How You Lead Matters

Unfortunately, many people right now are operating from one of two places: fight or flight.

And honestly, given the state of the world, it’s not hard to understand why. There is a lot of uncertainty, a lot of noise, and if we’re willing to call it what it is… a fair amount of chaos.

When we are in that reactive state, our leadership, whether at work, at home, or in our communities, tends to come from reaction rather than intention.

I remember working with a client a few years ago who had just completed the Energy Leadership Index (ELI) assessment. When we reviewed their results, they were furious. And I don’t use that word lightly; they were fuming! They were angry at the assessment, dismissing it as inaccurate and even calling it “dumb.” In truth, they were reacting to what the assessment was showing them. It was acting like a mirror, reflecting patterns they weren’t ready to see. After letting them vent, I said to them, very calmly,

 “Your reaction is the result.”

That statement stopped the conversation in its tracks. The assessment itself is neutral information. It isn’t judging. It isn’t punishing. It is simply information that reflects the lens through which you are currently seeing the world and the energy you are bringing to your life and leadership.

What you choose to do with that information is where the power lies.

And the same thing is true with leadership itself.

Leadership is actually quite simple. John C. Maxwell describes it perfectly:

 Leadership is influence.

And influence is neutral. But how we influence others is everything. When I teach this concept, I often use two historical examples that illustrate this clearly with two leaders we all know:

1. Adolf Hitler was undeniably influential. He mobilized millions of people. His influence shaped the actions of the entire world. By definition, he was a leader. But how he influenced people led to devastating consequences for humanity, and millions of people suffered and died. 

   
   

2. Now consider Gandhi. He also influenced millions. He changed the course of India’s future and inspired movements across the world. But how he led was profoundly different. His leadership came from what I call Above-the-Line energy — grounded in vision, compassion, and the greater good.

   
   

Both men had influence, but the energy behind their leadership created radically different outcomes. Which brings us back to the most important question any leader can ask:

How am I leading? Am I taking responsibility for the energy I transmit and receive?

Not just what results you’re achieving. How are you inspiring others along the way? Are you leading from fear, pressure, and reaction? Or from awareness, vision, and responsibility?

Slow down with these two questions and get really honest. Often, we can't see the truth in ourselves, and we need others to reflect it back to us.

Because at the end of your life, the results that will matter most won’t just be the goals you hit or the numbers you achieved. It will be the energy you brought and the way you influenced others along the journey.

This is an important topic- I want to hear your responses to the questions, and I respond to every single person! 

With awareness,