Acharya Prashant explains that the statement 'a real leader doesn't need followers' hinges on the definition of 'need'. He defines need as a feeling of incompletion, inadequacy, and dependency. When a relationship is based on need, it becomes a form of exploitation and base selfishness because the parties involved are like beggars seeking completion from one another. Such relationships are fragile and break down as soon as the needs are no longer met. In contrast, a healthy relationship is based on fullness and freedom, where individuals are complete in their aloneness and do not depend on others for their sense of self. He further argues that a leader who needs followers becomes a slave to their expectations. Much like people who post fake photos on social media to gain likes, a leader dependent on followers will utter words they want to hear rather than the truth. To be of genuine use to others, a leader must first attain inner completion. Using an example from the novel 'The Fountainhead', Acharya Prashant illustrates that true leadership happens naturally when one is dedicated to their life's mission. A real leader does not seek or beg for followers but remains open to those who wish to learn, allowing them the freedom to come and go without being dependent on their presence.
