Be the Leader You Seek

Marty Johnson, the Founder of  Isles, Inc., a urban sustainable development organization that fosters self-reliance and healthy neighborhoods, presented at the Dyer Center on the topic of “Be the Leader You Seek.” Johnson is a former Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Dyer Center and during his tenure helped to develop our Social Innovation course and the DYER Fellowship.

A seasoned leader and educator in entrepreneurship, Johnson immediately engaged students in a vibrant debate. He encouraged the audience to dive deep into their own leadership biases and doubts, asking them to envision their future roles as both leaders and followers. The group tackled tough questions about the qualities of great leaders, debating when one should be selfish, selfless, or healthily self-interested. They also explored the complex nature of power: Is it good, bad, or something else—and how is it being wielded by leaders in today’s world?

Johnson shared his personal journey, recounting his early doubts as a skeptical young student founder wary of power and leadership. His story detailed the process of learning to find his authentic voice, which ultimately allowed him to grow into an effective organizer of people and resources..

“The question, ‘What makes a good leader?’ is more angrily debated than any time in my life,” said Johnson. “Research offers clues, but no recipe works everywhere.  The key is to find your own authentic voice and approach to leadership.  That leaves room for others around you to do the same, laying the groundwork for powerful, effective teams.”

This engaging presentation provided a powerful reminder that authentic leadership is not about following a single formula, but about genuine self-discovery and creating space for the potential of others.