We live in an era marked by individualism and the cult of self-image, where the constant presence of social networks shapes our ambitions and expectations. Each of us has become not only a professional in the physical environment, but also a public figure in the virtual world. The maintenance of a self-image – often idealized and comparative – drives the belief that, in order to be complete, we must also be leaders of our own professional path. In a society where status is associated with autonomy and influence, the pressure to become leaders, autonomous and “our own bosses” is increasingly evident.
Social media plays a powerful role in building these aspirations. In a scenario where seemingly perfect lives are constantly exposed, we end up reflecting on fictions that suggest a path to absolute success, unlimited achievements and a freedom that is often nothing more than an illusion. Lives that appear full and full of success on social media create expectations that are disconnected from reality. We aspire to an idealized version of freedom, where autonomy and personal leadership are seen as means to achieve a full life, independent of conventional constraints. However, this belief, often supported only by appearances, leads us to believe that any path that is not guided by leadership or independence is inferior or inadequate.
This growing expectation for autonomy and individual leadership is strongly reflected in today’s job market. In fact, what many people seek in their careers is not just a job, but a platform for expression and autonomy, where they can project this image of success. And, given this demand, modern professionals are expected to be leaders in their sector, capable of making autonomous decisions and impacting their surroundings with confidence and originality.
Autonomy is indeed an important and increasingly essential value. Having a leadership attitude in your own sector – that is, taking ownership of your responsibilities, seeking innovation and always seeking improvements – can be a positive factor. However, transforming this expectation into a silent obligation, fueled by the endless cycle of comparisons and validations on the networks, is a risk. We become prone to seeing leadership as an end in itself, rather than as a skill or quality to be developed with caution and purpose.
We cannot ignore the impact of these pressures on psychological balance and the relationship between work and personal life. The relentless pursuit of leadership as a reflection of absolute independence can actually result in frustration when the reality of work – with its demands, limitations and complexities – does not correspond to the ideal we project. True autonomy is not limited to being at the top of a hierarchy; it involves responsibility, self-awareness and the ability to deal with uncertainty and limitations.
We need to question this constant search for an ideal of leadership and success that is often far from the daily lives of most people. Genuine leadership is not just a title, but a continuous construction of skills, experiences and resilience. As a society, we need to adjust our expectations regarding the concept of autonomy, considering that true freedom comes, first and foremost, from self-knowledge and the ability to work collaboratively, without losing the essence of who we really are.
Ultimately, while social media will continue to create and recreate new versions of success and happiness, it is up to us, as professionals and leaders in our own lives, to establish a balanced relationship with these ideal models. Being a leader in one’s own industry is indeed a worthy and productive goal, as long as it does not lose connection with reality and personal values. Ultimately, leadership is not about what others expect of us, but about what we can authentically offer to our environment and to ourselves.
Dr. Fabiano de Abreu Agrela Rodrigues MRSB holds a post-PhD in Neuroscience and is an elected member of Sigma Xi – The Scientific Research Honor Society (more than 200 members of Sigma Xi have received the Nobel Prize), as well as being a member of the Society for Neuroscience in the United States, the Royal Society of Biology and The Royal Society of Medicine in the United Kingdom, the European Society of Human Genetics in Vienna, Austria, and the APA – American Philosophical Association in the United States. He holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in History and Biology. He is also a Technologist in Anthropology and Philosophy, with several national and international degrees in Neuroscience and Neuropsychology. Dr. Fabiano is a member of prestigious high IQ societies, including Mensa International, Intertel, ISPE High IQ Society, Triple Nine Society, ISI-Society, and HELLIQ Society High IQ. He is the author of more than 300 scientific studies and 30 books. He is currently a visiting professor at PUCRS in Brazil, UNIFRANZ in Bolivia and Santander in Mexico. He also serves as Director of CPAH – Centro de Pesquisa e Análises Heráclito and is the creator of the GIP project, which estimates IQ through the analysis of genetic intelligence. Dr. Fabiano is also a registered journalist, having his name included in the book of records for achieving four records, one of which is for being the greatest creator of characters in the history of the press.