Purity

Snow can never emit a flame;
Water can never issue fire;
A thorn bush can never produce a fig.
Just so, your heart can never be free
from oppressive thoughts, words, and actions
until it has purified itself internally.
Be eager to walk this path.
Watch your heart always.
Constantly say the prayer
"Lord Jesus Christ, have  mercy on me."
Be humble.
Set your soul in quietness.

Hesychios

You can never expect to lead well until you really are well.  Perspective is important.  We are all given to error, greed, selfishness and tempted to untruth in our lives.  It seems that it is part of our humanity - our flesh.  When we realize that great goals of great followers - not in numbers but quality - can never be realized until we are of the same quality that we seek for them, we gain perspective.

Each of us is in need of mercy - forgiveness - even if silently in the dark for the things done in the dark.  It is in those words that plea for mercy that we find humility and depth.  Purity begets purity and purity protects the efforts that we lead.  Trust, honor and every good character of a follower is begotten by purity.