This quote speaks to the essence of leadership. It emphasizes that a leader’s success is not determined by their personal achievements or progress, but by the growth and development of the people they lead. In other words, a leader cannot truly succeed or “get ahead” unless those they are leading are fully supportive, committed, and progressing themselves.

The phrase “until your people are behind you” means that a leader needs the backing, support, and trust of their team to truly be effective. In this context, being ‘behind’ doesn’t mean lagging in progress, but rather standing behind in support. This is a crucial aspect of leadership because a leader without followers is simply a person taking a walk.

In today’s world, this quote is highly relevant. In businesses, for instance, CEOs and managers can’t solely focus on profit margins and forget about the welfare and development of their employees. They need to ensure their team is motivated, skilled, and supportive of the company’s vision. Only then can a leader truly be successful.

In terms of personal development, this quote suggests that if you aspire to be a leader, your focus should not only be on your own progress or success. Instead, you should invest time and effort in helping others grow and succeed. This could be by mentoring, coaching, or simply offering support and encouragement. By doing so, you gain the respect and trust of others, which in turn, enhances your leadership capabilities.

Moreover, a leader’s legacy is often determined not by their own accomplishments, but by the impact they had on others. So, in order to “get ahead” as a leader, one must ensure they are leaving a positive and lasting impact on their followers.