“Many people say they want children, but they don’t want to raise them until they’re 18. The same thing happens with leadership.”

We’ve all heard someone say they want to have children. But, as British author and lecturer Simon Sinek points out, “Nobody says they want to grow for 18 years.” And in that very difference, he explains, lies one of the great lessons of leadership.

In one of his TikTok videos, Sinek compares being a father to being a leader. According to him, many people dream of managing a team or starting their own business, but few actually realize what it means in the long run.

“Everyone gets excited when you say, ‘I have my own business!'” But then comes the hard part. Now you have to lead the people. Processes can be learned, systems can be mastered, but the human part is ongoing and sometimes overwhelming,” the authors explain.

Sinek, known for his book Start with Why and his famous TED talk How Great Leaders Inspire Action, argues that true leadership is about service, not power. “To be a leader is to serve others. The best leaders, whether by choice or necessity, are students of leadership,” he added.

The author argues that leading others requires the same humility and willingness to learn that parenting does: listening, observing, making mistakes, and improving. “When you’re a parent, you talk to other parents, read books, watch speeches. The same thing happens in leadership.” comment.

For Sinek, the ultimate meaning of leadership goes far beyond personal or business success. He defines it with a phrase that encapsulates Sinek’s message, which reminds us that leadership is not a title or a goal, but an ongoing practice. Just like parenting, it requires patience, empathy, consistency, and a long-term commitment. His life philosophy is: “The real purpose is to have the opportunity to serve those who serve others. That’s what it means to lead with purpose.”

It’s not enough just to want to be a leader or have your own project. You must be willing to learn, adapt, and take care of the people walking next to you.

This approach to service and purpose has made Simon Sinek one of the most influential voices in the world of business and personal development. His Golden Circle model, based on starting with the “why” before the “how” or “what,” has inspired millions of people and organizations to rethink the way they communicate, motivate, and lead.

Sinek’s message reminds us that being a leader is not a title or a goal, but rather an ongoing practice. Just like parenting, it requires patience, empathy, consistency, and a long-term commitment.

It’s not enough just to want to be a leader or have your own project. You must be willing to learn, adapt, and take care of the people you walk with.