I was chatting with a new friend recently about this incredible community of families I travel with.
Imagine a group trip… with no drama, no fuss, no weird group text politics. Just good humans, great kids, and a shocking lack of side-eyes and over-organizers. It’s like a unicorn of group dynamics.
As I was gushing about how beautifully it all flows, she asked me,
“So who’s the leader of the pack?”
It made me pause. Because, truthfully, there are a few people who naturally seem to lead. But they’re not what you’d picture when you think of a typical “leader.”
One couple, in particular, stood out.
They don’t lead to impose an agenda.
They don’t organize things so they get to do what they want.
They don’t strong-arm the group into their favorite restaurants or subtly steer us toward their version of the best experience.
They lead for the group.
They listen, they observe, and they rally the crew toward what will be most fun, most meaningful, most inclusive. Sometimes, they’ll gently propose a plan—“Hey, what if we all met up here around 4?”—but it never feels pushy. It feels generous. Like someone just cleared a path through the woods so the rest of us could walk a little easier.
And here’s the thing:
You follow people like that without hesitation.
Why?
Because you trust their intention.
You know they’re not in it for control or credit.
You know they’re not trying to impress or dominate or low-key manage the vibe.
You know that if they’re guiding you somewhere, it’s somewhere good—for you, not just for them.
That kind of leadership?
It’s rare. It’s powerful. And it’s magnetic.
Because when someone leads from a place of service, not ego—when they genuinely care about what’s best for everyone in the group—you feel safe with them. You feel seen. You feel valued.
You know that if you follow, you’re not losing autonomy—you’re gaining alignment.
And this isn’t just about vacation vibes.
This is about the boardroom.
The team Zoom call.
The dinner table.
The community meeting.
The best leaders aren’t the ones who shout the loudest.
They’re the ones who’ve earned your trust.
They’re the ones you want to follow because:
- They elevate the group, not themselves.
- They don’t direct people toward what they want; they direct people toward what the people want.
- They listen more than they speak, and when they do speak, it reflects what everyone’s been hoping someone would say.
So here’s your leadership check-in for the week:
👉 When you speak up, organize, or steer—whose best interest are you truly serving?
Because intention is everything.
And when people feel your intention is pure—that you’re not in it for control, but for connection—well, then you don’t have to work so hard to lead.
They’ll just follow.
Because the best leaders?
They don’t chase power.
They build trust.
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