No person can be a great leader unless he takes genuine joy in the successes of those under him.

The remark frames leadership as fundamentally other-directed: greatness is measured not by personal acclaim but by an authentic, emotionally grounded investment in subordinates’ growth. “Genuine joy” implies more than strategic encouragement or performative praise; it suggests a leader whose ego is not threatened by others’ achievements and who experiences their advancement as a shared win. The quote also hints at a practical ethic of mentorship: leaders who celebrate others’ successes are more likely to cultivate trust, initiative, and loyalty, creating conditions where teams can excel without fear of being overshadowed or exploited. In this view, leadership is inseparable from generosity of spirit.