SUMMARY
Leadership isn’t about being the center of attention—it’s about creating opportunities for others to shine. This article explores why the often-overlooked superpower of “invisibility” may be one of the most impactful leadership traits, empowering others to step up, receive the credit, and reach their full potential.
The Superpower You Forgot You Had
Superman had super strength, super speed, and super vision (and he could freaking FLY).
Batman possessed physical perfection and intellect.
Wonder Woman carried the golden lasso.
The Green Lantern sported his magic ring.
And just like the superheroes of our youth, as leaders, we all have superpowers too.
Some of us can speak powerful words.
Some of us are get-it-doners (big shout-out to you with the yellow notepads and your “to-do” lists!).
Heck, some of us are eternal optimists in that we can always find the silver lining in every challenging circumstance that comes our way (that’s an AWESOME superpower ).
But one superpower that we all possess as leaders is one that we rarely use.
And that’s a crying shame, because invisibility may be the greatest leadership superpower of them all.
Invisibility.
The Power of Being Invisible
Think about it.
As leaders, the superpower of invisibility affords us the ability to move about freely without ever being detected.
Mind-blowing, isn’t it?
And the possibilities and potential are staggering.
...the greatest leaders are the ones who get their people to do great things.
Quick aside here.
We understand that leveraging our powers of invisibility allows us to work our life-changing magic wherever we go.
Sure, there are those who might see possessing this kind of stealth as an opportunity to wreak havoc (e.g., slipping into bank vaults unnoticed, spying, etc.). However, we as leaders of LIGHT know better.
In fact, here are four ways we, as leaders of LIGHT, can put our superpower of invisibility to work for its highest and best use.
Invisibility Advantage #1: When we make ourselves invisible, others can step up.
And it’s 100% true—great leaders get things done through others.
There is an old adage that goes: “Great leaders don’t create more followers. Great leaders create more leaders.”
If we are always “large and in charge,” there is very little room for others to step up.
And isn’t it interesting that, these days, there seems to be an endless number of leaders who incessantly complain about everyone else’s lack of initiative?
Well, becoming invisible pretty much solves that problem.
Obviously, this doesn’t mean that we take our hands completely off the wheel. Rather, we use our invisible presence in a way that ensures we are not always the first to speak or the first to act.
Small steps. Huge impact.
Invisibility Advantage #2: When we make ourselves invisible, others get the credit.
Newsflash: The greatest leaders are not the ones who do the greatest things.
Rather, the greatest leaders are the ones who get their people to do the greatest things.
And the fastest route to that destination is recognizing and acknowledging the contributions of others.
In fact, when leaders invoke their superpower of invisibility to ensure that others get credit, some pretty remarkable things happen:
- Motivation increases.
- Morale and engagement skyrocket.
- Trust builds.
- Creativity surges.
- Loyalty flows.
...invest in the things that really matter—and that means developing and growing people.
The bottom line is this: Don’t be the story, shape the story.
Invisibility Advantage #3: When we make ourselves invisible, we experience the joy of seeing others succeed.
Here’s an interesting longitudinal research discovery.
For decades, some of the best researchers in the world have been interviewing leaders at the beginning of their careers and at the end of their careers.
Interestingly, leaders just starting out believe that the greatest things about leadership will be:
- The opportunity to put their talents and abilities to the test.
- The salary.
- The notoriety.
- The travel.
- The accolades.
Decades later, when their time was coming to an end, leader after leader reported that the greatest joy they experienced was, hands down, investing in the success of others and helping them to advance their careers.
Said differently, one of the greatest joys of true, authentic leadership is (and always will be) seeing others succeed—especially if it’s more than the person thought they were capable of.
Knowing this, we need to make it a point to invest in the things that really matter—and that means developing and growing people.
“Invest in things that really matter-and that means developing and growing people.”
Invest in things that really matter-and that means developing and growing people.
If this is where we spend our time as leaders, we can know with absolute certainty (supported by decades of research!) that all our blood, sweat, and tears will have been well worth it.
Can I get an amen?
Invisibility Advantage #4: When we make ourselves invisible, we will do our greatest work.
Perhaps Lao Tzu said it best (yep, we’re going full ancient wisdom here):
“A leader is best known when people barely know they exist. When the work is done, and the aim is fulfilled, everyone will say, ‘Look at what we have accomplished.”
...less of us means more of others. And when it comes to real leadership, invisibility is what it’s all about.
In the end, your legacy will not be what you leave for your people, it will be what you leave in your people.
Leading with LIGHT
Maybe that knock-kneed, glasses-wearing, Hogwarts-attending little rapscallion had it right all along (yes, I’m talking about Harry Potter).
With his boyishly good looks and his cloak of invisibility, Harry and his colleagues defeated dastardly foes, won seemingly unwinnable battles, and lifted others to extraordinary heights.
What’s more, they also sold 600+ million books in the process.
And although I jest, there is a very real takeaway in all of this: Less of us means more of others.
And when it comes to real leadership, invisibility is what it’s all about.
This week, put your superpower of invisibility to its highest and best use.
If you do, you will take your leadership to the next level.
Until next time, see LIGHT, be LIGHT, and spread LIGHT.
