Leading from Behind
By Bryn Meredith
A few weeks ago I began to read Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom,” (probably years overdue on my part as it has been in print since 94!) and I was intrigued to see that he recognized and adopted the concept of leading from behind at a very early age. While still learning from the elders in his village he notes, “As a leader, I have always followed the principles I first saw demonstrated by the regent at the Great Place. I have always endeavoured to listen to what each and every person in a discussion had to say before venturing my own opinion. I always remember the regent’s axiom: A leader, he said, is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they were being directed from behind.” Read on…
