Leadership is possible in all different ways, and in all

Steve Nash, master of the court and weaver of teamwork, spoke with humility when he declared: “Leadership is possible in all different ways, and in all different areas of life. Whether it is with friends or family, I expect them to set a great example for me, and hopefully I will do the same for them. And that is all part of being a leader.” In these words, we hear not the cry of a king commanding subjects, but the wisdom of one who sees leadership as a shared flame, passed from hand to hand, burning brighter in the spirit of community. For Nash teaches us that leadership is not bound to titles, nor chained to thrones, nor confined to great arenas—it lives in the humble acts of daily life, in the family, in friendship, in the silent strength of example.

The ancients knew this truth well. They told of Cincinnatus, the Roman farmer called from his plow to save his people. He did not seek glory; he did not hunger for power. He led, then stepped back into the quiet of his field once peace was restored. His greatness was not in ruling but in serving. Nash’s words echo this same spirit: that leadership is not domination, but the setting of an example that others may follow, a light that guides not by force but by presence.

On the basketball court, Nash was not the tallest, nor the fastest, nor the most powerful. Yet he became one of the most celebrated leaders of his generation. How? Not by overwhelming others, but by lifting them. He passed when others might have shot; he celebrated his teammates’ victories more than his own; he showed that to lead was to create opportunities for others to shine. In this, his life becomes the living embodiment of his words: leadership in all different ways, in all different areas of life.

Consider also the tale of Moses guiding his people through the wilderness. He was not flawless, nor always certain. Yet he carried the burden of responsibility, sometimes drawing strength from his people, sometimes giving strength to them. Leadership, as Nash describes, is mutual—it is as much about learning from those around you as it is about guiding them. To expect example from others, and to strive to be an example in return, is to understand that leadership is not a solitary crown, but a shared covenant.

From this we learn a profound lesson: that every soul has within it the power to lead. Do not wait for titles, or positions, or recognition. In your home, in your friendships, in your work, you can be a leader by showing kindness when others are cruel, patience when others are rash, courage when others are afraid. In the same breath, you must open your heart to be led by the examples of those around you, for leadership is a circle, not a ladder.

Practical actions flow from this teaching. Ask yourself daily: What example am I setting? In your words, in your choices, in your actions, let others see a path worth following. At the same time, look to the examples of family and friends—learn humility, perseverance, love, and resilience from them. Share leadership as one shares bread, giving and receiving, nourishing all. In doing so, you create a community where every person is both teacher and student, both guide and follower.

Thus, children of the future, remember Nash’s wisdom: leadership is everywhere. It is not locked in palaces, nor reserved for heroes alone—it breathes in the bonds of friendship, in the roots of family, in the examples we give and receive each day. Be not afraid to lead by small acts, for even the smallest star lights the night. And be not ashamed to be led by others, for in following worthy examples, you grow strong enough to set your own. This is the eternal rhythm of leadership: a dance of giving and receiving, a flame kept alive by many hands.