“Solitude and Leadership” arguably has a narrow topic and audience: leadership advice for military officers in training. However, it quickly went viral online. What aspects give it universality? What aspects detract from a potentially broad appeal?

In his discussion of friendship as a form of solitude, William Deresiewicz focuses on only one aspect of friendship: having a safe space to think aloud. Based on his arguments, what other roles might friends have in developing leadership qualities?

Looking at the four forms of solitude that Deresiewicz endorses, what role do you think physical isolation plays in the development of independent thinking? What implications does your answer have for the cadets in his audience?