Great Leaders Don’t Lead—They Empower

Simon Sinek is one of the most inspiring speakers I follow, a true source of motivation for all of us. He shares many thought-provoking insights in his YouTube videos, which I highly recommend exploring. One of his talks, which you can find here: link, discusses the transformation leaders must undergo, from being experts themselves to becoming enablers of those who are experts. This is a crucial shift, yet one that is often overlooked or misunderstood in today’s workplaces.

Too often, we see highly skilled individuals promoted to leadership positions, only for them to struggle with letting go of their previous roles. The skills that made them exceptional experts are not necessarily the same skills that will make them great leaders. Leadership requires a different mindset, one that resembles the journey of becoming a parent, it demands patience, courage, and a willingness to support others rather than doing the work for them.

As leaders, our role is to guide and empower our teams, not to take over their responsibilities. We must act as mentors, creating an environment where people can thrive and reach their full potential. At the same time, success is not solely dependent on leadership, individuals must also take initiative and demonstrate commitment. No external factor can replace personal drive and determination. That’s why success is always a two-way street, a mutual process where both leaders and individuals contribute to growth and achievement.

This reminds me of my father and the invaluable lessons, sometimes tough ones, he taught me. Whenever I faced challenges as a child, his words were always the same: "There is nothing you can’t do; there are only things you don’t want to do."?

At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the depth of his message. But as I grew older, I realized that his words weren’t just about personal effort, they were about responsibility, mindset, and the power of self-belief. Success isn’t handed to us, and no leader, mentor, or external factor can replace our own drive. But when personal determination meets the right support, there are no limits to what we can achieve.

True leadership is about creating that support, empowering others to believe in themselves, to push through obstacles, and to realize that the only real limits are the ones we accept. Because in the end, success is always a two-way street.