In a world where leadership is often equated with showcasing personal strength and charisma, we can sometimes forget one fundamental truth: true inspiration comes not from showing people how great you are, but from helping them discover how great they can be.
Leading other to Growth, in turn helps you grow.
John Maxwell, an expert in leadership shares, In The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Maxwell uses the Law of the Lid to help you understand how leadership impacts every aspect of your daily life. The Law of the Lid states that “leadership ability is the lid that determines a person’s level of effectiveness. The lower an individual’s ability to lead, the lower the lid on his potential.”
When we think of a leader, we often imagine someone with superhuman qualities—unshakeable confidence, brilliance, or extraordinary abilities. But while these attributes can command admiration, they don’t necessarily inspire the kind of personal growth that transforms others. Instead, the real magic of leadership lies in shifting the focus away from our own strengths and onto unlocking the untapped potential in others.
How to Help People Discover Their Own Superpowers
- Listen Deeply and Recognize Potential One of the most powerful things you can do for someone is to see them. I don’t just mean acknowledging their presence, but really understanding who they are, what their strengths are, and where their potential lies. By listening deeply to their challenges, interests, and dreams, you help them uncover hidden talents they may not even know they possess.
- Ask Questions that Lead to Insight Rather than providing all the answers, ask questions that challenge people to think for themselves. This encourages problem-solving, critical thinking, and personal ownership of decisions. When people come to their own conclusions and insights, it strengthens their confidence and sense of ability.
- Create Opportunities for Growth Give people the space and freedom to stretch beyond their comfort zones. By providing challenging tasks, encouraging learning, and offering constructive feedback, you help them expand their capabilities and discover their superpowers in action.
- Empower Through Encouragement, Not Perfection People are often inspired by leaders who are authentic, even vulnerable. When you share your own journey—not just the successes, but the struggles as well—you humanize yourself and create a sense of trust. However, the focus should still be on showing others that they have the power to overcome their challenges, rather than highlighting how you’ve done so.
- Recognize and Celebrate Their Wins Acknowledge when people make progress, no matter how small. When people feel recognized and appreciated, they are more likely to continue pushing themselves toward their full potential. Your encouragement can be the catalyst for their growth.
Inspiration is About Empowerment
The most effective leaders and mentors don’t try to prove their greatness—they use their influence to help others see the greatness within themselves. By doing so, they create a ripple effect, as those inspired individuals go on to empower others in turn.
So the next time you’re in a position to inspire or lead, remember: you don’t need to showcase your superpowers. Instead, ask yourself, “How can I help this person uncover their own?” Because the real mark of a great leader is not how high you can rise, but how many others you can lift along the way.
Your Friend
Danijel Slisko
