Ancient saying by Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu, “To lead the people, walk behind them” challenges the conventional image of leadership. The idea that leaders follow their followers is as revolutionary today as it was over 2,000 years ago. Leadership, far from being about domination, becomes a practice of listening, empathy, and service.

The Core of Lao Tzu’s Leadership Philosophy

Lao Tzu, the author of the Tao Te Ching, believed in the power of subtle and selfless leadership. His view contrasts sharply with authoritarian leadership models, where power is concentrated at the top and leaders are expected to command. Lao Tzu’s approach is more aligned with what modern thinkers call “servant leadership“—a leadership model where the leader’s primary goal is to serve others.

“To lead the people, walk behind them” is a about humility and trust. It calls for leaders to relinquish control and instead trust the wisdom of the group. True leaders empower their followers, listen to their needs, and facilitate their success from the shadows. The result? A group that moves forward not because they are being pulled, but because they are internally motivated.

The Role of Followers in Leadership

The idea that leaders should follow their followers may seem counterintuitive. Traditional leadership often emphasizes directive control, where the leader knows best and directs the path forward. However, the most successful leaders today understand that listening to their team can provide invaluable insights.

The Power of Empathy in Leadership

One of the central tenets of following your followers is the cultivation of empathy. Empathy allows leaders to put themselves in the shoes of their team members, understanding their struggles, strengths, and aspirations. Without empathy, leaders can become detached, making decisions that may undermine the morale and motivation of their teams.

A leader’s role is to inspire and guide gently, not to dominate or control. They should understand the needs of their team and work silently in the background to create an environment where others can thrive.

When leaders follow their followers, they adopt a mindset of curiosity and openness. They are willing to adjust their plans based on the input they receive from their team. This fluidity in leadership is essential in today’s fast-changing work environment, where flexibility and adaptability are key to staying competitive.

Walking Behind Doesn’t Mean Abdicating Responsibility

To walk behind your followers does not mean abandoning leadership. On the contrary, it requires a deeper level of engagement. Leaders are still responsible for setting the vision, establishing the framework within which the team operates, and making critical decisions when necessary. However, they do so with a keen awareness of the input from their followers.

One modern example of this type of leadership can be seen in companies like Google and Amazon, where leadership often takes a backseat to the creativity and initiative of employees. At Google, employees are encouraged to spend a part of their time on personal projects, an approach that has led to groundbreaking innovations like Gmail. This freedom allows employees to lead from within the organization, while the leadership facilitates this environment without micromanaging.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, is known for promoting a culture where leaders listen intently to their teams and where decisions are made based on data-driven insights gathered from all levels of the company.

The Synergy of Mutual Growth

When a leader walks behind their followers, the relationship between leader and follower becomes synergistic. The leader provides the vision, and the followers contribute to shaping and refining that vision with their creativity, expertise, and commitment. In return, followers grow and become more empowered, often stepping into leadership roles themselves.

A key outcome of following your followers is mutual growth. The leader grows through continuous learning, by listening and adapting to the insights provided by their team. Meanwhile, the followers grow because they feel heard, valued, and empowered to contribute meaningfully to the organization’s success.

Simon Sinek, a contemporary leadership expert, emphasizes the importance of this relationship in his famous book Leaders Eat Last. He says, “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” A leader’s duty is to create an environment where their followers feel safe, supported, and valued. When followers feel this way, they are more likely to be creative, productive, and loyal.

The Future of Leadership: A Balance of Power

In a rapidly changing world, the hierarchical, top-down approach to leadership is losing relevance. Agile, flexible organizations that encourage distributed leadership and empower employees to take initiative are better equipped to handle change and uncertainty. Lao Tzu’s advice to “walk behind” suggests a form of leadership that shares power and encourages innovation at every level of the organization.

The best leaders today recognize that leadership is not about hoarding power, but about distributing it. They understand that by listening to their followers and walking alongside or behind them, they cultivate a culture of trust, innovation, and mutual respect. In this way, leadership is no longer seen as a one-way street but as a collaborative journey toward a shared goal.

Conclusion: Leadership as a Silent Force

Lao Tzu’s wisdom offers a timeless reflection on the nature of leadership: to lead effectively, one must be willing to step back, listen, and trust the collective intelligence of the team. This humble form of leadership doesn’t weaken a leader’s authority. Instead, it strengthens it, because true authority comes not from exerting control but from inspiring others to act out of their own volition.

As one ancient Hindu teaching reminds us, “A tree laden with fruits always bends low,” symbolizing that those who are truly great are humble. Lao Tzu’s leadership principle is about adopting this humility, about serving others, and about recognizing that leadership is not about the leader, but about the success of the people.

Leadership is not about leading the way, but about making way for others to lead.