There are lots of characteristics that make a great leader – but one an essential quality has to be having the impetus to produce change around us. But what if, in seeking to produce change, we were impeded from the start? What if the barriers stopping us from acting were not simply a case of apathy or laziness but something more psychologically ingrained?

In a recent Veritasium video, Derek Muller explains the science behind a phenomenon known as ‘learned helplessness’. He explains that if we are taught that we are helpless regularly enough then we will eventually learn to accept this state indefinitely - even when the opposite is true.

Do you think ‘learned helplessness’ has ever stopped you stepping up and becoming a leader? Watch the video below, and let us know in comments.