Leader Everyone Is and Everyone Has

Leader: Everyone Is and Everyone Has

Bynamishsaxena

Exploring the paradox of leadership and why everyone, in some capacity, both leads and follows.

In a world overflowing with leadership literature, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of advice on what makes a great leader. Rather than adding to the noise, I want to share something more personal — something you might see reflected in your own life. This article is the first part of a series that delves into the many facets of leadership. Through my experiences and reflections, we’ll explore what it truly means to lead and to be led.

Leadership is often seen as a title or a position, but in reality, it’s a role that each of us plays, whether we realise it or not. In this series, “Leader: Everyone Is and Everyone Has,” I’ll unpack the paradox of leadership, starting with the notion that every one of us is a leader in some capacity, and every one of us has a leader, too.

Everyone in this world is a leader and has a leader but not everyone needs to be a leader.

Leadership is a paradox

On one hand, everyone in this world is a leader in some capacity, and everyone has a leader. But on the other hand, not everyone needs to be a leader. This is a fundamental truth of human nature. We all need someone to look up to, someone to guide us, to tell us the “why” behind what we do. Yet, there’s also a leader within each of us, ready to guide others in our unique way.

Consider this: Why do we choose certain people to lead us? What makes us look up to them, follow them, and even place our trust in them? These are not trivial questions. They go to the heart of what leadership truly is — not just the act of leading, but the art of inspiring others to follow.

Now, imagine a world without leaders. Picture your company without a CEO or your country without a head of state. The first thing that likely comes to mind is chaos, or at the very least, confusion. This thought experiment reveals an important truth: leadership, in whatever form it takes, is essential. It provides direction, cohesion, and a sense of purpose that keeps organisations and societies functioning.

But here’s the twist: even in a world with leaders, not everyone is destined to lead in the traditional sense. Some are natural leaders, while others find fulfilment in following a vision set by someone else. This doesn’t make the followers any less important; in fact, it highlights the interconnectedness of leadership and followership. Just as a leader needs followers, followers need a leader.

This brings us to a crucial point: the type of leadership we often overlook is self-leadership. Before we can effectively lead others, we must learn to lead ourselves. This involves cultivating a clear personal vision, understanding our values, and taking responsibility for our actions. It’s about recognising that we, too, are leaders — in our homes, in our communities, and in our own lives.

Key Points/Takeaways

  • Leadership is a paradox: Everyone leads in some way, yet not everyone needs to hold a traditional leadership role.
  • The necessity of leadership: Leadership provides direction, purpose, and cohesion in both organisations and societies.
  • The overlooked leader within: Self-leadership is crucial — before we can lead others, we must learn to lead ourselves.

In the next part of this series, I’ll explore the concept of self-leadership more deeply. How do we lead ourselves before we lead others? What personal values and vision drive our actions? These are questions that will guide us as we continue to explore the many layers of leadership.

Onward

As we journey through the complexities of leadership, it’s important to remember that everyone plays a role in both leading and following. Leadership is not just about authority or titles; it’s about vision, inspiration, and the ability to guide others and oneself. If this article resonated with you, please clap, share your thoughts in the comments, and follow VisionShip for more insights on leadership and vision. Stay tuned for the next part of this series, where we’ll dive into the concept of self-leadership.

Series Continuation:

This article is part of a series exploring the different facets of leadership. Below are the shortcuts to other parts:

Each article in the series builds on the previous, so be sure to check back for new insights and reflections on what it truly means to lead.

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