Lead Yourself First — The Foundation of Great Leadership

Leadership is something I care deeply about — not just as a role or title, but as a way of being.

If you’ve ever worked under a great leader, you’ll know how powerful that experience can be. You probably felt seen, supported, motivated — like you were part of something meaningful.

And if you’ve had the misfortune of working under poor leadership? You’ll know the flip side. Maybe you felt undervalued, confused, left out, or constantly second-guessing yourself. The contrast is stark — and it leaves a mark.

People don’t leave jobs; they leave how they feel in those jobs.

Here’s the thing I’ve learned over many years working with leaders across all levels: people don't leave jobs; they leave the way they feel in those jobs. And a lot of that comes down to leadership.

One of the most telling stats I’ve come across is this: employees are often only using 30% of their potential at work (Shift eLearning). And you can usually see this by looking outside the workplace.

I once heard of a manager who labeled an employee as lazy — but in his personal life, that same employee was training for Ironman competitions. Laziness wasn’t the issue. Misalignment, disconnection, or under-leadership likely was.

Great leaders unlock potential — not just through skills and strategy, but through how they show up.

So what’s the secret sauce? Sure, we can list traits like communication, vision, and emotional intelligence (and yes, they all matter). But one pattern shows up again and again in truly impactful leaders:

They lead themselves first.

Leading Yourself

When someone leads themselves well, they bring a calm, grounded presence to their leadership. They’re clear on who they are, what they stand for, and how to navigate the inevitable curveballs of leadership and life.

So what does it actually mean to lead yourself?

Know who you are.

Understand your story — the life experiences that have shaped you, and how they show up in your leadership today. There are no wasted lessons. Even the tough stuff holds wisdom if we’re willing to look for it.

The more aware you are of your own patterns, the more compassion you’ll have for others. Know and own your strengths and development areas and what drives you as an individual.

Be anchored in your values.

When you know what matters to you — and live in alignment with that — you become a leader people can trust. You’re consistent. Grounded. And you speak (and lead) from a place of integrity.

Have a vision — for yourself and your life.

Where are you headed? What impact do you want to have? Being clear on your own direction helps you lead others with purpose.

If you don’t know where you are personally going, how does that influence the vision and direction of your team?

Prioritise your wellbeing.

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Leading yourself means tending to your energy, your mindset, and your health — so you have the stamina and clarity to lead others well.

That might look like better sleep, movement, nutrition, or practices like mindfulness or meditation. Whatever helps you stay centred.

Balance what matters.

Leadership doesn’t exist in a vacuum. True leadership honours all areas of life — family, work, finances, relationships, fun, growth, and self-care.

Leading yourself means making conscious choices to stay connected to what matters most.

Keep learning and evolving.

When you commit to your own growth — both personally and professionally — you model what’s possible for others. And you’re better equipped to support those around you to grow too.

Be honest — with yourself and others.

There’s nothing more powerful than truth-telling (kindly, of course). Honesty creates space for change, connection, and real leadership to emerge.

Leading yourself doesn’t mean having it all together all the time. It means showing up with awareness, intention, and a willingness to do the work — even when it’s hard.

When you lead yourself well, life feels more aligned. There’s less friction and more flow. And from that space, you lead others with clarity, compassion, and strength.

So if you’re in a leadership role (or aspiring to one), my question to you is this:

How are you leading yourself right now?

Because the way you lead yourself sets the tone for everything — and everyone — around you.