For 25 years, I wore my ability to be the "reliable fixer" in IT operations like a badge of honor.
But looking successful on paper is a dangerous place to be when you’re "drifting" on the inside.
The hard truth I had to face was that I was focusing on ownership when I was called to stewardship.
My value isn't found in my role or my output—it’s found in my calling to develop others.
Leadership that is purely "positional" is fragile because it depends on the title on your door or the size of your budget.
"Identity-based" leadership is unshakeable because it's built on who you are becoming through what you’ve overcome.
To keep from falling back into the trap of meaningless busyness, I’ve adopted three non-negotiable boundaries for 2026:
Reflection before reaction: Taking consistent time to pray and realign before the day pulls at me.
People over process: Prioritizing the development of others over simply managing tasks.
Margin over busyness: Learning to say "no" to misaligned demands so I can protect my rest and my faith.
When we lead from alignment rather than ego, that "pressure" we all feel finally turns into power.
My single word for 2026 is Alignment.
I attempt to start every morning by asking one question: "Lord, what actually matters today?"
So how about you?
Do you agree that leading from identity is more powerful than leading from a title?
#IntentionalLeadership #PersonalGrowth #IdentityLeadership #Alignment2026 #LeadershipCoaching