Nothing …proves a man’s ability to lead others, as what he does from day to day to lead himself. (Thomas J. Watson, 20th century American businessman)
Some people long to be leaders in some arena—sports, politics, education, business, perhaps. Sometimes the ambitious person will pursue education and special training to equip himself to lead others in some worthy endeavor. But, no matter how well he does in his training, the real proof of his ability is how well he controls and directs his own life.
Now the [leader] is to be above reproach . . . temperate, self-controlled, respectable (1 Timothy 3:2).