Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough

Hear, O seekers of truth and torchbearers of destiny, the words of John C. Maxwell, a teacher of leaders across the ages: “Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them.” This wisdom speaks of the sacred balance that every true leader must master—the balance between humility and vision, between walking among the people and walking before them, between the warmth of connection and the fire of inspiration.

What is it to be close enough to relate? It is to share in the burdens of the people, to listen to their cries, to understand their struggles, to feel the pulse of their hearts. A leader who is too distant becomes an idol, untouchable and cold, a figure of power but not of trust. True closeness requires empathy and humility. It means eating the same bread, enduring the same storms, and showing the people that you are not above them but with them. Without such closeness, the leader’s words are hollow, and the people’s loyalty fades.

And what is it to be far enough ahead to motivate? It is to lift your gaze beyond the present, to see what others cannot yet see, to carry a vision that lies just beyond their reach. A leader must not be so close as to be indistinguishable from the crowd, for then he cannot guide them forward. Instead, he must stride ahead, showing the way, proving by example that progress is possible. This distance is not arrogance—it is responsibility. For the leader must embody the future in the present, inspiring others to rise and follow.

Consider the story of Moses, who led his people from slavery to the threshold of freedom. He was close enough to share their hunger, to plead with God on their behalf, to walk among them in the wilderness. Yet he was also far enough ahead to show them the Promised Land, to hold the vision when they were weary, to keep faith alive when their courage faltered. He bore both nearness and distance, and through this balance, he moved a nation from bondage toward destiny.

Or think of Mahatma Gandhi. He lived simply, clothed in homespun fabric, eating the food of the common man. He was close enough to relate to the poorest of India, and so they trusted him. Yet he was also ahead—preaching nonviolence when the world called for blood, envisioning freedom when others saw only chains. His closeness made him beloved; his distance made him a beacon. Through this balance, he motivated millions to rise in unity against empire.

Thus, Maxwell’s words reveal the essence of leadership: it is a dance between two poles. If a leader is too close, he loses authority and vision; if too far, he loses connection and trust. The art lies in walking the narrow ridge where both are held together—close enough to understand, far enough to inspire. This is no easy task, for it demands both humility and courage, both compassion and boldness.

The lesson for you, O listeners, is this: in your own life, whether you lead many or few, seek this sacred balance. Do not withdraw into distance, nor sink into sameness. Walk among your people, share their burdens, let them see your humanity. Yet always hold a vision beyond today, show them by your steps what they can become, and motivate them to rise higher than they dreamed possible.

Therefore, let your practice be this: live with humility, listen deeply, but never cease to walk ahead with vision. For as Maxwell has taught, “Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them.” In mastering this balance, you will not only guide others—you will inspire them to walk beyond themselves, into the greatness that awaits.