Leadership is not a role you play, it’s a calling you answer. It’s not something you’re handed with a title or a position; it’s something you carry within you. I believe that each of us is born with the capacity to lead in our own unique way.
The challenge is not whether we can lead, but whether we will give ourselves permission to lead as our full, authentic selves. Too often, leadership is boxed into outdated ideas: authority over others, hierarchy, and power through control. But real leadership, the kind that transforms lives, is about service, purpose, and alignment. It’s about influence, not intimidation. It’s about impact, not image.
As a Black woman in business, I know what it means to be overlooked, to be questioned, and to be underestimated. But I also know that my identity is not a liability, it’s a source of my strength.
When we lead from a place of wholeness, we give others permission to do the same. Your story, your background, your culture, these are not things to tone down. They are the very things that give your leadership power. To lead like you were born to, you must first accept every part of yourself: your culture, your voice, your values. True leadership begins with radical self-acceptance. You can’t lead anyone else until you can lead yourself, with courage, compassion, and clarity.
Many of us have been conditioned to believe we have to “perform” leadership. Smile even when you’re breaking. Stay silent even when your spirit says speak. Fit in to survive. But the truth is, authentic leadership doesn’t require a mask. It demands truth. The world doesn’t need more perfect leaders. It needs present ones. Leaders who show up fully. Leaders who can admit mistakes, learn in real-time, and still move forward with conviction. The ones who create room for others to grow.
If you’re waiting until you feel “ready,” you may wait forever. Readiness is not a prerequisite, willingness is. Willingness to show up, learn, and lead from where you are, with what you have, trusting that what you’ve been through has equipped you more than you know.
When I started my entrepreneurial journey, I didn’t have all the answers. I had a vision, I had passion, and I had grit. But I also had doubts. I questioned whether people would take me seriously. I wondered if I was doing enough or if I was simply dreaming too big. Over the years, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about showing up consistently. It’s about honouring your calling even when no one’s clapping yet. It’s about making decisions rooted in values, not just vanity.
There were moments I had to take risks that scared me, speak in rooms that didn’t feel welcoming, and create spaces when none were made for me. But each time, I leaned into the truth that I was born to lead, not to fit in, but to stand out and shift the room. And let me tell you this: the moment you embrace your voice, your purpose, and your truth, you become unstoppable.
One of the principles I teach as a holistic business coach is that you are not just a leader at work, you are a leader in your life. You lead how you parent, how you serve your community, how you treat your body, and how you speak to yourself in the mirror. Leadership is not compartmentalized. When your inner world is aligned, your outer leadership becomes more impactful.
That’s why wellness, spirituality, and emotional intelligence are not “extras”, they are essentials. If you’re leading others but not taking care of yourself, eventually you will burn out or break down.
To lead like you were born to, you must lead from overflow, not depletion. Make room for rest, reflection, and restoration. Heal what hurts so you don’t bleed on those you’re leading. And remember: your well-being is not a reward for hard work, it’s a requirement for sustainable success.
This season is asking more from all of us. We are navigating global uncertainty, economic shifts, cultural tensions, and through it all, we are being called to lead differently. To lead with empathy, with humanity, with justice, with vision. This is not the time to play small or shrink in the face of resistance. This is the time to rise boldly. To say yes to your calling. To walk into rooms you once thought were too big. And to build new rooms where others feel seen and safe.
If you’re reading this and you’ve been hiding parts of yourself to succeed, this is your reminder that you were never meant to fit in. You were born to lead. Not like anyone else. Not the way “they” said it had to be done. But in your own powerful, purposeful, and unapologetic way.
Here are five intentional practices to help you realign with your leadership identity and purpose:
- Define Your Leadership Values
Ask yourself: What do I stand for? What values guide my decisions and actions? Let your values, not trends or titles be your compass. - Tell Your Story
Share your journey, your wins, and your lessons. People don’t follow perfection; they follow authenticity. Your story holds power. Use it to inspire. - Create Space for Reflection
Schedule regular time for silence and self-check-ins. Journaling, meditation, or prayer can help you stay grounded and clear in your leadership. - Surround Yourself with Aligned People
Build a circle of mentors, peers, and supporters who reflect the values you hold. Community is essential. Iron sharpens iron. - Take Aligned Action
Don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Take the next right step. Even small moves in the direction of your purpose build momentum.
Whether you’re leading a business, a team, a family, or a movement, lead like you were born to. Because you were. You are the dream of your ancestors. The hope of your community. The answer to someone’s prayer. Don’t dim your light now.
The world is waiting on you.
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