Leadership Hack: Learn to Lead Yourself First

Early in my leadership journey, long before I ever led at an organizational level, I didn’t realize I was already applying what I now call a leadership hack.

I always give credit to God for my ability to lead. The principles and truths I’ve applied come from Him, and within those principles are results tied directly to our actions. Scripture is clear. When we act in alignment with God’s truth, fruit follows. Not always immediately, but consistently.

Before I ever led teams, departments, or organizations, I was learning how to lead myself. That process is still a daily endeavor. It was not always this way.

For much of my life, I struggled deeply with self leadership. I hesitated to act because I feared the outcome. I lacked faith in myself and, at times, even in God. Decisions felt paralyzing because I could not see the end result.

Everything began to change when I committed to one small discipline: running. Then later, the gym.

That single decision transformed my life, personally first and years later, professionally.

When You Can’t Lead Yourself, You Can’t Lead Others

In my teens and into my twenties, I would have easily fallen into the category of someone highly influenced by those around them. To some degree, we all are. We become the average of the five people we spend the most time with. Biology even confirms this through mirror neurons. Our chemistry adapts to our environment for survival.

I was on the extreme end of that spectrum.

Highly agreeable. Rarely resisting the current. Doing what those around me were doing.

That pattern followed me into my late twenties, when I found myself out of shape, unhealthy, unhappy, unfulfilled, and slowly picking up habits like alcohol that did not align with the life I envisioned. I looked at the image I had for my future and realized I was failing it.

The truth is simple. I had no ability to lead myself.

And when you cannot lead yourself, you will not effectively lead others, whether that is your family, your team, or your organization.

I wanted comfort. I wanted to fit in. I avoided resistance because I feared standing against the grain.

Drift Is the Real Enemy

One of the greatest weaknesses of the adversary is definiteness of purpose.

At that point in my life, I had none.

Without a clear purpose, I drifted toward unhealthy habits, short term comfort, and distraction. The adversary does not need to destroy you outright. Distraction is enough. Over time, drifting quietly erodes discipline, vision, and character.

I have learned this the hard way. Extended periods of comfort have always pulled me closer to who I do not want to be.

That is why today, when I accomplish a goal, I set another one almost immediately. Not because achievement is never enough, but because purpose anchors me. Too long without it, and I begin to drift backward.

That said, celebration matters. Many people never allow themselves to enjoy progress. I have had to learn to give myself grace, especially in family milestones. Purpose and gratitude must coexist.

Discipline Builds Identity

Running came first. It was natural for my body type, and I set a clear purpose to get healthy and lose weight. Over three years, running roughly two thousand to three thousand miles annually, I did exactly that.

Then came the gym.

For as long as I could remember, I believed I was not built to lift weights. I do not know where that belief came from, but it was deeply embedded. So I challenged it with intention.

Through discipline over the last two years, I have gained significant muscle and am more physically fit at thirty five than I have ever been in my life.

There were plenty of days when I did not feel like showing up. That is when resistance was loudest. Purpose, discipline, proper rest, nutrition, and consistency carried me through.

Self Leadership Is the Foundation of All Leadership

At the time, I did not realize I was practicing self leadership.

Looking back, it is clear. I was leading myself out of beliefs and behaviors that no longer served the future version of me and into a healthier, more impactful life for my family and community.

I can say this with complete confidence. Without self leadership, I could not have led at an organizational level the way I have over the past year.

I am far from perfect. But my aim in this season has been to build a culture rooted in inspiration, creative thinking, and genuine care, grounded in God’s truth. The feedback I have received tells me I am on the right path.

Here is the hard truth. Leading others before you have learned to lead yourself does them a disservice.

People are always watching their leaders for direction, standards, and permission. If you allow drift, distraction, or inconsistency in your own life, you will unintentionally give others permission to do the same.

How you do anything is how you do everything.

Lead the One Who Knows You Best

Life is about people. The better you lead people, the more fulfillment you will experience. And the best place to practice leadership is with the person who knows you best. You.

If you can convince yourself to follow you with discipline, integrity, and purpose, others will follow too.

God has a definite plan for your life. That plan will require you to lead yourself well, because along the journey there will always be voices encouraging you to take it easy or do what everyone else is doing.

You can choose comfort, but comfort ends in regret.

Or you can step up, lead yourself first, and step into great leadership today.