The word ‘leadership’ is thrown around so often that it sometimes feels like it is losing its meaning.
We see it everywhere: in job titles, on LinkedIn profiles, in performance reviews. But what does it really mean to be a leader? Has the term become so overused that it stands for everything and nothing all at once?
When leadership is used so broadly, we risk losing sight of the real outcomes it should represent. Leadership should not just be a label.
Leadership doesn’t exist in a vacuum
You can’t just decide you’re a leader because you’ve got a title. The reality is that leadership is not something you can claim for yourself. It’s a status that others grant you.
A leader doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s a relational status. So, what’s the core of leadership, then? Here’s my definition: a leader is someone who moves people.
Moving people
In some cases, this might mean moving people in a very literal sense. Think of military generals from history who led their troops across vast distances or religious leaders guiding their followers on a pilgrimage. People physically moved from one place to another.
But, in most cases, leadership is about metaphorical movement. It’s about creating a shift in understanding, behaviour, practice, knowledge, or outcomes. A leader changes something. They move their team, their organisation, their industry, or even humanity as a whole. The movement might be subtle – a change in mindset or a reframe of a problem. Or it could be seismic, like a new invention that changes how we live and work.
Leadership exists in different forms
Not all leaders move people in the same way. There are different types of leaders, and each brings their own unique approach to the challenge of moving people.
Some leaders move people through influence, engagement, and inspiration. Think of someone like Richard Branson. He’s built companies, but more importantly, he’s built a culture around his way of thinking. His vision, energy, and charisma have moved people to think differently about business and life.
Other leaders move people by advancing their field of expertise through technical or scientific prowess. Albert Einstein didn’t inspire a team in a meeting room, but he shifted the way the entire world understands physics. Through his work, he moved the boundaries of human knowledge, and as a result, he moved humanity itself.
Then, there are leaders who move people through acts of courage. Take Barry Marshall, the scientist who drank a beaker of bacteria to prove that ulcers were caused by infections, not stress. His actions challenged the medical establishment and led to a breakthrough in treatment. He literally put himself on the line to push forward our understanding of health.
The world needs all of these types of leaders. They move people in different ways, but the common thread is that they create change.
Leadership and impact
At Impact Society, we believe that leadership is about outcomes. Leadership isn’t about having a title or a fancy office. It’s not about charisma, though that helps. It’s the ability to bring about real-world results. It’s about changing the way people think, work, or act – about leading them to better outcomes. It’s about impact.
How can we help you?
If you’re an aspiring or established leader, we’d love to support your development.
Here are three ways:
- Connect with us on LinkedIn – we post practical advice on management and leadership every day
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- Join High Society – this is our exclusive membership-based community for modern leaders from around the world who are creating impactful and meaningful change in their organisations
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