You Are the Author of Your Own Story

Tone at the Top – 25-Feb-2025

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You Are the Author of Your Own Story

Welcome to Tone at the Top, your weekly insight into leadership, transformation, and sustainable success.

There comes a moment in every leader’s life when they realize: No one else is holding the pen. You are the author of your own story. The question is, are you writing it with intention—or letting others fill in the pages for you?

The Power of Owning Your Narrative

Every successful leader, entrepreneur, or visionary has one thing in common: they take ownership of their story. They don’t wait for circumstances to define them. They define themselves.

Leadership is not just about making strategic decisions for a company; it’s about making strategic decisions for yourself.

Are you choosing your direction—or reacting to what comes your way?

Are you defining your values—or letting external pressures dictate them?

Are you shaping your impact—or letting it be an afterthought?

Your Past Is a Chapter, Not the Whole Book

Many leaders make the mistake of believing that their past defines them. Yes, past experiences shape us, but they don’t have to trap us.

Steve Jobs was fired from the company he founded. Oprah was told she wasn’t fit for television. I became a programmer when it was considered a social dysfunction.

Each of these leaders had a choice: accept a narrative written by others or write their own.

In business, this lesson is critical. Industries evolve. Markets shift. Personal and professional failures happen. The key is knowing that failure isn’t a final chapter—it’s a plot twist. Your response to it determines the story you tell.

Ask yourself:

·?????? What chapter are you currently writing?

·?????? Are you holding onto old failures instead of drafting a new beginning?

·?????? What would your future self thank you for starting today?

·?????? What’s the challenge you want to delete and are you certain you would be the same person without those paragraphs?

1????? The Myth of “Waiting for the Right Time”

Too many leaders fall into the trap of waiting. Waiting for the right economy. Waiting for the right opportunity. Waiting for the right partner, mentor, or investor.

But here’s the truth: the right time is the moment you decide it is.

Think of Jeff Bezos launching Amazon from his garage, or Sara Blakely building Spanx with $5,000 in savings. They didn’t wait for ideal conditions—they created them.

If you’re waiting for certainty, you’ll be waiting forever. The best leaders take calculated risks and adapt along the way.

2????? The Role of Intentionality in Leadership

Every great story has a theme—a central idea that gives it meaning. Your leadership journey should have the same.

What do you stand for?

What values drive your decisions?

What impact do you want to leave behind?

This level of clarity separates great leaders from those who merely manage. Leaders who define their core values build companies and cultures that last. They attract the right people, make bolder decisions, and navigate uncertainty with confidence.

If you don’t define your values, the market will do it for you. Competitors will set the terms. Trends will dictate your direction. Employees will look elsewhere for inspiration.

Own your story. Define your leadership.

3????? Reframing Challenges as Part of the Plot

In every great story, the protagonist faces obstacles. The same applies to leadership.

Market disruptions. Talent shortages. Financial downturns. Regulatory hurdles.

Each challenge is an opportunity to shape your legacy.

A great CEO doesn’t avoid hard decisions; they embrace them. A great entrepreneur doesn’t shy away from risk; they calculate it. A great executive doesn’t resist transformation; they lead it.

Leaders who thrive in disruption are those who expect challenges. They see setbacks as part of the journey, not as roadblocks to success.

When facing a challenge, ask yourself:

1.????? How will I view this moment five years from now?

2.???? What lesson is this experience teaching me?

3.???? If this were a turning point in my leadership story, what would I want the outcome to be?

4???? The Power of Editing

Great writing isn’t just about drafting—it’s about editing. The same goes for leadership.

There will be times when you need to pivot. When an old strategy no longer works. When a market shift demands a new approach.

The best leaders aren’t afraid to rewrite parts of their story.

This means:

·?????? Letting go of what no longer serves you. Whether it’s an outdated business model, a limiting mindset, or toxic relationships—every great leader knows when to turn the page.

·?????? Revising strategies that aren’t working. Just because something worked in the past doesn’t mean it’s the best path forward. Be willing to innovate.

·?????? Updating your vision as you grow. Your aspirations at 25 may not be the same at 45 or 60. Leaders evolve, and their stories should too.

5????? A Call to Action: Write the Next Chapter

Your legacy isn’t something that happens to you—it’s something you create.

Starting today:

·?????? Take one step toward a goal you’ve been delaying.

·?????? Make one decision based on your core values, not external pressures.

·?????? Reframe one challenge as an opportunity to grow.

Because at the end of the day, leadership isn’t about what you achieve—it’s about the story you leave behind.

What’s the next chapter you’re going to write?

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Onward.

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About me

When someone in the board room drops the proverbial “I know a guy…” – that’s my cue because I’m that guy.

For 30 years, I’ve enabled companies in multiple industries to drive success by uncovering new revenue opportunities, increasing market share, reducing costs, and intensifying efficiency, creating $1 billion dollars in revenue.

How? By stating the hard truths, isolating the underlying problems, and executing data-driven, specific solutions to tackle these challenges.

Also

With five million air miles and as an executive in global corporations, I bring broad cultural insights to organizations. I serve as Vice Chair of Verity’s Supervisory Committee and have five terms as a corporate and non-profit board director.

I’m an end-of-life doula serving people and their circle of care in their final days.

Want to take the conversation deeper? Contact me here: ??