Most people think leadership is about getting everyone on board.
Rally the team. Win them over. Move them forward.
But here’s the truth:
You can’t lead everyone.
And you don’t need to.
Leadership is change.
It’s saying: We’re going somewhere new.
That’s not a style or personality trait.
It’s a direction.
And direction comes with friction—because most people aren’t looking to move.
They didn’t sign up for reinvention.
They signed up for comfort. For structure. For stability.
So before you try to lead, ask:
Who wants to go with me?
That’s not weakness. It’s design.
The best leaders enroll.
They earn trust by being clear about where they’re headed—and why it matters.
If someone doesn’t want to follow, that’s not failure.
That’s a signal.
Good leadership isn’t about convincing the unwilling.
It’s about aligning with the ready.
Trying to lead people who don’t want to be led only burns you out.
And waters down the work.
Instead, focus on the people who want to grow.
Who are open to change.
Who want to see what’s possible—and are willing to walk toward it with you.
You don’t have to lead everyone.
Just the people who are ready to go.
So the question isn’t:
“Why won’t they follow me?”
It’s:
“Who’s already leaning in—and how can I help them move forward?”
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