The Akan proverb Nea ɔpɛ sɛ ɔbɛdi hene (“the one who wants to be king”) comes from the corpus of Adinkra symbols, and speaks to the very foundations of good leadership: a skillful leader must first be a servant.

Leadership is not an entitlement but a responsibility, born of experience, humility, and service to others. In this proverb, the true path to high office begins not with prestige but with apprenticeship; serving one’s community, understanding its needs, and learning to respond to them with fairness and empathy. In this way, leadership becomes less about command and more about shared responsibility and solidarity.

Whether in politics, academia, business, or community life, those who aspire to lead must recognize that power without experience breeds arrogance and estrangement. Leaders who bypass the path of service often resort to dictating rather than listening, thereby alienating the very people they are meant to guide. By contrast, leaders who have “gone through the mill” of service lead not as overlords, but as custodians of collective well-being.

Equally important is the message for those still in the position of serving: today’s servants are tomorrow’s leaders. Hard work, respect for leadership, and dedication to community lay the groundwork for future responsibility. This reciprocal relationship between service and leadership ensures continuity, stability, and resilience in the life of a community.

The best leaders are those whose authority is shaped by service, whose wisdom is refined by experience, and whose humility prevents power from becoming an intoxicant.