My Leadership Story: Leading with Grit, Courage, and Empathy
Leadership, for me, has never been about titles, authority, or accolades. It’s about showing up—especially when it’s hard. Over the years, I’ve discovered that the most authentic leadership grows not in moments of ease but in moments of challenge. My journey has been shaped and defined by three guiding pillars: grit, courage, and empathy.
Grit: The Power of Persistence
Early in my career, I faced a defining moment when I was tasked with leading a high-stakes project that was falling behind schedule, under-resourced, and low on morale. Many had written it off as a lost cause. But I saw a challenge worth taking on.
Grit is not about charging ahead blindly—it’s about committing to a vision and holding it through obstacles, failure, and fatigue. I leaned into that belief, working long hours, listening deeply to concerns, and encouraging the team through every minor win. There were setbacks—missed milestones, skepticism from stakeholders—but we didn’t stop. We persevered, adapted, and eventually delivered. That experience taught me that consistency beats intensity, and that leadership is a long game.
Courage: Making the Hard Choices
Leadership demands tough calls—not just when you’re sure of the outcome, but especially when you’re not. Courage has meant speaking up in rooms where silence was safer, advocating for the right decision even when it was unpopular, and holding myself accountable when mistakes were made.
One moment that stands out was when I had to restructure part of my team to meet new strategic priorities. It wasn’t just a professional decision—it impacted real people. But I knew that avoiding it would be a disservice to the team and the business. I faced it head-on, with transparency and respect. Courage, I’ve learned, isn’t about the absence of fear. It’s about moving forward despite it—anchored in purpose, not ego.
Empathy: The Heart of Leadership
If grit and courage are the engine and steering wheel of leadership, empathy is the fuel. It’s what allows leaders to connect, inspire, and truly understand the people they lead. I’ve always believed that people don’t just follow plans—they follow people they trust. And trust is built when we see each other, listen deeply, and care genuinely.
Whether it’s taking time to understand what’s holding a team member back, creating space for honest conversations, or showing compassion in times of personal hardship—empathy is the invisible thread that ties leadership to humanity. During the pandemic, this became more important than ever. Virtual walls couldn’t replace the human need for support, and I made it a priority to lead with compassion, flexibility, and presence.
Leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. And when we lead with grit, courage, and empathy, we don’t just move teams forward. We lift them.
