Final answer:
The phrase emphasizes the importance of effective leadership for societal progress, indicating that without leadership, society remains stagnant, but with courageous and skillful leaders, positive change is possible.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better" means that during times when effective leadership is absent, societal development tends to halt or remain static.
However, when brave and adept leaders take charge, they create opportunities for positive change and advancement within society. This concept underscores the critical role that leadership plays in driving social progress and the transformative power of leaders who are willing to innovate and address the pressing issues of their time.
Historical and contemporary examples illustrate this point. Influential leaders like Theodore Roosevelt and FDR became significant figures due to their ability to confront challenges during pivotal times in history. The same can be observed in social movements, where change is often catalyzed by people in positions of relative power who leverage those positions to initiate reform, as was seen with the Arab Spring and other movements driven by middle-tier individuals.
Overall, the statement suggests that stationary periods in societal development are often linked to a void in leadership, and conversely, progress is sparked when leaders with vision and competence emerge and take action.