A basic tenet of leadership is that leadership does not, cannot exist in a vacuum. Without people to lead, to support, to implement and more, there is no leadership. Everything we do as leaders, everything we are able to achieve is because we work with those who enable us to create the reality we collectively envision.

There are lots of ways in which we can lead, reflecting our personality and our mindset, reflecting our attitude towards others and our own philosophy. And I know that you, as have I, have worked for and with leaders who see people as tools and a commodity. These individuals devalue others because they only see themselves as having value. I say this without judgement, per se, but as an observation.

My own view of leadership is a more inclusive one and I try to live out that viewpoint in the work that I do. As leaders, we are called upon to make decisions, to determine direction, to make the tough calls and to take responsibility. Sometimes that is a lonely place to be and almost always it is a stressful place to be. It comes with the territory.

But we cannot ever lose sight of the fact that our leadership is built on the support and participation of so many. Making a decision, determining a direction is empty and meaningless if it cannot be converted to reality. And in organizations of almost any size and complexity, we cannot make things truly happen on our own.

This week my own organization hosted a celebration in my honor for something I had achieved. It was lovely—and unnecessary—but truly touched me. What I was reminded of as I spoke to, and hugged, so many of our staff, is that it is I who should thank them. As a leader, my success is only because of all of them, my ability to achieve is because of the people who make it happen.

Yes, as leaders we often feel that all the weight is upon us but we need to continually remind ourselves of the many shoulders that help to carry that weight and the many strong shoulders that enable us to build and grow and create.