Leading Through the Hard: What Defines a Real Leader

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As we embark on year three , I invite you to lean in , to listen deeply and to let these stories resonate with your soul . I believe that a rising tide raises all ships and I invite you along in this journey to evoke greatness .

Welcome back to another episode of Evoke Greatness , where we don't do mediocre . We're here for the bold , the curious , those who lead with fire and grit and absolutely refuse to settle . Today we're diving into something real and raw leading through the hard , not if the hard time comes , because , let's be honest , they will but how you show up in them .

That is what separates leaders from title holders . Whether you're leading a team or a company , or even just yourself , the way you navigate adversity has a lasting impact . So let's talk about it the mindset , the mistakes , the magic . Let's pull back the curtain on what it really takes to lead when things get messy . Here's the truth .

Fear is contagious , but so is calm . As leaders , what we project in difficult times becomes the emotional temperature of the entire room .

I was watching a reality show over the weekend , and it's a behind the scenes with a yachting crew and one of the team members got unexpectedly called up to fill a position that ranks above where he normally is For example's sake , we're just going to call him Brad I don't remember his name , but we'll call him Brad and he excitedly

agreed to step into this role . And underneath it all , he was really , really nervous . Now the rest of the crew was shorthanded and everyone was just making it work . They were giving 110% , but several crew members commented throughout the episode how Brad was so calm and cool .

He never exhibited a nervous energy , he didn't appear uncertain , and that helped them to just keep trucking along . Now ask Brad yeah , he was really nervous , but he kept putting one foot in front of the next and assessing what needed to be done and he just did it . He did it scared .

He did it , probably lacking some confidence , and he knew that what he showed outwardly could impact the rest of the crew . So he just kept strong and steady , and neuroscience backs this up . Our team subconsciously looked to us for cues on how to interpret the chaos . So if we spiral , they spiral .

If we steady the ship , they grab an oar , they get to rowing . But let's not confuse calm with fake positivity . I'm not saying pretend everything's fine when it's not . I think that's inauthentic and people can sniff that out .

What I am saying is get rooted , pause long enough to separate the facts from your fears , Because when you're in fight or flight mode , your brain is scanning for danger . It goes back to the caveman days , when you're waiting to see if a lion is going to jump out of the bush to eat you .

And so engaging and thinking in this way , the way that your brain is scanning , if you're not careful , you're going to lead from a place of protection instead of purpose and you'll start managing to avoid pain instead of driving toward vision . And guess what ? Your team ? They're going to feel it .

Fear , whispers things like you can't trust anybody , you're going to fail . Play it safe , don't rock the boat . We've all had these stories go on in our mind and that fear then becomes projection and if you don't check in at the door , it's going to leak out in your tone and your decisions and your leadership presence .

Now , once the dust starts to settle , it's time to get really honest . What actually happened ? Not the story your ego wants to tell , not the drama or the narrative that fear created , but the truth , what actually happened . This is where radical responsibility comes in . So ask yourself , sit back and assess where was the breakdown ? What was my part in this ?

What did I miss or ignore or underestimate ? I have an everything is my fault mentality . As the CEO , regardless of what happens in the company , I have ownership in it , and so sometimes the truth stings . But that sting ,

that is the beginning of your growth , because clarity leads to action , and action is how we proceed forward . Now ask what needs to be true for this to not happen again . What needs to be true for this to not happen again ? Maybe it's a hard conversation , maybe it's more accountability , maybe it's slowing down before making decisions .

Maybe it's the wrong person in the wrong role . Maybe it's giving your team more ownership or learning to actually trust them with it . There's a powerful pattern at play here , and that is you've got the hard thing .

That can lead to self-reflection , which can lead to a clear lesson , which leads to a stronger leader , but only if you're willing to do the work and I know you are , because mediocre people don't listen to a little greatness . Here's where it gets good , though . When you lead through difficulty with grace , honesty and intention .

It does more than just solve a problem . It shapes culture . You're showing your team what real leadership looks like . You're creating psychological safety , a space where they know it's okay to stumble , it's okay to own mistakes , it's okay to grow , and that builds trust . And you're also modeling resilience Not the grinded out kind , but the kind that pauses and learns

and adapts . And people do not forget that you become the kind of leader they follow , not because they have to , but because they actually want to , but because they actually want to , because you show up in the fire and you don't run , you lean in , you learn and you lead . And the best part , these moments stretch here too .

They build your emotional intelligence , they deepen your empathy , they sharpen your decision-making and they chisel away at the fluff to forge something . Real Leadership is not about avoiding hard times . It's about becoming the kind of person who knows how to move through them and brings others with you . So I'm going to leave you with this .

The hard seasons will come . That's not failure , that's life . But you , friend , you are a leader . Don't waste the lessons . Don't waste the lessons . Don't project the fear . Do the work , own your part and find the root , build from it , because when you lead well through the hard , you don't just survive it , you actually shape it .

You become the thermostat instead of the thermometer . And on the other side that challenge , a more impactful , more empowering and more unstoppable version of you awaits . And don't you forget that hard times do not define you how you rise through them .

Does so , rise with courage , lead with heart and never stop becoming the kind of leader that the world desperately needs . I don't know who , but somebody needed to hear this today . Somebody listening is absolutely in the thick of it , and so I hope this landed just as you needed

it to . If you know somebody going through the heart right now , please share this episode with them . I wish you all an amazing rest of your week . Thank you so much for listening and for being here on this journey with me . I hope you'll stick around If you liked this episode .

It would mean the world for me if you would rate and review the podcast or share it with someone you know . Many need to hear this message . I love to hear from you all and want you to know that you can leave me a voicemail directly .

If you go to my website , evokegreatnesscom , and go to the contact me tab , you'll just hit the big old orange button , button and record your message . I love the feedback and comments that I've been getting , so please keep them coming .

I'll leave you with the wise words of author Robin Sharma Greatness comes by doing a few small and smart things each and every day . It comes from taking little steps consistently .

It comes from making a few small chips against everything in your professional and personal life that is ordinary , so that a day eventually arrives when all that's left is the extraordinary .