would-defeat/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
