Authentic Leadership: Inspiring Others, Not Commanding Them

Authentic Leadership: Inspiring Others, Not Commanding Them

In today’s world, leadership is often mistaken for popularity, authority, or the number of people who follow you on social media or politics. Yet, as organisational psychologist Adam Grant wisely notes, "Leadership isn't measured by how many followers you have. It's gauged by how many lives you improve." This simple but profound idea challenges conventional leadership views and calls for a deeper, value-based understanding of what it means to lead.

Impact Over Influence

Traditional views often equate leadership with influence—how many people listen to you, follow you, or obey your directives. However, authentic leadership is not about control or domination but positive impact. A real leader uplifts others, helps them grow, and creates opportunities for shared success. In this view, leadership is not about collecting followers but cultivating human potential.

The essence of leadership lies in serving others, not serving oneself. As Grant points out, selfish leaders tend to divide people to push forward their personal agendas. They create factions, exploit differences, and prioritise loyalty over merit. These are not leaders in the truest sense—they are rulers, managers, or opportunists. In contrast, servant leaders work to bring people together, foster collaboration, and steer groups toward common goals.

The Servant Leader

The servant leader is not concerned with personal power but with empowering others. They lead not from above but from within. This model of leadership is rooted in humility, empathy, and vision. It’s the teacher who invests in a struggling student, the manager who supports team members through challenges, or the community leader who puts collective well-being ahead of personal recognition.

Such leaders unite people by focusing on shared values and inclusive goals. They recognise that progress is not achieved through domination, but through cooperation and mutual respect. They ask, "How can I help you thrive?" rather than, "What can you do for me?"

Bringing Out the Best in Others

Grant concludes that "leaders bring out the best in others." This is perhaps the most critical measure of effective leadership. It is easy to command; it is much harder to inspire. Great leaders recognise the strengths in others, even before they see them in themselves. They mentor, coach, and challenge their followers to become leaders in their own right.

History and experience teach us that societies, organisations, and families thrive when leaders seek to develop others. Whether in politics, business, education, or activism, those who uplift others create legacies that endure beyond titles and followers.

Conclusion

In a time when leadership is often mistaken for fame or authority, Adam Grant’s insight is a powerful reminder: leadership is not about the crowd behind you, but the lives you touch and transform. The world needs fewer power-hungry rulers and more servant leaders who unite, inspire, and improve the human condition. The true mark of a leader is not in their title, but in the people they empower and the lasting good they leave behind.