Turning Points: Leadership Lessons from Unexpected Sources 

Leadership – and the desire to lead – can often come from unexpected places. The events we experience and the people we encounter can challenge our worldview or inspire us to make transformative changes in the world. Some people plan and expect to lead. Others are surprised to find themselves positioned to do so. 

In those latter cases, it’s often a turning point driven by an unlikely set of circumstances. The world is a far better place because of all the people who didn’t let challenges stop them. Instead, they rose above them, answered the call, and charted a new path forward. 

There are so many examples we can look to for inspiration. Today, please allow these three individuals to help you reflect on the unexpected circumstances that perhaps disrupted your life in a good way or reshaped the roadmap you were following: Malala Yousafzai, Reed Hastings, and Robert F. Smith. 

Malala: A Survivor 

Consider Malala Yousafzai, who went from a Pakistani schoolgirl to a global symbol of courage because of one terrifying moment. In October 2012, she was shot in the head for speaking out about the right for girls to receive an education. 

She recovered and could have stayed silent – no one would have blamed her. But Yousafzai chose courage and activism. She heeded the call, choosing to be a voice for girls who didn’t have one and to accept the opportunity to become a leader. Her bravery and impact were recognized with a Nobel Peace Prize in December 2014, making Yousafzai the youngest-ever Nobel laureate. 

Reed: An Innovator 

Do you know how the idea for Netflix was born? It was born out of the frustration that Reed Hastings experienced in 1997: a $40 late fee when he returned the rented copy of Apollo 13 to a video store. From that humbling and irritating experience, a cultural phenomenon began to take shape. A video rental service without late fees was downright revolutionary. 

As the co-founder and CEO of Netflix, Hastings was also the epitome of leadership through empowerment. He eschewed micro-management in favor of a decentralized decision-making strategy, trusting his team to innovate freely. It paid off! Netflix’s success story is rife with stories of creativity, agility, disruption, and industry domination. 

Robert: An Investor 

As the founder of Vista Equity Partners, Robert F. Smith has been a prominent businessman and philanthropist. Like Malala, he faced challenges in receiving the education he deserved. With two parents who had obtained doctorate degrees, Smith knew the importance of schooling.

When an arson attack decimated almost all of the buses meant to transport Black students to a desegregated school, he chose to attend anyway. Smith has affirmed that the resources afforded to him by that elementary school in a white neighborhood pushed him to expand his worldview. It also initiated his drive to uplift marginalized communities through education and entrepreneurship. 

While delivering the commencement speech at the Morehouse College graduation in 2019, Smith made a shocking announcement: he pledged to eliminate student loans for every member of the graduating class. His request of the beneficiaries was simple: pay it forward to future generations. 

Your Turning Point 

What about you? Have you experienced a watershed moment that was as unanticipated as it was inspiring? 

Think about childhood memories from which a passion arose, a chance encounter that changed your thinking, or a surprising mentor who set you on a new path. These kinds of pivotal moments are turning points that shape the kind of leader you are. 

When was the last time you drew inspiration from somewhere new – perhaps a book or movie, a random conversation, or an event you witnessed? Consider how these moments may have given you a different perspective or seeded a project or a goal. Small yet pivotal moments have launched businesses, inspired books and films, and created new life goals. 

And if you’re ever feeling a bit stuck, try reflecting on some of these revelatory moments or seek out new ones by exploring hobbies, taking classes, or expanding your network. You never know when your next catalyst for growth will enter your life, so stay open to all the possibilities!