The Evolving Leader: How Personal Changes Shape Our Leadership

Leadership isn't just about managing teams or making decisions; it's about growing right along with the challenges and changes life throws at us. The saying "our leadership grows as quickly as we do" really hits home for me.

When I first took on a leadership role, I was all about passion and drive. I worked incredibly hard, sometimes too hard, sacrificing other parts of my life. Looking back, it was a necessary phase of my growth.

But life doesn’t stand still, and neither does leadership. Big life changes—like becoming a parent, experiencing personal loss, or going through a tough breakup—shift our focus and bring out parts of us we never knew existed.

For me, becoming a parent unexpectedly was one of those monumental shifts. It challenged my long-held belief that leadership meant choosing between a career and children. For years, I thought the decision was simple since I never wanted children and could dedicate all my energy to my career. But life has a way of upending our beliefs, showing us that what we often accept as fact is just one path among many. Becoming a parent showed me a whole new nurturing side that I hadn't used in my leadership before.

These changes might make us feel softer or more vulnerable, but they don't make us any less of a leader. In fact, they add depth to how we lead. They make us more relatable, understanding, and effective.

Many leaders I talk to worry about how personal challenges affect their leadership. It’s true, they will influence how you lead, but that’s not a bad thing. Embrace these changes. Let your experiences enrich your leadership style.

Leadership is always evolving. Every new challenge is a chance to learn and to lead better than before.

Have you faced something that changed how you lead? What new qualities did it bring out in you?