"How Can I Help" to "How Can You Help Me": Leadership Lens

While watching "Ram Dass Going Home" on NetFlix, I was struck by a profound observation made by the spiritual icon. Before his stroke, Ram Dass had already written and published a book titled "How Can I Help." However, after his stroke, he realized that if he were to write the same book today, the title would be "How Can You Help Me."

This reflection resonated deeply with me as a leader. As leaders, we often assume our role is to help and direct our teams. This mindset can sometimes stem from a place of ego, where we believe we are the key drivers of success. But the reality is often different—it's our teams who are instrumental in helping us succeed. Their creativity, hard work, and commitment are what truly fuel our leadership. Without them, we wouldn't achieve the goals we set for ourselves in any organization.

A great example of this can be seen in successful startups. While founders often receive the limelight, it’s the team working behind the scenes—the engineers, marketers, and support staff—that make the vision a reality. Think of companies like Airbnb or Slack, where the leaders actively sought input and help from their teams to navigate tough challenges and turn their ideas into global successes. They understood that asking “How can you help me?” wasn’t a sign of weakness, but of strength.

It’s not just about guiding others; it’s about being guided by them too. Imagine the possibilities when we shift our mindset from “How can I help you?” to “How can you help me?”

Leaders succeed not because of their individual brilliance, but because of the collective efforts and insights of their teams. By empowering and trusting our team members, we create a culture of innovation, growth, and mutual support.

#leadership #Team #philosophy