What did Martin Luther King mean by the "drum major instinct"? How can this instinct have a negative impact in leadership? How can it have a...

Martin Luther King, Jr's last sermon was on what he called "The Drum Major Instinct."  He began by retelling the Biblical story of brothers James and John asking Jesus if they could sit on either side of the throne in heaven.  He described their request as a "basic desires for recognition, for importance."  He went on to say that everyone "want[s] to be important, to surpass others, to achieve distinction, to lead the parade."  Martin Luther King, Jr. called these desires "the Drum Major Instinct."

King described the danger of the instinct when someone "ends up trying to push others down in order to push himself up."  He pointed out that if "this instinct is not harnessed, it becomes a very dangerous, pernicious instinct."  Someone who is tearing others down to gain power will not be a good leader.  A person who is guided by selfish desires will look out for their own interests before the interests of others.

This "Drum Major Instinct" to surpass and achieve can help to create great leaders.  Great leaders are often ambitious.  They work hard to obtain goals.  Leaders often work hard to "achieve distinction."  In the sermon, King told what the reaction of Jesus was to the question asked by James and John.  Jesus told them that greatness must be earned.  Many great leaders work extremely hard to gain respect.