When I Forgot to Lead Myself
Some mornings start with a sense of anxiety, and that was one of those days. The aircraft delivery date was fast approaching, and I could feel the tension in the air. My team expected me to run the process in the right direction, but deep down, I felt out of sync. My thoughts were messy, my energy almost drained, and instead of leading, I was overreacting to everything around me.
During a critical team meeting, I let my frustration slip and snapped at a colleague over something minor. The silence in the room was echoing, and the look on my colleague’s face hit me like a wake-up alarm. At that moment, I realized I was not leading anyone—neither my team nor myself.
That realization forced me to stop and think! How could I inspire confidence and direction in others when I wasn’t balanced and sensible myself? It became super clear that leadership starts from one's own self, and I had been failing this fundamental principle.
Why Leading Yourself Matters
Leadership isn’t just about guiding your team or managing projects; it starts with self-awareness and self-discipline. If you’re running on empty, unclear about your priorities, or emotionally overwhelmed, it’s only a matter of time before cracks appear in your leadership.
Think of the pre-flight checks for an aircraft. No matter how skilled the pilot is, if the systems aren’t functioning properly, the flight won’t proceed smoothly. As a leader, you’re no different. Regular self-checks—evaluating your goals, managing your energy, and preparing for challenges—are essential for staying effective and present.
When you fail to lead yourself, the impact isn’t limited to you. Your team, your work, and the overall environment reflect that imbalance. Centred, self-aware leadership is the foundation for stability and trust.
Building the Habit of Self-Leadership
After that difficult morning, I knew I needed to change my approach. I started with small steps, finding ten minutes every morning to organize my thoughts and set clear priorities. I made it a habit to reflect at the end of every week, asking myself what was good and where I could improve. These small adjustments created a ripple effect.
As I became more intentional about how I managed myself, I started seeing changes within my team too. Meetings became smoother, communication improved, and even during intensive moments, there was a sense of calm. By leading myself better, I was indirectly leading my team more effectively.
From Chaos to Clarity
Leadership is often described as a position of power and determination, but its true essence is self-mastery. When you lead yourself well, you create a ripple effect. Your stability fosters trust, not because you always have the perfect solution but because you bring clarity and focus to uncertain situations.
That morning at work taught me a valuable lesson: leadership isn’t about perfection; it’s about how to present what you have. You create the capacity to fully show up for others by showing up for yourself.
Leadership starts with leading yourself. Take a moment to ask: Am I setting the example I would want to follow? Great leadership isn’t about grand gestures or titles; it’s built on small, consistent choices that encourage trust, resilience, and growth every day.