90 Years with No Leaders or Anyone Else in Charge and Still Going Strong – Step 2

Lady Justice wielding sword and scales w/ sfz title

“If your act-
ions inspire oth-
ers to dream more,
learn more, do more
and become more,
you are a lea-
der.”

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What does being a leader in your spiritual practice mean to you?

OR

What does it mean to be a leader if no one is in charge?

Be a Leader – Inspirational Video w/ Steve Harvey (5:08)

Pres. Adams Brief Bio (4:16)

2 Minute Intuition, Peace, Leadership Meditation (2:01)

Today’s SFZ reflects on the unique, decentralized leadership structure of 12-Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) and Overeaters Anonymous (O.A.), where no single person is in charge. Instead, these fellowships thrive through shared purpose and spiritual guidance, rather than hierarchical control. As noted in The Big Book of A.A., newcomers often wonder who leads the group. The answer: no one person does. This radical idea sets these groups apart from most organizations.

Overeaters Anonymous expands on this in their literature, explaining that their structure prevents anyone from having authority over others. Instead, members look to a Higher Power—however they define it—for guidance. This echoes Tradition Two of A.A., which states that “our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.” Bill W., A.A.’s co-founder, believed leadership should emerge from service and humility, not control.

Leadership, in this model, means influence without authority. John Quincy Adams’ quote aligns perfectly with this: true leaders inspire, rather than command. They help others grow, act, and transform—not through power, but through example and encouragement.

Brené Brown, a modern voice on leadership, reinforces this idea. She argues that vulnerability and showing up authentically are marks of courage and leadership. In 12-Step fellowships, members lead by sharing honestly and supporting one another.

This model of self-governance works because of mutual respect, shared responsibility, and spiritual connection. It continues to sustain millions in recovery.

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Comments

8 responses to “90 Years with No Leaders or Anyone Else in Charge and Still Going Strong – Step 2”

  1. Eli🌱 Avatar
    Eli🌱

    Sometimes I doubt that AA really has no leaders. The folks who can and do show up for committee meetings on the local/state/national levels invariably are the people who make decisions. ‘Group consciousness’ is not always possible as such, and when it is, majority rules isn’t always enough. But there are more than two solutions to a given problem, and this is not congress. Ha?

  2. Elexi W.S.A. Avatar

    There have been those who greatly inspire me with their stories of courageous rigorous control, and strides towards recovery. I know it’s possible, and I try to give others those hopes. When I’m at S.H.A.R.E. self help and recovery exchange for instance the leader in me decorates, helps out at meetings, and keeps a abstinent mind set.

  3. E-dawg Avatar
    E-dawg

    If you are a person who just naturally and not forcefully inspires others that’s leadership quality. I’m inspired by my higher Powers actions daily and the little things that he does throughout the day keep me in check and remind me that there are still good people out there in a world of turmoil

  4. Sabrina J Avatar
    Sabrina J

    Everything starts internally and radiates externally. Leadership is no exception. When my behavior, for me, is valid, healthy and admerable, it radiates a leadership quality that others wish to achieve. Life tends to mirror success or those that lead in a way that others are working to achieve. There are many cliches about this that tring true, Lead from the front, actions speak louder than words, put your oxegyn mask on first. Only when by our healthy actions, that others wish to mirror, do we become leaders.

  5. Carle Avatar

    What is the etimlogy of the word courage?
    It comes from the Latin root [kor] like Corazon and relates to the meaning of a person ho shares their own truth wholeheatedly.
    All I know is that I dpnt know it all, yet I understand that the most liberating process towards becoming the leader I want to be has everything t do with living an honest life and loving the life you live, treating it as sacred.

  6. Slim Jim Avatar
    Slim Jim

    today I prayed for grace a nd I feel that despite all the trumoil everything seems to have turned out okay and I have nothing to regret.I resisted the urge to pray for things to turn the way that I wanted which allowed me to be more aware and be more present.

  7. JB jr. Avatar
    JB jr.

    I’ve been sharing gratitude with my HP and also praying for those in my life that suffer misfortune. Sometimes I do pray for my HP to help me be clear and loving if I have important interactions with people coming up. I suspect the results still pop-up from time to time tho.

  8. Margot E. Avatar
    Margot E.

    LMAO! Thomas Edison said it in a nutshell – I get results all day every day and I get upset when the results I get are not the ones I want. I think I will remember this quotation to remind myself when I try to bargain and negotiate with my Higher Power. Every moment in time is perfect. I have to do some legwork to make my life an approximation of what I think I need; and in the end, I ain’t driving this car. It will arrive when and where the perfect time and place may be.

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