When Leadership Styles Clash

For me, leadership has never been about chasing titles orchecking boxes—it’s about investing my heart into the success of my team andorganization. After 26 years of leading in retail, one thing I know for sure isthis: when your heart is in it, the work feels bigger than the role.But here’s the reality—leaders around us don’t all approachthe job the same way. Some lead with deep, heart-focused commitment to theirpeople, while others lean more self-focused, looking out for recognition,comfort, or career climbing. Early in my career, this used to frustrate me. I’dfind myself asking: Why am I pouring so much into my team when others aren’tdoing the same?Over time, I learned something freeing: youcan’t control how others lead, but you can always control how you showup. True leadership is defined by consistency, integrity, and the standard youset for yourself—even when the playing field feels uneven