Why good leaders know when to step down | Sebastian Serban | TEDxUniversityofEssex

Sebastian Șerban is a data analyst and former ministerial advisor. While studying at Oxford and the London School of Economics, he served as the representative of Romanian students in the United Kingdom, with his term centering around the UK’s exit from the EU and its consequences for the community he represented. Having been part of numerous youth and student unions and institutes throughout his formative years, Sebastian has learned that be it in business, sports, politics or art, leaders have one thing in common: they rarely leave of their own accord. It was these experiences which taught him that the most important moment in a leader’s tenure is the moment they decide to step out of the way. In his talk, he emphasises why it’s important to see leadership positions as just one of the many goals that we can aim for in our career and personal lives. As one rethinks their journey beyond the climb toward more responsibility and recognition, their community will benefit from the continuity that the amicable transfer of power and knowledge counterintuitively provides. Be it in business, sports, politics, or art, leaders have one thing in common: they rarely leave of their own accord. Having been part of a broad range of organisations, from entrepreneurship to political communities, and having risen to the top of many of these structures, Sebastian learned all about it. It was these experiences which taught him that the most important moment in a leader’s tenure is the moment they decide to step out of the way. Sebastian is a data analyst, former consultant, and former ministerial advisor. While studying at Oxford and the London School of Economics, he served as the representative of Romanian students in the country, with his term centering around the UK’s exit from the EU and its consequences for the community he represented. If today one is more likely than ever to chase and idealise being seen, admired, and followed, then striving to be a leader in your group is your best bet. Yet while leadership satisfies some of our most fundamental inner needs, building one’s life plan around being at the top robs you of everything else out there. Sebastian will draw on his experience of leadership throughout his educational and career paths in government and the private sector to show that a leader’s most important task is to prepare others to take their place. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at