The Leadership Puzzle: Finding Your Perfect Piece

Ever feel like you’re playing leadership roulette? One day, you’re the visionary, and the next, you’re barking orders like a drill sergeant. Well, don’t sweat it. You’re not alone in this leadership identity crisis.

Here’s the question. What kind of leader are you? Better yet, what kind of leader do you want to be?

In my years of climbing the corporate ladder and now as a consultant, I’ve seen more leadership styles than there are flavors at an ice cream shop. And let me tell you, understanding these styles is like finding the secret sauce to unlocking your inner boss mode.

First up, we’ve got the chess masters, you know, the strategic leaders. These folks are always ten moves ahead, plotting and planning as their lives depend on it. They’re building empires in their minds before the first brick is even laid. If you’re constantly mapping out the future, congratulations—you might be a strategic leader in the making.

Then there are the dreamers. The visionary leaders. These are the ones who look at a blank canvas and see a masterpiece. They’ve got their heads in the clouds but in a good way. They’re the ones who make you believe you can fly, even if you’re afraid of heights. Sound familiar? You might have a bit of a visionary in you.

Now, let’s talk about the conductors. These leaders are all about harmony. They surround themselves with a brain trust and aren’t afraid to say, “Hey, team, what’s the game plan?” They’re the ones who ensure everyone plays their part in the symphony of success.

But here’s where it gets real. Let me tell you about Joe, a client of mine. Picture a guy who walks into a room; suddenly, everyone’s sitting straighter. He’s got that kind of energy that makes you think he eats confidence for breakfast. Joe’s the type to come into a room and lay down the law; everyone falls in line.

Well, guess what? There was a time when I challenged one of Joe’s ideas. You could’ve heard a pin drop. The looks on his team’s faces? Priceless. It was like watching a record scratch in real life.

That moment was a real eye-opener. It made me think back to my early days of leadership. Was I a Joe? Were my team members secretly drawing straws to see who had to disagree with me?

These days, I’m all about that servant leadership life. It’s less “bow down to me” and more “how can I help you shine?” I walk into every business, asking, “What can I do to make you a rock star leader?” It’s like being a gardener, but you’re growing awesome people instead of plants.

So, here’s the million-dollar question: What’s your leadership flavor? Are you a chess master, a dreamer, a conductor, or are you serving up success?

There’s no one-size-fits-all in leadership. The key is to stay flexible, keep learning, and always be ready to switch up your game. It’s like being a leadership chameleon, adapting to whatever your team and situation needs.

Remember, the best leaders aren’t stuck in one style. They’re constantly evolving, continually growing. So, take a good look in the leadership mirror. What do you see? Do you want to make some changes? Even better!

Your leadership journey is just that,  a journey. So buckle up, enjoy the ride, and don’t be afraid to take the wheel and steer in a new direction. After all, the best leaders aren’t born; they’re made one decision at a time.

The Future Is Now

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Jesus (Jes) Vargas is the Principal at DPMG Corp in Sacramento, CA. He and his team consult, coach, and mentor business leaders in strategic planning, leadership development, and project management.

They’re ready to help clients plan a new product or fine-tune an existing marketing strategy.