I’m a big believer in alignment. As leaders, our actions should align with our values, purpose, and what matters most to us. Without alignment, we risk spreading ourselves too thin, pursuing the wrong priorities, and investing time and energy in things that don’t move us toward where we want to go.
But here’s the challenge: You can’t align with what you don’t know. Awareness starts with paying attention. Are your daily decisions aligned with your values? Do your priorities reflect your purpose? Are the relationships you invest in helping you become the leader you want to be? Sometimes, stepping back and asking these questions can reveal where things are out of alignment.
Awareness also comes from paying attention to how others respond to us. As leaders, we need to learn to read the room, listen carefully, and recognize what our words and actions communicate. Our intentions may be good, but our impact on others may tell a different story.
That’s why feedback matters. Listening to no one is dangerous, but listening to everyone can be just as dangerous. The key is knowing whose voices deserve your attention. For me, that includes my family, trusted advisors, board members, and key people on my team. These are people who know me, care about my growth, and are willing to help me see what I might miss. They can often recognize my blind spots before I do.
Leadership requires enough humility to ask questions, listen to honest feedback, and adjust when necessary. Awareness isn’t about second-guessing every decision. It’s about seeing clearly enough to make better ones.
Remember: awareness precedes alignment. Before you can determine whether you’re on the right path, you have to understand where you are, what’s guiding you, and what may need to change. As a leader, when was the last time you stepped back and asked yourself: Are my actions aligned with my values, my purpose, and the leader I want to be?
