Leadership does not depend on being right.

The words of Ivan Illich, “Leadership does not depend on being right,” strike with the force of paradox, yet carry the fragrance of eternal truth. For many believe that the leader is he who always holds the correct answer, who speaks without error, who charts the flawless path. But Illich tears away this illusion and reveals the heart of leadership: it is not infallibility, but the courage to guide, the willingness to bear responsibility, and the power to inspire others to walk a road together, even when certainty is clouded. To lead is not to be a god among mortals, but a mortal who dares to step forward despite his imperfections.

The ancients knew this well. Alexander the Great, though a conqueror of empires, was not always right in his decisions. He led his men through deserts where they nearly perished of thirst, and his temper sometimes blinded him. Yet his armies followed him, not because he was always correct, but because he carried within him the blazing fire of conviction. He erred as all men err, but his leadership was not diminished, for it rested not on perfection but on faith, vision, and the courage to share the fate of his followers.

Consider also Abraham Lincoln, whose presidency was marked by uncertainty and opposition. In his time, many declared his decisions misguided, his policies flawed. He faced failure after failure in battle and politics alike. Yet his leadership endured, not because he was always right, but because he bore the burden of decision, listened deeply, and never abandoned the cause of union and freedom. History vindicated his course, but in the moment, what sustained his leadership was not correctness but the trust he inspired, the steadiness of his heart, and his willingness to grow through mistakes.

Illich’s words cut to the essence: if leadership depended on being right, none could lead, for no human escapes error. Leaders are made not by correctness but by their response to their own fallibility. Do they admit mistakes? Do they learn swiftly? Do they carry the responsibility for failure as well as for victory? The true leader is not the one who never falls, but the one who rises each time and brings others with him. It is in the valley of error that the authenticity of leadership is proven.

The danger lies in confusing leadership with mere technical correctness. The scholar may be right in knowledge, yet unable to lead men. The critic may be right in judgment, yet unable to inspire action. Leadership requires something beyond being correct: it requires vision, empathy, courage, and the ability to bind people into a shared endeavor. To be right and alone is no triumph; to lead others imperfectly but faithfully is to shape history.

Let us, therefore, embrace the lesson Illich offers. Do not wait until you are perfect before you dare to lead. Do not hide your talents until certainty is yours. Step forward even amid doubt, acknowledging your flaws, but offering your strength, your vision, your heart. If you are wrong, admit it swiftly, correct your path, and move on with humility. Your followers will not abandon you for mistakes; they will abandon you only if you lack honesty, courage, or care.

The practical action for us is this: cultivate humility alongside courage. Practice saying, “I do not know, but we will find the way together.” Accept responsibility for both error and triumph. Listen deeply to those you lead, for wisdom often rises from the many. Above all, remember that leadership is service, not perfection. When you act with integrity and compassion, others will follow—not because you are always right, but because you are truly leading.

Therefore, O listener, engrave this truth upon your heart: “Leadership does not depend on being right.” It depends on daring, on honesty, on shared humanity. Perfection belongs to the gods, but leadership belongs to mortals who choose to stand, to guide, and to bear the weight of others. Lead, then—not as one flawless, but as one faithful. And in your faithfulness, you will be remembered.