There’s a moment every leader faces.
You step into the role, believe you’ll do things differently – only to realize it isn’t so easy.
I haven’t always been the best leader for everyone I’ve served.
Sometimes it’s personality differences—I know I’m not everyone’s cup of tea.
Sometimes it’s the weight of decisions I don’t fully agree with but must carry out.
Sometimes it’s because leadership, at its core, is imperfect.
I work on it. Every single day. I test out different ways of doing things. I get lots of feedback and deeply listen. I try to never take it personally, even when it hurts. Leadership isn’t a destination- it’s a practice.
Not Always My Fault, Always My Responsibility
Despite my flaws, I always fight for my people behind closed doors. They don’t always know it—I don’t believe in broadcasting the body blows I take on their behalf. Leadership isn’t about making sure people see the struggle; it’s about ensuring they have what they need to succeed.
I’ve been the face of decisions that weren’t mine to make. The ones that didn’t sit well with my team. The ones I had to implement while standing between them and the higher-ups who wanted it done a certain way.
But I never pushed blame onto those above me. That’s the job.
A leader speaks truth to power behind closed doors and executes in public with one voice.
It’s not about taking credit. It’s not about shifting blame. It’s about ownership.
And while these challenges are not always my fault, they are always my responsibility.
The Hardest Lessons
I haven’t always been my best self.
I’ve worked myself into places, contorted myself into knots, until I was a pretzel trying to be everything, to everyone. Until I no longer recognized who I was.
I’ve questioned if I should be coaching others when I’ve made so many mistakes myself.
I’ve watched others rise faster, climb higher, and make politically expedient choices that I never could. I’ve kept my principles intact—sometimes at the cost of opportunities.
Showing Failure
I see leaders who say they embrace failure – but never actually show it.
Leadership isn’t just about saying failure is a learning opportunity – it’s about showing your mistakes and how you grew from them.
For a long time, I wondered – am I the only one who thinks like this?
But I know, I’m not alone. And if you’ve felt this way – you’re not alone either.
What Leadership Is REALLY About
I think I’ve gotten more right than wrong.
Some would say the measure is in the results —I’ve helped many companies make millions and millions of dollars. Top line revenue growth, month over month increases, reduced millions in spend, improved bottom line profitability double digits.
But my mission isn’t just to build profitable companies—it’s to build better leaders.
The best leaders don’t demand perfection – they cultivate growth.
They don’t expect people to follow them blindly. They help others unlock their strengths.
They don’t chase control. They create environments where others thrive.
My Measure
My greatest measure of success will always be the people I’ve helped grow. Nothing excites me more than seeing those I’ve mentored rise, knowing I played a small part in their journey. Watching them step into new levels of leadership—proving that the right way does work—and carrying forward the lessons we built together, that’s the legacy that matters.
And that means unlocking people’s strengths- helping them see what they’re capable of, even before they believe it themselves.
The Future Of Leadership Won’t Be Build On Ego, Bravado, Or Dominance
I’ve coached and taught leaders who now lead others.
Not the ones who climb to the top at any cost, leaving wreckage behind.
Not the ones who chase power without responsibility.
Because leadership isn’t about power – it’s about responsibility. It’s about standing for what’s right even when it’s inconvenient. I’ve made choices that weren’t the easiest, but they were the right ones. And that’s a leadership hill I’ll die on.
But the ones who believe leadership is about service, accountability, and doing the right thing—even when no one is watching.
The Leadership We Need
I won’t pretend the ones I’ve failed don’t weigh on me. They do. They always will.
But I carry them with me as a reminder to be better.
Every mistake has been a lesson. Every setback has sharpened my leadership.
I don’t just carry them with me – I apply them.
The leaders I coach don’t need perfection. They need a guide who’s been in the fire and learned how to walk through it stronger.
I Suit Up Every Day With One Goal
To help someone else avoid hitting the same walls I did.
To teach what I’ve learned the hard way.
To remind someone out there that they are not alone.
Because leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about helping others discover their own.
The Future Of Leadership Will Be Built By Those Who Elevate Others
It will be built by those who elevate others, not themselves – by those who create real impact, not just chase titles.
We don’t need more leaders who crave power. We need leaders who understand that power is a responsibility. And those who use it well – change everything.
It’s about standing in the fire, owning your mistakes, and fighting for what’s right—even when it’s hard. That’s the leader I am, and am still becoming. And if you’re reading this- you are too.
This is why I keep showing up. To help others build breakthroughs and lead with integrity, with impact, and with heart. That’s the leader I’m still becoming.
If you’ve ever struggled with leadership—if you’ve ever felt the weight of getting it right—I see you. Let’s talk about what real leadership looks like. Drop a comment: What’s one lesson leadership has taught you?
Development Geek 