The #1 Shift That'll Make You A Better Leader.

It’s All About You.

Leadership has long been framed as a selfless act—a responsibility to serve your team, deliver results, and uphold the mission of your organization.

While that’s true, this singular focus on others often comes at a cost: burnout, self-doubt, and a nagging sense that something is missing.

Here’s the paradox: the most transformative leadership isn’t achieved by focusing entirely on them. It begins with you.

This shift—turning the lens inward and prioritizing yourself as a leader—isn’t selfish. It’s foundational.

When you are aligned, grounded, and intentional, you

. This realization was the most profound paradigm shift in my 14-year leadership journey.

Let’s explore five key elements of this shift and how you can embody them as you step into 2025.

1. Uncover Your Unique Leadership Style & Own It.

Early in my career, I struggled with self-comparison. I watched magnetic, extroverted leaders command rooms and thought: That’s what success looks like.

So, I tried to emulate them—only to feel inauthentic and disconnected from myself.

What I’ve learned is this: leadership isn’t about charisma or fitting into a mold. It’s about owning who you are and leading from your unique strengths and values.

Take a moment to reflect:

Are you leading as yourself, or are you trying to emulate someone else’s style?

When you claim your individuality, you tap into an authenticity that resonates far more deeply than mimicry ever could.

2. Regulate Yourself Emotionally: Leadership Starts With Presence.

Leadership is as much about emotional regulation as it is about decision-making. Yet, this is often overlooked.

We’re told to be strong, composed, and “professional,” which sometimes translates into suppressing emotions.

The truth? Suppressed emotions leak.

If you’re reactive or ungrounded, it affects not just your performance but also your team’s morale.

The most effective leaders I know—and the moments when I’ve been at my best—are those where I’ve prioritized staying grounded.

Whether it’s through mindfulness, tapping into breathwork, or simply pausing to reset, small daily rituals can make a massive difference.

What do you do to center yourself? If you’re not sure, 2025 is the year to build that habit.

3. Balance: Life Doesn’t Revolve Around Your Role

One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is this: when you make your leadership role the axis around which your life spins, you lose yourself.

For years, my identity was consumed by my title, responsibilities, and the results I was expected to deliver. The result? A lopsided life and creeping resentment.

Balance isn’t a static state—it’s dynamic and personal. It means defining what truly matters to you and ensuring your role supports, rather than dominates, those priorities.

Ask yourself:

What does balance look like for me?

It might mean setting boundaries, reclaiming time for hobbies, or realigning your schedule to include moments that nourish you. Balance is not just about surviving—it’s about thriving.

4. Time Management: A Strategic Recharge

Time management is often framed as a productivity hack, but it’s so much more. It’s a way to design a life that continually recharges and uplifts you.

One of the biggest shifts I’ve made is aligning my time with my core values and goals—not just my to-do list.

That means carving out space for what energizes me: quiet mornings, movement, deep conversations, and meaningful work.

Your calendar reflects your priorities. Does yours show that you’re a priority in your own life?

If not, how can you shift it in 2025 to ensure that your time supports your long-term well-being and success?

5. Letting Go of Limiting Narratives

Perhaps the most powerful shift of all is releasing the inner narratives that hold you back. Even in Senior Leadership roles, I battled thoughts like: Do I belong here? Someone else is more qualified than I am.

These stories are subtle but insidious.

They shape how you lead, the risks you take, and how you perceive yourself in every interaction.

The good news is that these narratives are not immutable truths. They’re stories you can rewrite.

Start by identifying the beliefs that no longer serve you.

Then, ask yourself:

What’s the truth I want to live by? This process is liberating—and transformative.

A Personal Lesson: Leadership as a Part of Life

For much of my career, I thought leadership was all about them: my team, the company, the goals. But in focusing outward, I neglected the person at the center of it all—me.

It wasn’t until I shifted this perspective that I realized leadership isn’t about sacrificing yourself.

It’s about integrating leadership into your life, so it serves your purpose, values, and vision—not the other way around.

When you prioritize yourself, you show up more fully, lead with greater clarity, and inspire others to do the same.

It’s All About You

As you reflect on 2024, I encourage you to embrace this paradigm shift: It’s all about you.

Not in a self-centered way, but in a way that empowers you to lead authentically, intentionally, and sustainably.

Here are a few questions to consider as you prepare for 2025:

• Are you embracing your unique leadership style, or are you trying to fit into a mold?
• How do you regulate yourself emotionally to stay present and grounded?
• What does balance look like for you, and how can you create it?
• Are you managing your time in a way that supports and energizes you?
• What limiting beliefs are holding you back, and are you ready to let them go?

Leadership begins with you.

When you make yourself a priority, you not only transform your own experience—you elevate everyone around you.

I’d love to hear from you:

What does it mean to focus on you as a Leader? How would you like to shift your approach to leadership in 2025? What lessons from 2024 will you carry forward?

I’m excited to learn from your journey!

#IntentionalLeadership #PersonalGrowth #FutureOfLeadership