From the editor

摘要

Leaders historically are clearly recognisable from afar - dominating and towering above their fellows, even if of diminutive (Bonopartean) dimensions. In medicine, leaders of that stature are rare and those examples that one is tempted to cite are more likely to be memorable for pioneering achievements and innovating in the face or apathy or disbelief - vaccination, chloroform and antisepsis, for example - rather than for leadership in the sense of bringing teams together around them and providing direction, motivation and vision. On the other hand, in the context of everyday medicine - whether it be hospital, a multi-partnership general practice or a postgraduate deanery - the latter type of leadership is both widely in evidence in some cases and in other instances sadly lacking.