A few years ago, I found myself annoyed.
We had just rolled out a new initiative in my company.
Deadlines were slipping.
Quality was fading.
Everything just felt… off.
I remember thinking, The team is just not stepping up.
So I called a meeting. Ready to bring a little fire, a little accountability, some tough love to get them back on track.
But less than five minutes in, the room turned the mirror.
They didn’t argue.
They brought data.
They spoke the truth.
The process wasn’t broken. It was unclear.
I had prescribed a fix for a problem I didn’t fully understand.
I was too far from the mess to solve it.
And the mixed messages?
Most of them started with me, trying to straddle fences.
The worst part?
I let my arrogance convince me I was above the chaos I created.
I blamed the team, but I hadn’t led them.
I expected clarity but never provided it.
I demanded alignment but spoke in riddles.
And in that moment, I realized something simple but hard to admit:
Sometimes the problem… is me.
Not the team.
Not the tools.
Not the timeline.
Me.
When I get better, things around me usually do too.
When I make my message clear, the team becomes united.
Leadership starts with ownership.
Not of others, but of ourselves.
So today, if something feels broken,
Before pointing fingers,
Pick up the mirror.
You might find the problem is closer than you thought.
If this encouraged you, would you share it with one friend who might need it too?
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You just cut off 9 of my toes. 🧐