1. From Status Symbol to Burden
In the past, leadership was the natural goal of every ambitious career.
Those who wanted to “make it” became managers - with a team, a budget, a title, and an office.
During my corporate years, there was a simple formula: Power = Budget × Headcount.
The more employees you had, the better. The bigger the budget, the greater the influence.
Sure, there were specialist career paths too, but they were often seen as second-tier — a track for those who hadn’t quite made it.
Leadership meant success.
Of course, in many organizations and industries that mindset still exists.
But I’m also seeing a shift: fewer young professionals want to become leaders.
Not because they lack ambition - but because they’re more thoughtful about what they truly want, and less willing to accept old truths without question.
2. Leadership Has Lost Its Appeal - and That’s Healthy
I see this not as a sign of laziness, but of maturity.
Leadership is no longer an obligatory career step - it’s a conscious choice, with light and shadow.
Because anyone who has led knows: it’s not just about common strategy, shared goals, and working together on inspiring visions.
It’s also about deeply human challenges: dissatisfaction, comparison, conflict, and sometimes painful separation talks.
In my 15 years in the corporate world, I’ve led many teams - at one point more than 30 people.
It was rewarding, but also draining. Much of the work revolved around human friction:
Who feels treated unfairly? Who wants a raise? Who gets the more interesting project?
Sometimes leadership felt less like inspiration and more like endurance.
3. Small Teams, Big Impact
Today, I lead a small team and I’m grateful for it.
I work with people I trust, who take ownership, and with whom leadership can be reduced to what truly matters:
Thinking, deciding, and creating together.
I lead less — and more effectively.
For me, leadership is no longer a career goal, but a tool for better collaboration, stronger results, and mutual growth.
4. A New Generation, New Priorities
In my consulting work, I see a clear shift: leadership is becoming an option, not an obligation.
Many young professionals now ask themselves:
Do I want to lead - or do I want to create differently?
Do I want responsibility for people - or for ideas?
Do I want to grow myself - or manage others?
These are important questions. Because those who pursue leadership for status alone will sooner or later fail at its reality.
5. My Recommandation
When was the last time you asked yourself whether you want to lead - or simply think you should?
What does leadership mean to you: influence or creation?
And how could you redefine it - with less ego, but greater impact?
Leadership is no longer a status. It’s a mindset.
And perhaps that’s the best thing that could have happened to it.
