Settle down and lead them

Let’s be honest—there’s a lot of noise out there about what makes a “great” leader. Books, posts, TED Talks… most of them say the same things with shinier buzzwords.

But here’s what I’ve learned:

Being a valuable leader isn’t about having all the answers.

It’s about how you show up, how you listen, and whether you actually follow through when nobody’s watching.

Start by Talking to People

This one sounds basic, but you’d be surprised how many leaders talk around people instead of to them.

If something’s off, go have the conversation. Don’t delegate it. Don’t dance around it. Just talk to them.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb (a favorite of Simon Sinek)

Simon Sinek tells a story about a Marine Corps tradition: junior Marines eat first. Leaders eat last. Why? Because leadership is about serving your team, not commanding them. Talking to your people—actually sitting with them—sends the same message. I’ve got your back. Let’s figure it out.

Check the Info—Then Check It Again

We’re all moving fast. Everyone’s got ten things to do. But when you’re leading a team, getting the right info is more important than getting it fast.

If something doesn’t feel right, ask more questions. Don’t assume. Don’t fake it. Go back and dig in.

Dan Martell says he reviews his calendar every Sunday and cross-references it with his goals. It sounds obsessive until you realize: what gets reviewed gets improved. That mindset applies to leadership, too. If you trust but never verify, you’re not leading—you’re just hoping.

“You can’t scale chaos.” – Dan Martell

Your people are watching how you handle that moment. When they see that you double-check the details, they’ll start doing the same. It raises the bar for everyone.

Show Up Consistently

This is the least flashy and most important part.

Valuable leaders don’t need to be in the spotlight. They just need to be reliable. If you say you’ll follow up, do it. If someone needs your time, give it. If something falls through the cracks, own it.

“Discipline equals freedom.” – Jocko Willink

Jocko’s big on discipline, not because it sounds tough—but because it builds trust. When your team knows you’re going to show up, follow up, and keep your word, they stop worrying about the ground shifting under them. That creates real freedom—for them and for you.

It’s Not About Being Right. It’s About Being Real.

You’re going to get things wrong. We all do. But the best leaders I’ve worked with aren’t obsessed with being right—they’re focused on getting it right, even if it means backtracking or changing course.

Brené Brown talks a lot about vulnerability and courage in leadership. She tells this story about a CEO who openly admitted during an all-hands that he’d made the wrong call. His team didn’t lose respect—they gained more. They saw a real human being who cared more about the mission than his ego.

“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.” – Brené Brown

That kind of honesty earns more respect than any polished speech ever will.

Final Thought

So no, leadership isn’t about the corner office or the title. It’s not about perfection.

It’s about doing the work—the unsexy, behind-the-scenes work—that helps your team trust you, follow you, and feel safe bringing their best.

Talk to your people.

Check the facts.

Check them again.

Lead like it matters—because it does.