The Inner Work of Leadership Pt. 1: The Problem with "Manager-First" Leadership

You have built your business with a combination of strategy, vision, and action. You've climbed the professional ladder and assisted teams to hit their targets. You're a great manager. But are you a great leader?

The truth is, management is about what you do, leadership is about who you are. The most profound and lasting impact you will ever have isn't from the strategic plan you draft, but from the person you become. The journey from management to legacy begins with the inner work of leadership.

We are taught to operate as managers through tasks such as setting goals, tracking metrics, delegating tasks, and holding people accountable. These skills are essential, but they're not enough. The “manager-first” approach creates a frail form of success—one that is dependent on constant external input and often leads to a lack of true fulfillment and burnout.

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It's almost like building a house. A manager is excellent at drawing up the blueprints and ensuring the materials are delivered on time. A leader, however, understands the soil the house will be built on. They know the foundation, the climate, and the purpose of the structure. Without this deeper understanding, the most beautiful house can crumble under pressure.

This is where my work as a coach comes in. Leveraging my background in clinical mental health and my doctoral work in leadership studies, I help leaders dig into the “soil” of who they are. We don't just work on business strategy; we work on the person implementing the strategy.