In two separate conversations with teachers of mine, I was talking about how I believe that in order to live an enhanced life, people need to take on a leadership role at some point in their lives.

Separately, they both said, “I’m not a leader, I just support people who want to grow.”

I laughed, because both these people are teachers of mine. It’s in their title—they are teachers, they are leaders.

I said, “Leading from behind totally counts.”

I later learned this is called Servant Leadership—a term coined by Robert Greenleaf. It’s the idea that real leaders serve first. They uplift, support, and create the conditions for others to thrive.

So why is it that I believe everyone should take on a leadership role?

Sue Ashford, professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, was asked that question and said:

“[Leadership] puts you into a proactive stance with respect to the world around you. And then by extension in your own life.”

She went on to describe how this gives people a sense of agency, and how leadership helps “people go through life much more happily than if they see themselves as passively waiting.”

Taking on a leadership role, including servant leadership, gives you agency and makes you happier than passively waiting.

Servant leadership is also important because it’s attainable by introverts, including my two teachers. I chose them to teach me martial arts and self-defense because both of them are principles-based, not ego-driven; they see who you are and help you become more of it; and they lead without needing the spotlight.

We often don’t recognize ourselves as leaders. But if you’ve ever helped someone become more of who they are, you’ve already led.

Who have you inspired to dream more, learn more, do more and become more?

~*~

This is one of my Big Ideas posts—where I explore how new ideas, good science, creativity, and bold leadership can help us build a better world.

I believe ADHD leaders have the empathy and creativity to solve the world’s biggest problems, and I want to support as many of them as possible as they step into leadership.

Sources:

https://hbr.org/podcast/2017/08/why-everyone-should-see-themselves-as-a-leader

https://www.greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/