As a generation, we misunderstood leadership. We thought it meant power, position, or the loudest voice in the room. We inherited models from the past — rigid, top-down, authority-driven. And today, we see the results. Many of the people born around 1975, now in positions of power — especially in politics — are still clinging to outdated versions of leadership. They confuse control with vision. But something interesting is happening on the edges. Venture builders, startup founders, entrepreneurs — they’ve learned a hard truth: in fast-moving environments, real leadership isn’t about command, it’s about coherence. It’s a survival mechanism.

You don’t lead by title — you lead by clarity, empathy, and adaptability. These builders understand that leadership means building trust, aligning people, and making space for others to grow. Meanwhile, many institutions — especially in government and public life — still haven’t gotten that memo. They’re slow, reactive, and stuck. But the world is changing, and the definition of leadership is changing with it. Those who adapt will build the future. Those who don’t will be left behind.


Source by Heyi Gregory, PhD