#13 – Vision in Motion: Leading Through Both Inspiration and Adaptation

The leadership style that resonates most with me is transformational leadership. I naturally lean toward casting a vision, motivating people toward a common goal, and setting a strong pace. That approach aligns with my drive to achieve results and my tendency to challenge norms, which showed up clearly in my LTI results. I like to push forward, keep things moving, and get people excited about where we’re headed.

That said, I’ve also learned that transformational leadership works best when it’s paired with clear structure and strong communication. A moment that helped reinforce this was during my role as treasurer for one of the nonprofits I serve. We were planning our fourth annual convention and working with a brand-new group of committees. Early in the process, we agreed on a tiered registration schedule with periodic price increases. The goal was to drive urgency and encourage early sign-ups.

As the first price increase approached, I noticed that registrations were lower than expected. When I checked our social media and email efforts, it became clear that no one had actively promoted the upcoming increase. It was a classic case of misalignment on ownership. We didn’t have time to dwell on the misstep, so I rallied all committees and called for an all-hands effort to promote the deadline.

I set a bold goal of reaching at least 100 registrations before the price increase hit. Not everyone agreed. Some team members felt it was unfair to push so close to the holidays, especially since many people had just spent money on Christmas. I understood the concern, but I clarified that this wasn’t about forcing people to pay who couldn’t. This was about activating those who could. The goal was to raise capital so we could start planning early and effectively.

With enough buy-in, we moved forward. The result? We exceeded our 100-registration target.

Looking back, I led with a transformational mindset, but it was my ability to shift gears and tap into situational leadership that made the difference. I had to assess where the team was in that moment, clarify direction, and respond to their concerns with empathy and urgency. The blend of staying rooted in vision while adjusting how I engage helped me be more effective and responsive.

Moving forward, I want to be more intentional about this balance. Leading with vision matters but so does listening deeply and adapting in real time. That’s where real influence lives.