The Humble Leader

Sometimes the best leaders are the ones who don’t initially want leadership positions.

Years ago, a friend of mine was offered a management position. Someone had to step up and lead her and her peers, she was told. But when the offer came she told her boss, "I don't want to be a manager." His response set the course of her future. He said, "That is why it has to be you."?

Declining to lead is a fascinating event to observe. Who declines such an opportunity? Leadership often comes with a pay raise and notoriety.?

I was excited to learn how, over the course of history, many great leaders initially declined their leadership post. There are countless examples but let’s examine a few.

The most famous of all is Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus who, after winning the war and conquering Rome became Dictator; but after 16 days of being King he voluntarily gave up the throne, moved back to his small farm and lived a quiet life.?

You may also know about George Washington stepping down as President, despite being a shoe-in for re-election (thanks to the Broadway Hamilton play for the reminder).?

But while the play will tell you that Alexander Hamilton was Washington’s right-hand man, there was another man that impressed Washington too. Nathanael Greene.

Early in the war, Washington was so confident in Greene’s leadership capability that he offered him a huge promotion and appointed him to be Brigadier General. Greene felt he didn’t have enough experience to do the job well, so he declined the position.?

Despite declining the offer, Greene stayed active at a lower rank and worked hard to gain skills. Greene became one of the most important actors in the American Revolution. Later, in 1776, when the war was won, he was again commissioned as Brigadier General. This time, he accepted.?

Sometimes the best leaders are the ones who don’t initially want leadership. This isn't always the case and this certainly doesn't mean that someone who wants leadership will be a bad leader, but I greatly admire those who are well-suited for leadership positions but are profoundly humble. We can all learn from them.??