What Cancer Taught Me About Leadership

Cancer has a way of teaching you lessons you never expected, especially about leadership. While these are my personal reflections, I realize leadership is a journey and we all have different takeaways. Here’s what I learned:

1. Never underestimate the potential in people. During my cancer journey, I learned firsthand how people can surprise you with their strength, resilience, and capacity for compassion. As leaders, it’s easy to place people into boxes based on their job title or past performance, but cancer taught me that everyone has untapped potential. Leaders must create environments where individuals can grow and reach heights they may not even realize they’re capable of achieving. When you believe in people, you unlock their potential.
2. People are the greatest gift in life. Cancer gave me a deep appreciation for relationships. When everything else feels fragile, it’s the people around you who truly matter. Leadership isn’t about titles, power, or profit; it’s about people. The quality of relationships you build with your team, peers, and community far outweighs any business accomplishments. Leadership is a responsibility to nurture and uplift those around you.
3. You might be the one person who can make a difference in someone’s life—don’t waste the opportunity. Every day presents a chance to positively impact someone’s life. Whether it’s through mentorship, a word of encouragement, or simply listening, leaders have immense capacity to influence others. Cancer reminded me that life is too short to waste these opportunities. As a leader, be intentional with your actions—you never know when you’ll be the catalyst for someone’s transformation.
4. It doesn’t matter what you do as much as why you do it. Purpose drives everything. When cancer forced me to reassess my priorities, I realized that success in leadership isn’t about completing tasks, but about the motivation behind your actions. Why are you leading? What legacy are you trying to build? Leaders grounded in a higher purpose—whether it’s serving others, making an impact, or living their values—are the ones who leave lasting impressions.
5. There are three groups of people: those who are for you, those who are against you, and those who don’t care. You don’t need to waste time and energy on two of those groups. Cancer taught me the importance of focus. Time and energy are finite resources. Not everyone will be on your side, and that’s okay. Don’t waste time trying to win over people who are against you or indifferent to you. Instead, invest in those who believe in your vision and values. These are the people who will walk with you and contribute meaningfully to your journey.
6. There is more joy in giving than in receiving. Cancer opened my eyes to the true meaning of fulfillment. I used to think success was about achieving goals, but I’ve come to realize the greatest joy comes from giving—whether it’s time, opportunities, or support. Leadership is about service. When you give selflessly to your team and those around you, you create an environment where everyone thrives. That’s where true joy lies.

These are just some of the lessons cancer taught me about leadership—but they’re not the only lessons out there. Leadership is personal, and we all have different paths.

What would you add? I’d love to hear your thoughts on leadership and how your experiences have shaped you.