Why the World Needs More Non-Assertive Leaders

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As professionals focus more and more attention on how to hone leadership traits to get ahead, the common image conjured is that of an assertive individual, a go-getter. This go-getter certainly can have a compassionate and empathetic core and reach back to pull others along with them. But they chomp at the bit for what they want and go to every length to make their vision happen.

This is one version of leadership. It is not, however, the only version. And it is not, perhaps, the most memorable or effective.

For every assertive leader, there arguably are dozens of non-assertive ones. These leaders, like their counterparts, are quick to step up when they know it is necessary. They have enormous integrity.

But non-assertive leaders are different in several ways. Firstly, they do not need to micromanage and might not be good at seeing how to coordinate many pieces. But they are the ones who bring a meal to a neighbor, give you the phone number of a potential mentor, or raise their hand first to commit to a project. They simply do one service at a time, whatever doing happens to be.

But perhaps most striking is the non-assertive leader’s ability to hold fast to central values. They might not speak of strategy, but…