Simon Sinek, author of Start with Why, and Leaders Eat Last spoke at the TED conference in March 2014. His presentation was on Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe. I am a fan of Simon Sinek not only because he is a phenomenal speaker, but because he speaks to the heart of leadership. As a management theorist, he thrusts into the core of management, and magnifies the intimacy that resides within.

In this presentation, Simon suggests that a true leader has a unique quality of sacrifice, that can’t be found in everyone.

“We call them leaders because they go first. We call them leaders because they take the risk before anybody else does. We call them leaders because they will choose to sacrifice so that their people may be safe and protected and so their people may gain.”
– Simon Sinek

These are very powerful words. Simon also indicates that when a leader shows these qualities, then their followers will do anything for them, including sacrificing themselves because they know their leader would do it for them. You can’t buy that kind of devotion because it comes through a sacrificial leadership, and not to many managers want to take that risk.

Take a look at this video, and provide your comments and your thoughts on leaders below. Are you a leader that makes your team feel safe? Are you on a team with a leader showcases these qualities?

Photo credit: Ted Conference via Flickr