Power is not Leadership

By Raelene Bergen, MAL

Power is not leadership. Let that sink in.

Those who think it is, who cling to the illusion that authority equates to real influence, are not emotionally aware enough to actually lead. This is the uncomfortable truth, but we have seen enough of 'leaders' who believe that barking orders and sitting atop a hierarchical pyramid are markers of their success. This is not leadership; it's a power trip— misguided ego that sows division instead of unity, instills fear instead of inspiration, and propels personal agendas over communal wellbeing.

Emotional awareness is the core of genuine leadership—a quality glaringly absent in those who equate power with leading. The ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions, and the capacity to empathize with others, is the foundation upon which ethical leadership is built. Yet, these fundamentals are often dismissed as unnecessary or, worse, as weaknesses by individuals intoxicated by their own authority.

This lack of emotional intelligence among some in positions of power is not just a failure; it's a betrayal. It betrays the trust placed in them by those they are meant to serve, and it undermines the very fabric of collective progress and cohesion. True leadership demands a self-awareness and an other-centeredness that transcends the mere accumulation of power. It requires a commitment to something greater than oneself, a dedication that is all too rare among those who are blinded by their perceived status.

Let's be brutally honest: the landscape of our so-called leaders is often littered with those who mistake silence for agreement, compliance for loyalty, and fear for respect.

They operate under the delusion that leadership is about being in control, rather than about serving, guiding, and inspiring. This is not only a failure of leadership; it is a failure of character.

The consequences of this misunderstanding are not abstract—they are real, palpable, and deeply damaging. The cost of leadership devoid of emotional awareness is measured in lost potential, fractured relationships, and tired people searching for authentic guidance.

It’s time to remind ourselves what true leadership really is. Leadership that is rooted in empathy, bolstered by a commitment to justice, and guided by an unwavering moral compass.

Leadership that seeks to elevate others, to listen more than it speaks, and to encourage unity and understanding over division and discord. This is the leadership we desperately need, yet it remains suffocated under the weight of those who have confused power with purpose.

It’s time for emotionally aware leaders—those who genuinely understand that power is not leadership—is more urgent now than ever. We need leaders who are prepared to do the hard, unglamorous work of building bridges, who are willing to stand in vulnerability as they navigate the complexities of human emotions, and who are committed to a vision that rises above mere personal gain.

Power is not leadership. Until this truth is universally acknowledged and embodied, we will continue to be led astray by those who are not fit to lead. Are we ready for a renaissance of leadership, a movement that redefines what it means to lead in every sector of society? If so, it’s time to unite, and progress towards a future crafted not in the image of power, but in the essence of true, emotionally aware leadership.