What Kind of Leader Will You Choose to Be?

Jul 15

A Call to Courageous Self-Reflection and Transformative Action

"Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others."
— Jack Welch, former CEO of GE

Leadership is not a title. It is a posture, a discipline, and a conscious choice. At its best, leadership is the capacity to impact lives with integrity, clarity, and boldness.

But here’s the truth: You cannot lead others any further than you are willing to go within yourself.

That’s why this reflection is not a feel-good journal prompt. It is a challenge. A leadership reckoning. A mirror to show you who you are now—and an invitation to become the kind of leader the world actually needs.

“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”
— Sheryl Sandberg

This evaluation will take just one hour of your time. But it will require the full weight of your honesty. You’ll need courage, humility, and the willingness to examine not only what you do—but how and why you do it.

Reckon with the Leader You Are

Get still. Get honest. Then answer:

Where and how have you actually made a difference?
What challenges have shaped you? Which have exposed your blind spots?
What do others come to you for? What do you secretly hope no one notices?
What values do you say you lead with? Are they visible in your daily actions?
Which leaders do you admire? What exactly do you want to emulate?
Which leadership descriptors fit you today? Circle the ones that feel true, not just aspirational:

Word Bank:

Add your own.
Cross out the ones that don’t serve you.
Star the ones you are ready to develop.

Push yourself here. As Harvard professor and author Ronald Heifetz reminds us:

"The single most common source of leadership failure we’ve been able to identify is that leaders treat adaptive challenges like technical problems." — Harvard Business Review

Leadership is not a checklist. It’s a capacity you deepen through reflection and rigorous self-inquiry.

Let It Settle

Take a reflective walk or break. No phone. No input. Just space.

As you walk, ask:

What surprised me?
What felt uncomfortable to admit?
What patterns do I see?
Where am I ready to grow?

Define the Leader You’re Becoming

What kind of leader do I truly want to be?
Describe the character, presence, and influence you want to embody.
Create a personal leadership phrase.
A short, bold statement that defines your highest leadership aspiration. Examples:
- “I lead with calm courage.”
- “I catalyze change through compassion.”
- “I speak truth to power—ethically and consistently.”
Identify the gap.
What skills, behaviors, or mindsets must you develop to embody that identity?
Take action.
What can you do:

Today (A shift in thinking, a shift in language)
This month (Start a course, read a book, lead a new initiative)
This year (Work with a coach, give a keynote, take a sabbatical to reflect)

Here’s What Heart Ignited Leaders Do:

Create a Leadership Vision Statement. Return to it weekly.
Schedule regular reflection time. Great leaders build in space to think.
Get a coach. Not a friend, not a mentor. A trained coach will hold space, reflect truth, and challenge your growth.
Build accountability. Leadership happens in community, find one that stretches you.

"The most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born—that there is a genetic factor to leadership. That's nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born." — Warren Bennis

The World Doesn’t Need Another Safe Leader

The world needs brave leaders—those who are self-aware, values-driven, and unafraid to disrupt old ways for better outcomes.

Your leadership is about you, and everyone you influence.

So ask yourself not only what kind of leader do I want to be—but also: What kind of world will my leadership help build?

Let’s Build That Future—Together

I work with leaders ready to do the deep, honest work of transformation. If you're ready to not just talk about leadership growth, but live it, I invite you to consider joining a Brave Leadership Mastermind and grow in learning and in community. Or reach out directly to continue the conversation.

To discover more ways I can help, visit my Coaching and Brave Leadership Mastermind pages.

References:

Heifetz, R., & Laurie, D. L. (1997). The Work of Leadership. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/1997/01/the-work-of-leadership
Sandberg, S. (n.d.). Quoted in Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
Welch, J. (n.d.). Interview and leadership insights, various speeches
Bennis, W. (2009). On Becoming a Leader

Jordan Mercedes