I recently received an email from one of my mentors, Kaeli Lindholm, and it stopped me in my tracks. Her insights on leadership, strategy, and mobilizing people resonated deeply with me and reminded me of the power of intentional planning. Inspired by her wisdom, I began reflecting on my own journey and the lessons I’ve gathered as a leader, blending her guidance with my experiences to create a leadership blueprint. This blueprint is designed to empower others with actionable strategies to lead boldly, inspire effectively, and create environments where success becomes inevitable.
Let me tell you a little secret about leadership. Some of my best lessons didn’t come from books or webinars—they came from the “old guys and gals.”
You know who I mean—not “old” in age, of course, but seasoned and wise. These are the people who’ve done the work before you, whose stories are a treasure trove of leadership gold. When I sit with them, I’m reminded of how Newton stood on the shoulders of giants or how Aristotle sought wisdom from the great thinkers who came before him. It’s a timeless truth: the best leaders are the ones who are willing to learn.
Just like Newton built on the discoveries of others to define the laws of motion, and Aristotle pieced together his groundbreaking philosophies from his mentors, leadership today is about absorbing the wisdom around you. It’s about sitting down with the people who’ve walked the path, listening to their lessons, and using them to create your own unique vision.
These conversations aren’t just inspiring—they’re humbling. They remind me that no matter how much I grow, there’s always more to learn. And that mindset is the foundation of the leadership blueprint I’m sharing with you today.
Sitting with them is like unlocking a vault of leadership gold. You listen, you laugh, and you learn. They’ll tell you about the things that worked, the missteps they’ll never repeat, and the resilience it takes to lead with presence and purpose.
And yes, sometimes it feels like a lot. But every conversation is a masterclass in humility and perspective—because the more you know, the more you realize how much you still have to learn.
It’s one of the reasons I’ve embraced being a leader who’s not afraid to take it all in, do what others won’t, and mobilize people toward a vision. Leadership isn’t about perfection; it’s about purpose. And if you’re ready to lead in 2025, here’s the truth: you’ve got to be the kind of leader who doesn’t just survive the chaos—you engineer an environment where success is inevitable for you and your team.
The 3 Pillars of Leadership Success
Great leadership doesn’t just happen. It’s built on three foundational pillars: business, team, and personal growth. But there’s another layer that ties them together: knowing your core values.
Your core values are the compass for your decisions, the guide for your goals, and the fuel for your focus. Without them, even the best strategies can feel hollow. With them, you create alignment and authenticity that inspires others to follow your lead.
Let’s dive into how these pillars work together:
1. Your Business: Set Goals and Measure What Matters
The best leaders don’t just set goals—they measure progress with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
What’s a KPI? It’s a measurable value that tracks progress toward your most important objectives. Think of it as the GPS for your business journey:
- Revenue growth rate (Are we growing sustainably?)
- Customer retention rate (Are we keeping people happy and loyal?) – Learning Retention Rate can also fall in this category.
- Project completion rate (Are we getting things done on time?)
KPIs keep you focused and give you data to make better decisions. But here’s the key: you can’t just track them—you have to hold your team (and yourself) accountable. Leadership means being the one who says, “This is what we’re aiming for, and this is how we’ll know we’ve achieved it.”
2. Your Team: Mobilize, Empower, and Engineer Success
Leadership is about mobilizing people—getting them to believe in the vision and do the work that matters most. To do this, you need:
- Presence and Confidence: Be the calm in the storm and the clarity in the chaos. Your energy sets the tone for your team.
- Humility: It’s not about you. Great leaders amplify their team’s strengths and credit them for the wins.
- KPIs for Teams: Assign measurable outcomes that align with your business goals. For example:
- Customer satisfaction scores (CSAT) for your service team.
- Time-to-hire metrics for HR.
- Professional Development Completion and Application Rate
- Percentage of Students Meeting or Exceeding Academic Standards
And don’t forget this: success doesn’t happen by accident. Engineer an environment where people are set up to succeed. Clear expectations, the right tools, and a culture of accountability make all the difference.
3. Your Personal Growth: Take the Opportunities Others Won’t
As a leader, you’ve got to do what others aren’t willing to do. That means:
- Sitting with the “old guys/gals” and mentors (they’re a treasure trove of wisdom, trust me) in your spare time.
- Seeking feedback and acting on it.
- Investing in your own development—whether it’s through mentorship, coaching, or intentional learning.
Your growth fuels your team’s growth. When you show up with presence, confidence, and humility, you model what leadership looks like.
Why This Matters
When you lead with intention—grounded in your core values, guided by KPIs, and supported by the wisdom of those who’ve paved the way—you create a ripple effect. Your business and leadership thrives. Your team rises to the challenge. And you? You step into the kind of leadership that doesn’t just achieve goals—it inspires.
This Week, Remember This:
Leadership is about making the tough calls, creating clarity, and mobilizing people to do the work that matters most. As Stephen King said, “You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.”
So go ahead. Sit with the “old guys and gals.” Set bold KPIs. Engineer your team’s success. Lead with presence, purpose, and a little humor along the way.
Here’s to making 2025 the year you step fully into your leadership.
Here’s a leadership blueprint for you to power up your leadership and life!
Even If You Miss..... 