It’s natural to want credit for your work—to be acknowledged, seen, celebrated, and respected.
But what if that visibility puts the very cause you care about at risk?

Consider this

Bayard Rustin was a pivotal leader in the civil rights movement. He served as the chief organizer of the 1963 March on Washington—the historic demonstration where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. A brilliant strategist and visionary, Rustin’s leadership helped shape the movement’s nonviolent philosophy and organizational success.

Yet Rustin stayed out of the spotlight. Unlike King, Rosa Parks, John Lewis, or Malcolm X, he wasn’t a household name. As an openly gay man, he knew his visibility could become a liability—fodder for opponents and a distraction from the cause. So, he chose to lead from behind the curtain, sacrificing personal recognition to protect the movement he helped build.

Putting it into Play

Bayard Rustin had power—but he understood that real impact doesn’t require acknowledgment. He worked relentlessly behind the scenes, giving up the spotlight for the sake of the mission.

Power doesn’t need to be on display to make an impact. Sometimes it shows up in the background—in organizing, planning, persuading, and promoting others. You may have had a profound impact on someone’s life and not even know it. Or you find out well after the fact. Many forms of influence go unseen, yet they’re incredibly impactful nonetheless. Power does not have to be visible to be felt. 

Rustin’s story reminds us that power isn’t always visible, but it’s always consequential. True power serves a purpose beyond the self—and its greatest force lies in how we choose to leverage it. Where can your power make the greatest difference?