Too often we think of a leader as being the person out front, but many effectively lead from behind. What I mean by that is not what first comes to mind. We might think of the battle field and think of leading from behind as the person standing in the background sending others out to do the dangerous work. That sometimes happens, but that is not what I mean by leading from behind.
Leading from behind is leadership that does not depend on titles or accolades. Some of the most effective leaders are those who don’t need to be known or recognized. They are simply there in the background making suggestions when needed, encouraging those in the limelight, and keeping organizations focused on their purpose through influence rather than authority.
Those leading from behind are individuals the leaders out front trust. They are the ones who care more about the success of the organization than about their own success. They are the ones that understand that ultimately leaders are called to serve, not be served. A number of variations on the following quote have appeared over the years, but Father Strickland, a Jesuit Priest from the 1800s, seems to be the originator, “A man may do an immense deal of good, if he does not care who gets the credit for it.” Those leading from behind understand the power of that statement and live it out wherever they find themselves.