Consider the events that shaped you into who you are now. The life-denying and life-affirming experiences, people, places, events, and decisions. Each experience puts you on a unique path that is different from others.

Take two people – One person who grew up in a middle-class neighborhood, went to public school, and then entered the workforce right after high school will have a different approach to life than someone who went to private schools, an Ivy League college, and then joined the family business as an executive.

Even two people who have very similar paths growing up will have beliefs and values that will differentiate them from one another. These differences influence your leadership style.

One style is not better than the other. Although a leader’s ability to flex among several styles is paramount. This level of adaptability signals an effective leader who discerns what is most required at any given time based on the needs of the one being influenced at the time. This is when how you use your skills (and skills you can develop) makes a huge difference. In short, more emphasis is placed on how you do over what you do.

The key is to show up, pay attention, do the work, and learn as you go

Ready to See the Forest Through the Trees?