The Leader or A Sheep - and the power inbetween

The Leader or The Sheep - there's powerful space between

BY MI ELFVERSON | FRSA

Mi is a brand photographer, visibility coach and our EyeStorm Women director. She regularly shares her thoughts on the state of affairs, books, films and ideas around women’s rights and gender equality.

The Leadership Myth We Need to Break

Leadership has been a hot topic in business for many years now – everyone wants a piece of the lush cake that reeks of pinstripes, hefty pay cheques and good espresso.

We’ve bought into this story that leadership means being at the top with ultimate power. Being The Leader means the one and only person everyone looks up to, that storms into the boardroom, makes a few demands and then flies off again for the next meeting. And no one else matters.

But we’re now starting to turn the coin and see that there’s a different side to it: not everyone can be that person. And – not everyone wants to be that person.

The most important part is, that this doesn’t have to leave the rest of us as deflated underdogs with no say or power.

This black-and-white thinking that leadership equals autocratic superpower needs to change – it’s not healthy and it doesn’t work. And it’s particularly damaging for women.

Although we’re still seeing barking top dogs biting each other to pieces, many of us are standing by, slowly withdrawing from the game.

We see through it, crossing our fingers that it’s all about to crumble and fall.

Beyond the Sheep Mentality

Being a sheep is easy – no thinking required, no decisions to make, no responsibility to shoulder. Just follow who’s got the strongest voice.

But of course there’s a massive, powerful space between being The Leader and being A Sheep. Most of us actually live in that space – and that’s where real and positive change can happen.

Even if you’re not the person at the very top, or you’re not even working in that kind of environment – you may not answer to anyone – you still need to lead proactively. And you still need to take action.

If we want positive change in our lives, our families, our communities – in our entire society – each of us needs to lead the movement of our own life.

This means getting crystal clear on what you want your life to be like. What kind of world you want to live in. What kind of future you want.

And then – you need to take action.

Leading Your Own Path Forward

When I say everyone needs to lead their own future, I’m not suggesting you run for parliament or stage a revolution (though if that’s your calling, please get on with it, quickly).

I’m talking about stepping into your power as the architect of your own life. Deciding what you want your future to look like and realising that it’s a collaboration. It’s a co-creation and it takes all of us together to make things better. Then you can start taking small, consistent steps to get there.

If you’re lucky enough to have this choice, but ignore it – you lose the right to complain about anything.

Change Doesn't Require a Megaphone

Leading your own life doesn’t mean you have to single-handedly change the world by Thursday.

It doesn’t mean chaining yourself to the fence outside Parliament or shouting at the top of your voice.

That approach doesn’t suit everyone – and it doesn’t have to.

We create real change through the people immediately around us. Through conversations that actually matter. In our family and among friends. By mentoring someone. By inviting others along. By making conscious choices about who we support, what we buy, where we spend our time. By saying no. And not letting people get away with things. By promoting, by lifting, by singing good people’s praises.

By choosing someone who might not normally be chosen – someone who doesn’t see themselves as “part of the circle” – this can create ripples of change. When we encourage that person to step forward, to live more fully, to find their voice, you are leading them to a better place.

The Power of Small Actions

These might look like little things, but they’re not. They’re how transformation actually works.

There are valuable options between The Leader and The Sheep. We don’t have to be The Leader, but A Leader of our own lives and creators of positive change in our own circles.

The question isn’t who you’re following. The question is: how can you lead your own way?

Your Monthly Commitment to Change

If you want more inspiration and be part of a group of women who are already stepping forward into their own power, why not try out our EyeStorm Impact Circle?

Every month, we ask you to make one small pledge – one action you’ll take to support women and girls. Maybe it’s having that awkward conversation with a colleague about pay. Maybe it’s mentoring a younger woman. Maybe it’s supporting a female-led business or amplifying someone’s voice on social media.

FREE TRIAL OF THE EYESTORM IMPACT CIRCLE: https://eyestorm.org.uk/membership

The action doesn’t have to be big, just effective.

When you join us, we’ll inspire you, support you, keep you informed, and yes – hold you accountable. But gently, encouragingly. You’ll find that being part of our group is genuinely uplifting. Most importantly, it helps you take those crucial steps to enrich and empower not just your own life, but the lives of women and girls around you.

Come join our next online meeting and let’s see how we can work together to lead the future!

FREE TRIAL OF THE EYESTORM IMPACT CIRCLE: https://eyestorm.org.uk/membership

Mi Elfverson is the Founder of EyeStorm Women, a community dedicated to empowering women to find their voice and take action for gender equality. Through workshops, events, and the Impact Circle membership, EyeStorm Women supports women to step into their power and create positive change in their communities.

If this blog resonates with you, read Nina Khoo’s reflection on how sensitive leadership can shape the world in powerful ways: “Leadership From Where You Are.”: https://eyestorm.org.uk/leadership-blog/