Hello. I’m kicking off a series on 10 Leadership Superpowers, which I’ll be posting in the following weeks/ months here on LinkedIn. But in this blog, let’s start with the basics: what does it really mean to lead? Is it just about bossing people around or perfecting your serious leader face? In this opening piece, I’ll explore my take on leadership and show how each of us already has an inner leader, waiting to shine. So, let’s dive in…
Leadership
It’s a term so heavily used these days that it’s practically sagging under the weight of its own importance. You’ve heard it in motivational speeches, job interviews, and yes, probably that one team-building event where a beach ball was thrown around to “break the ice.” It’s become so pervasive; it begs the question: what does leadership even mean anymore?
Let’s begin by clearing the air: you don’t need to have a title, a team, or a megaphone to be a leader. And while we’re at it, you don’t need to own a yacht, wear shoulder pads, or bark orders in a corner office either. Leadership isn’t about who’s in charge; it’s about who takes charge—of their own life, their choices, their impact. Leadership, at its core, is multidimensional. You can lead from the front, but you can also lead from the back, from the side, or even from the sofa in your pajamas (yes, strategic Zoom camera angles count).
Robinson Crusoe: The Lone Leader?
Imagine this: you’re stranded on an uninhabited island. It’s just you, a palm tree, and maybe a volleyball with a smiley face. Can you still be a leader? Was Robinson Crusoe a leader?
I say absolutely! Leadership isn’t reserved for group dynamics; it starts within. Being stranded, you’d lead by figuring out how to survive. You’d set goals (“fresh water or die”), prioritize resources, and let go of unhelpful behaviors (like weeping on a rock for days on end). Leadership is about navigating challenges with intention, even when the only follower is you.
Everybody’s Got an Inner Leader
Here’s the big twist: everyone is a leader. Yes, even your dog. Okay, maybe not your dog (although many dogs do portray leadership skills!) But seriously, each of us has an inner leader. It’s that part of you that steps up when things get tough. It’s the voice that nudges you to embrace change, take risks, or just try to be a little better than you were yesterday. Leadership is not a position; it’s a mindset—a way of being.
Beyond Leader-Follower: The Leader-Leader Model
David Marquet’s leader-leader model offers an intriguing perspective on this. Instead of the traditional leader-follower relationship—where one person makes decisions while everyone else executes them—Marquet advocates for a system where everyone leads. In this model, leadership is distributed, dynamic, and deeply human. It’s not about hierarchy; it’s about equality. When everyone takes responsibility for their own leadership, the result isn’t chaos, but synergy. Imagine a world where “everybody leads” wasn’t just a corporate slogan, but a way of life.
The Many Flavors of Leadership
We often associate leadership with bold, charismatic individuals—the ones who command attention when they enter a room (or a Zoom). But leadership comes in many flavors, and none of them are inherently better than the others. There’s the quiet, contemplative leader who listens more than they speak. There’s the visionary leader who dreams big but trusts others to execute. There’s the relational leader who thrives on building connections and fostering collaboration. And yes, there’s the reluctant leader—the one who steps up not because they want to, but because they need to. Each of these forms of leadership has value, and each of us embodies different styles depending on the moment.
Defining Leadership (Without the Buzzwords)
So, how would we define leadership? Let’s keep it simple: leadership is taking charge of your own life. It’s about setting intentions and aligning your actions with them. It’s about owning your impact—on yourself, on others, and on the world around you. Leading others is just one expression of leadership, but it’s not the whole story. You can lead with words or with silence, with action or with restraint. The key is authenticity: finding the way of leading that fits you best.
The Stranded Island Thought Experiment
Let’s revisit that uninhabited island. Picture yourself there, leading your solitary survival mission. Now imagine a shipwreck washes ashore, and you’ve suddenly got company. Would your leadership change? Probably—but not because leadership suddenly “begins.” It’s because leadership evolves. Maybe you take charge of building shelter, or maybe you’re the one who suggests a morning pilates ritual to keep spirits up. Leadership, like life, is fluid. It’s not a one-size-fits-all deal; it’s an ongoing adaptation to the needs of the moment.
Wrapping Up
In a world obsessed with leaders, let’s not forget that leadership isn’t a pedestal; it’s a practice. And practice you can! Like building muscles in the gym, you can also build your (mental) leadership muscles. Leadership is as much about leading yourself as it is about leading others. So, the next time someone asks if you consider yourself a leader, skip the imposter syndrome and remember: you are! You always have been. And the best part is, your leadership style is as unique as you are. Own it.
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