ACOTAR’s Nesta Archeron and the House That Out-Led Rhysand: Lessons in Situational Leadership

Nesta Archeron from Sarah J. Maas's A Court of Thorns and Roses has never fit anywhere, least of all inside the Night Court's Inner Circle. Andi and Teddi kick off their Nesta series with a question every leader runs into eventually: what do you do with the person who won't do what you say? Her sister Feyre tries, Rhysand tries, Amren tries, and Cassian really tries. Using Situational Leadership, Andi and Teddi break down why every attempt fails, and who finally gets through to her without saying a single word.

⚔️ First time here? We don't gatekeep — follow Crossing the Realms wherever you listen.

⚠️ SPOILERS: Heavy for the A Court of Thorns and Roses series through A Court of Silver Flames

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Leadership Concepts Discussed

Situational Leadership (Paul Hersey & Ken Blanchard) — there's no single best way to lead; leaders adjust how much they direct and support someone based on that person's skill and commitment for the task in front of them

Directing (Situational Leadership) — high direction, low support: the leader sets the goals, gives clear instructions and closely supervises

Coaching (Situational Leadership) — high direction, high support: the leader still directs but also explains decisions, asks for input and encourages

Supporting (Situational Leadership) — high support, low direction: the leader listens, encourages and shares decisions while the person takes the lead on the work

Delegating (Situational Leadership) — low direction, low support: the leader hands over the responsibility and trusts the person to run with it

Servant Leadership (Robert K. Greenleaf) — the leader is a servant first, focused on the growth and well-being of the people they lead; the test is whether those people grow, become more independent and start serving others too

Listening (Servant Leadership) — listening first, to understand what people actually need before deciding or directing

Building Community (Servant Leadership) — creating a real sense of belonging among the people you lead

Individualization (Gallup CliftonStrengths) — being drawn to each person's unique qualities and figuring out how different people can work well together

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (Abraham Maslow) — people need food, rest, safety and belonging before they can focus on growth or harder work

Leader-Member Exchange (Fred Dansereau, George Graen & William Haga) — leaders tend to form an in-group they trust and an out-group they don't, and people in the out-group get less information, trust and support

Leaders Eat Last (Simon Sinek) — leaders who put their people first build a Circle of Safety, where people trust each other enough to do their best work

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Fantasy Characters Discussed

Nesta Archeron (A Court of Thorns and Roses) — the eldest Archeron sister, Made High Fae by the Cauldron; the central character of A Court of Silver Flames

The House of Wind (A Court of Thorns and Roses) — the Night Court residence carved into the mountain above Velaris, with a mind of its own

Cassian (A Court of Thorns and Roses) — Inner Circle member, half-blood Illyrian, general of the Night Court's armies

Rhysand (A Court of Thorns and Roses) — High Lord of the Night Court

Amren (A Court of Thorns and Roses) — Inner Circle member and Rhysand's Second; an ancient being trapped in a Fae body

Elain Archeron (A Court of Thorns and Roses) — the middle Archeron sister, also Made High Fae by the Cauldron

Feyre Archeron (A Court of Thorns and Roses) — the youngest Archeron sister, High Lady of the Night Court

Gwyneth Berdara (A Court of Thorns and Roses) — a priestess of the library beneath the House of Wind

Emerie (A Court of Thorns and Roses) — an Illyrian shopkeeper in Windhaven

Azriel and Mor (A Court of Thorns and Roses) — Inner Circle members: the Night Court's spymaster and Rhysand's Third

Clotho (A Court of Thorns and Roses) — head priestess of the library beneath the House of Wind