"Default Thinking Kills. Perspective is Your Power Play."
Learn to start with who, rather than start with why. In leadership, it’s tempting to chase after the strategies of successful peers, thinking that their systems might be the missing piece. You’ll know what aligns because it will breathe life into your leadership style—not suffocate it.
See also related blogs in this 40000 foot view- Perspectives series.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve immersed myself in podcasts, blogs, and articles—all in an effort to explore different perspectives on business growth and development.
I’m always looking to learn, but I’m just as interested in challenging what I consume.
I don’t take information at face value; I poke holes, test ideas, and evaluate whether they align with my personal philosophy.
As a leader, this kind of discernment is essential.
If you’ve read my past writing, you’ll know I tend to toggle between the 40,000-foot view and a micro-level lens. It’s simply how my brain works. I’ve found that this way of thinking serves me well—both professionally and personally—as I continually try to refine it.
Still, even with that awareness, I sometimes wonder if I’m missing something.
Why don’t certain business models or growth tactics resonate with me? Am I not doing enough of the "right" things?
Maybe you’ve felt that way too. If you’re in a leadership position, it’s easy to feel that tension—between staying true to your instincts and adapting to proven methods. It’s tempting to chase after the strategies of successful peers, thinking that their systems might be the missing piece. But here’s the thing:
The real work doesn’t start when you adopt someone else’s blueprint. It begins when you shape those ideas through the lens of your own identity.
That’s when leadership gets real.
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There’s a lot of buzz around finding your "why" in leadership circles—and yes, understanding your purpose is critical. But I believe there’s a step before that.
You have to know your WHO. Who are you at your core? What motivates you? What patterns define your best decisions and most inspired leadership moments?
WHO Comes Before WHY
Only when you start there—at the level of identity—do the WHY, HOW, and WHAT of leadership start to naturally fall into place. That’s not a shortcut. It’s slower, harder, and more introspective. But it leads to something that lasts: alignment.
The real work doesn’t start when you adopt someone else’s blueprint. It begins when you shape those ideas through the lens of your own identity.
Building a Leadership Process That Works For You
Finding your process doesn’t happen overnight. It takes trial, error, and honest exploration.
Start by identifying what’s worked for you in the past.
When have you experienced breakthrough moments as a leader? What strategies gave you energy, and which ones felt forced or draining?
From there, don’t be afraid to experiment.
Borrow ideas. Test them. Toss out what doesn’t fit. You’ll know what aligns because it will breathe life into your leadership style—not suffocate it.
For me, the magic happens when I release the need to follow what works for others and instead double down on what genuinely supports the WHO of me.
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Zoom Out. Then Zoom In.
Perspective is everything.
- First, take a step back and look at your business and leadership approach from that 40,000-foot view. Ask yourself: Am I building something that reflects who I am?
- Then, zoom in. Get granular. What small shifts can you make to bring your big-picture vision into sharper focus?
This blend of macro and micro thinking is what turns surface-level leadership into something enduring and deeply personal.
Perspective is Everything.
Coaching, Mentorship & the Value of Reflection
Uncovering your WHO often requires more than solo reflection. It might mean working with a coach, talking to a mentor, or engaging with a leadership circle that helps you challenge your blind spots.
But no matter the approach, remember—this isn’t about following a one-size-fits-all leadership template. It’s about doing the work to define your process, your rhythm, your identity.
Ready to Build Your Own Leadership Process That Aligns With Your Identity?
Book a Leadership Strategy Session with me
We’ll uncover what’s holding your team back and explore how small shifts in perspective and process can unlock big results.