Leadership seems easy when you have budget, titles, and career paths in your hands – instruments to direct, reward, or retain employees. But what if all of that is missing? When people don’t have to but only want to – and could drop out at any time?
That is the daily reality of association presidents, parent councils, project leaders in NGOs, or militia politicians in Switzerland. They all lead without contracts, without salaries, without sanctions. And that is precisely why it is worth taking a closer look at this world: because it reveals what good leadership is really about.
Volunteer leadership in numbers – a look at Switzerland:
- 86% of the population aged 15 and over are engaged in voluntary work – informally or formally.
- 41% take on tasks in associations, organizations, or federations.
- 590 million hours of voluntary work annually – with a value of around 30 billion francs.
Why leading volunteers is so demanding
- No formal authority – only personal effectiveness. Volunteers don’t follow you because they have to, but because they trust you to make something happen.
- Motivation is voluntary – and fragile. If people don’t feel seen, heard, or valued, they leave. And rarely come back.
- Commitment does not come through contracts. Responsibility arises from conviction, not from regulations. Communication is everything.
- Different motives collide. Some want to shape, others want community – leadership here means translating, listening, balancing.
Leadership behavior that works – even without power
- Provide meaning instead of just distributing tasks
- Build trust instead of exercising control
- Give feedback instead of issuing directives
- Build relationships instead of emphasizing position
- Provide orientation instead of seeking to please
Personal experience: Leading without power begins with attitude
More than 25 years ago, I took over the presidency of a Bernese tennis club – with a National League A team, high reputation, and great prestige. Only: financially, the club was on the brink of collapse.
Together with the board, we struggled to find a solution with the bank, tried to keep members engaged while at the same time rejuvenating and expanding the club. It was pure leadership – without instruments of power, but with responsibility.
More than a beer and a slice of pizza during meetings was hardly possible back then. And yet I learned one thing, without consciously naming it that way at the time: appreciation was the most important leadership tool.
Because those who work voluntarily don’t need incentives – they need meaning.
Conclusion: Those who lead volunteers lead with substance
Leadership without power is the ultimate leadership test. If you can move people without pressure and without salary, you have understood the essence of good leadership.
This applies just as much to associations as to companies. Ultimately, leadership strength is not shown by whether people obey you, but by whether they follow you even though they don’t have to.
Think further and act effectively
If you yourself lead on a voluntary basis – or increasingly notice in your job that classical instruments of power no longer work – it is worth reflecting on your own leadership behavior:
- How do you create connection?
- How do you build trust?
- How do you provide orientation – without coercion?
In my coaching, this is exactly what we work on: leadership that holds, even when external structures are missing. You can also find more about this in my book “The Hero’s Journey of a Leader.” Let’s talk – non-binding, but concrete.
A personal note
I was reminded of this topic thanks to a valuable impulse from Nicoletta della Valle 🎗️ – her input brought back memories of my own time as a club president and made the topic come alive again.
I deeply value such inspirations. If you also have an idea, question, or topic that concerns you in your leadership role: I look forward to input for future newsletter editions – and to the exchange.
Just write to me directly or via freudiger.coach – I’ll be happy to take up your suggestion.