When leadership is absent

There’s a particular kind of silence that fills the room when leadership is absent—not the quiet calm of focus, but the hollow pause of hesitation.  Tasks stall, conflicts simmer, and accountability vanishes into a fog of evasion.  In these moments, it’s tempting to wait for someone—anyone—with a title to step in and fix things.  But sometimes they don’t, or won’t, or are so disconnected from their role, they aren’t even aware that they should.

So what do you do when those who are supposed to lead abandon their post?

Lead without permission anyway

When we’re faced with that kind of situation––which, for some of us, may be something of a regular occurrence––Stoicism offers a radical answer: lead anyway.  Lead quietly. Lead with integrity.  Lead without permission.

“How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself? - Epictetus, Discourses, 2.16

At its core, Stoicism is not about enduring life passively.  It’s about exercising reason, practicing virtue, and aligning our actions with values regardless of what’s happening around us.  This inward strength becomes a form of leadership—not loud, not necessarily visible, but deeply influential and powerfully meaningful.

Leadership begins with  self-governance

In contrast to modern notions of leadership that hinge on power and authority, Stoicism teaches us that leadership begins with self-governance.  When surrounded by poor leadership—whether in a dysfunctional workplace, a chaotic community, or a fraught institution—the Stoic leader doesn’t sink into cynicism or bitterness.  They respond with discipline, clarity, and ethical action.

The Stoic leader separates what is in their control from what is not.  They model steadiness when others unravel.  Stoic leaders choose to uphold fairness, even when no one is watching––and, they choose principled action over people-pleasing or its even more dangerous opposites: workplace sabotage, viciousness, or revenge.

The Stoic leader’s mindset is particularly powerful in environments plagued by micromanagement, emotional immaturity, ego, or apathy.  When authority fails, the Stoic leader doesn’t get swept up in the drama.  They act from their values, showing others—without fanfare—what it means to be reliable, respectful, and responsive.

Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one. - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 10.16

Leadership is not just formal authority

But it’s not just the ones with formal authority who have the opportunity to demonstrate Stoic leadership in the workplace.  Consider the colleague who quietly maintains professionalism while others gossip.  The team member who takes initiative on a project no one wants to touch—not for credit, but for the sake of the work.  Or the person who listens without defensiveness when criticized, offering a measured response instead of a reactive one and seeing feedback as a gift.

These are small acts, often unnoticed.  But over time, they build trust.  They anchor workplace teams. They have the power to change organizational culture.  Stoic leadership doesn’t need a platform or a spotlight.  It simply requires consistently making a virtuous choice.

Perhaps most importantly, Stoicism does not advocate for martyrdom or over-functioning.  It’s not about doing others’ jobs or enabling bad leadership.  It’s about knowing what is yours to carry—and letting the rest fall.  In a way, Stoicism helps you lead not just by doing, but by discerning what not to do: not retaliating, not spiraling, not becoming what you despise.

“It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it. Life is long enough… if it were all well invested.” - Seneca, On the Shortness of Life, Chapter 1

In dysfunctional systems, waiting for better leadership can become a form of self-abandonment.  Stoic practice reminds us: this is your life.  You do not need a title to make it meaningful.  You do not need permission to lead by example.

Start being a leader now

In a world where many are still waiting for someone else to do the hard work of leading, Stoicism invites you to start now.  Choose your response.  Hold your ground.  Act with integrity.  You may not change the whole system—but you will change the atmosphere.  And in that subtle shift, leadership is reborn—not from authority, but from virtue.  

For anyone who’s ever longed for stronger leadership, better support, or more effective guidance, finding tools that help us navigate those spaces with a sense of harmony is essential. Because real leadership isn’t always about speaking loudly.  Sometimes, it’s about being the calm in the storm—clear-eyed, self-led, and unshaken.

Andi Sciacca serves as Chief Academic Officer and as Director of Accreditation & Assessment for the European Graduate School. She also holds a government position with the City of Milwaukee as the Environmental Sustainability Program Coordinator for the FEED MKE Program.

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