I was caught in a trap - trying to manage the expectations of my boss while trying to grow and develop my team to be able to execute. I remember playing the victim card feeling like I wasn’t getting what I needed from my team even though I felt like I was giving them clear direction. I remember feeling exhausted, stressed, and anxious about going to work. I was short with people, and worst of all I remember that I couldn’t bring the best version of myself home to my family each and every night.

Knowing something needed to change, I started down a journey to figure out what a “good” leader looked like and how I could become one. What I learned quickly was that I was the problem. I wasn’t“Leading” my team, I was only “Managing” the work getting done, I certainly wasn’t showing up in an emotionally intelligent way, and at no point was I developing or engaging them.

It took me years to figure out the secret to success and only happened when I was willing to look inward instead of outward. I wish I had a pathway that was already designed that could have made it quicker for me to overcome my own fears and obstacles and accelerate my leadership journey.

The Difference?

I now get to do what I love most each and every day of my life - helping others succeed. Personally I’m a better leader, husband, friend and father because I was able to get out of my comfort zone and get vulnerable with myself. Now, working with others who are stuck in a rut the way I was, I get to help them get out of their comfort own comfort zone and work on the things that will truly make a difference in their lives.