I Never Thought of Myself as a Leader

I wasn’t the CEO of a big company.
I didn’t have an official title.
No one handed me a badge or gave me a corner office.

So even though I was running a business…
Even though people were coming to me for advice, direction, and support…
Even though I was showing up every day for my clients and team—

I still believed I was just “figuring it out.”

To me, real leaders were the ones with the title. The ones in charge. The ones who seemed to have it all together and always knew what to say.

That wasn’t how I saw myself.

Until one day, someone on my team said,
“You’re one of the strongest leaders I’ve ever worked with.”

I paused.
Me? A leader?

That comment stopped me in my tracks. It challenged everything I believed about what leadership looked like—and made me realize I’d been leading all along… just without giving myself credit.

Leadership isn’t about titles.
It’s about influence.
It’s about showing up with courage, clarity, and care—even when you’re not 100% sure of the path.

That moment challenged everything I believed about leadership—and pushed me to take a closer look.

Leadership Isn’t Just for the “Naturals”

Let’s be honest. Leadership isn’t about having a title or being the loudest voice in the room. It’s not about perfection.

It’s about how you show up. How you communicate, connect, and guide others—even when you’re not feeling 100% confident.

So let me ask you:
Are you leading with clarity and confidence…
or are you just surviving the day-to-day and hoping no one notices you're making it up as you go?

Try This Quick Leadership Check-In

If you’ve ever questioned your leadership (like I did), this simple self-reflection exercise can help. Think of it as a personal leadership pulse check.

Step 1: Think of a Leader You Admire

Pick someone you respect—a mentor, a boss, or even someone well-known.

Step 2: List Their Strongest Traits

What makes them stand out? Are they a confident communicator? A strong decision-maker? Do they excel at building trust or effective delegation?

Write down the top three to four qualities that make them admirable.

Step 3: Name Your Strength

Circle the one trait you already bring to the table. You might not have noticed it before, but it's there.

Step 4: Name Your Growth Area

Now underline the one that feels most challenging. This is where your opportunity for growth lives.

Why This Matters

This quick exercise helps you get honest about how you're really showing up as a leader—what’s working and what’s holding you back.

And here’s the truth: Awareness is where great leadership begins.

You don’t have to be “born” a leader. You just have to be willing to grow into one.

Want to Go Deeper? Take the Free Leadership Self-Assessment

If you're ready for a clearer, more complete picture of your leadership style, I created a free leadership self-assessment just for you.

You'll discover:

• Where you're currently excelling

• Where you're holding back or playing small

• Practical steps to strengthen your leadership presence

Take the free assessment here:
stacyspeaks.com/leadership-assessment

Let’s Talk: What Leadership Trait Are You Working On?

I’d love to hear from you.
Is it effective delegation? Becoming a stronger decision-maker? Or maybe showing up as a more confident communicator?

Use the form below to send me a message about what you’re working on. We grow faster when we grow together.

Let’s Stay Connected

Ready to embrace your next chapter? Let’s inspire each other:

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leadership self-assessment, confident communicator, strong decision-maker, building trust, effective delegation