After the crash of Oceanic Flight 815, the survivors of Lost needed strong leaders to guide them. Many characters became capable leaders as the series progressed, but the show's first and most consistent leaders were Jack Shephard and John Locke.
Jack and Locke had different strengths that made them effective leaders. This list is about highlighting the moments where their individual leadership shined the most, and not an exploration of who was the better leader. Jack and Locke both made their fair share of mistakes, but more importantly, they rose to the occasion when it mattered most and helped others.
Jack: Saving Victims Of The Crash
From the moment he ran out of the jungle and onto the beach, Jack immediately began helping people and got others to help as well. He took the lead in helping a man whose leg was pinned down by part of the plane wreckage.
When he saw Boone performing CPR incorrectly on Rose, he rushed over and managed to revive her. He got Hurley to stay with Claire while she was having contractions, and rushed them to safety before the plane wreckage could fall on them. These actions cemented Jack as a leader and an individual that the other survivors trusted.
Locke: Hunting And Gathering Food
John Locke first stepped up during the episode "Walkabout." When the survivors were running out of food and began panicking, he made them realize that hunting the boars on the Island was their best option.
Locke used his life experiences and extensive knowledge to successfully hunt and teach others how to do it as well. The group continued to rely on him for food and he continued to deliver.
Jack: Live Together, Die Alone Speech
Jack united the survivors together with his speech and gave them a purpose. He made them realize that if the group couldn't live together, they were going to die alone. By embracing the truth that they'd already been on the Island for days and rescue might never come, he made them see that they had to band together and find a way to survive for the long haul.
He found fresh water, formed a plan, and gave them a way forward when all they wanted to do was fight and blame each other. "Live together, die alone" became a recurring line throughout the show that captured the survivors' unity.
Locke: Helping Charlie With His Addiction
Locke had a gift for connecting with certain individuals and helping them overcome their struggles. One of the best examples occurred with Charlie, who was struggling with his heroin addiction. Charlie's supply wouldn't last long and the withdrawal was already tormenting him. Locke used Charlie's guitar and his love of music to help Charlie make the right choice and battle his addiction.
Charlie eventually threw his remaining heroin into the fire and committed to a long road of recovery, none of which would've been possible without the time Locke took to connect with and help Charlie.
Jack: Leading The Survivors To The Radio Tower
When the Others planned to attack and a freighter offered a potential chance of rescue, Jack made the decision to keep the survivors together. He led most of them to the radio tower so they could successfully contact the people on the freighter.
Meanwhile, he ensured that the Others would walk into a trap when they reached the beach. He stayed true to his "live together, die alone" speech from the first season by keeping the group united as they dealt with the Others and the possibility of rescue.
Locke: Helping Claire With Aaron
Giving birth and raising a child on the Island was a daunting task, but Locke made it a little easier by supporting Claire along the way. Before she gave birth, he enlisted her help with a project, and didn't reveal until the end that they'd been working on a crib for her baby the entire time.
When Claire struggled to get Aaron to sleep, he taught her how to swaddle Aaron. The trick worked wonders and made getting Aaron to sleep much more manageable.
Jack: Saving The Island
Jack volunteered to become Jacob's replacement and assume the role of Protector of the Island. Though he wasn't in this role for long, Jack used it to take the lead in defeating the Man in Black and saving the Island.
He sacrificed a future with Kate and his own life to save everyone else. Jack was always a strong leader, and in the end he was able to use that leadership as a man of faith who fulfilled his destiny.
Locke: Cleaning Up His Own Mess
All leaders make mistakes, but what matters most is how they respond to those mistakes. Locke made a colossal error at the end of season 2 when he destroyed the computer in that hatch and ensured that the button couldn't be pushed.
In order to clean up the mess he created, Locke created a sweat lodge that he used to "speak to the Island." He went on a vision quest where he saw Boone, who helped him realize that Eko was in danger. Locke's actions put Eko in this position, but Locke took responsibility and saved Eko so he could begin to make things right.
Jack: Choosing Hurley To Become The Protector Of The Island
True leaders need to know when it's time to pass on the torch, and also who is best suited to receive the torch. Jack's time as Protector of the Island was short-lived, but he knew his replacement needed to be someone who could hold the position for many years to come.
Jack wisely chose Hurley. For years, he'd seen Hurley take care of other people, and he knew Hurley would bring that same compassion and commitment to this new role. Jack ensured the future was in good hands by passing his role onto Hurley, who was ultimately the perfect candidate for the role.
Locke: Stopping The Time Flashes
When the Oceanic Six left the Island, Locke needed to step up more than ever before. He led most of the remaining survivors and stopped the time flashes. The Island was skipping through time and if it didn't stop, it would eventually kill the survivors.
Locke went into the underground depths of the Island and moved the frozen wheel so the time flashes stopped and the remaining survivors were saved. Locke was told that moving the wheel would also cause him to leave the Island and ultimately die, but he still went through with it.