The best leaders are those the people hardly know exist

A good leader is indeed ‘nowhere to be found’.

He’s invisible!

Most leaders we know are visible. Among them are laudable leader who is adored and respected by his people, and chieftain who asserts his authority by making people aware that he is the BOSS. Sadly, they also include the bully who points a knife at your back forcing you to empty your wallet.

These leaders get you to do things they want you to do. But if you’re talking about effectiveness of leadership, theirs is in nowhere near the influence of the ‘invisible’ leaders.

The ‘invisible’ leaders lead without ‘leading’ in the conventional sense.

Like what Lao Tzu says, “They act without effort and teach without words.”

They inspire and guide, so that people do what he wants them to do without feeling being led.

We have heard of highly accomplished people talking about how someone however insignificant had led them to their success. The person can be a mother with little education who lavishes her children with wisdom and love, or a stern master who pokes his student’s bloated ego so that he can see clearly his true value in his pursuits. The person drives successes without appearing to be a leader, although he is the real leader.

The real leaders can also be someone as simple as your friend who makes you travel all the way to a remote place to try out an interesting restaurant, or take part in a program to shed your weight without telling you to do so.

Having said that, there is no doubt that a true leader can be someone in leadership position, who is both visible and invisible, depending on the situations.

So who are these leaders in your life?

There are many of them around. Since they are invisible, they are in no fixed form. In fact, this is the beauty of it. They are there for you to discover and be enthralled.

Once you have spotted any one of them, take note of how they have led you. Apply the secrets to the people you lead, and you will see the invisible leader emerging in you.

 

“The best leaders are those the people hardly know exist.
The next best is a leader who is loved and praised.
Next comes the one who is feared.
The worst one is the leader that is despised.

If you don’t trust the people,
they will become untrustworthy.

The best leaders value their words, and use them sparingly.
When she has accomplished her task,
the people say, “Amazing:
we did it, all by ourselves!” 

Lao Tzu Tao Te Ching Chapter 17