Feeling Like A Bad Leader? You’re Just Leading From Your Own Altitude
Lately, I’ve been talking with business owners who are feeling a little unsure.
They’re amazing at what they do, but in a world full of uncertainty, they’re looking at other leaders and wondering: “Am I doing this leadership thing wrong?”
Not because they’re insecure.
Not because they don’t have what it takes.
Leadership can be heavy. Every leader questions themselves from time to time, and in that moment they look around for the “right” way to lead.
But here’s the truth: There’s no single definition of a “how to lead”.
Lead from Your Altitude
Every leader has a natural level where they operate best—a leadership altitude. This often connects directly to your “Working Genius” – the kind of work that truly energizes you.
Think of it like this:
- 🛫 40,000 feet – The Visionary: You’re the “What if…?” thinker, energized by new ideas and possibilities.
- ✈️ 20,000 feet – The Activator: You’re the gut-checker, moving good ideas forward and inspiring people to get on board.
- 🛬 5,000 feet – The Executor: You’re the get-it-done leader, thriving on action and delivering results.
The key is this: You don’t have to lead from every single level. You just need to understand where you shine—and build the right support around you.
Leadership in Action: 3 Altitudes, 3 Stories
Let’s look at how this plays out in real businesses:
🛫 40,000 Feet: The Visionary Leader (Wonder + Invention)
Meet Julia, owner of a growing architecture firm. She’s a “what if…?” thinker, brimming with more ideas than her team can implement. But when it comes to project timelines or hiring systems, she feels lost.
- How she succeeds: Julia brought on a Managing Director who filters her ideas, scopes them, and turns the strongest ones into clear initiatives. This frees Julia to focus on designing the future.
✈️ 20,000 Feet: The Activator Leader (Discernment + Galvanizing)
Meet Andre, CEO of a thriving wealth management firm. He has a strong instinct for what clients need and can quickly determine which opportunities are worth pursuing. He’s a natural energizer—his team says things “click into gear” when he’s excited. But once the direction is clear, Andre loses steam managing the day-to-day.
- How he succeeds: Andre partnered with a COO who builds the systems that make executing the best ideas easy. He also empowers his team leads to own their roles, allowing him to stay focused on strategy and relationships.
🛬 5,000 Feet: The Executor Leader (Enablement + Tenacity)
Meet Carla, owner of a regional manufacturing company. She’s practical, focused, and excels at getting things done. Her team trusts her to deliver—no drama, just results. But being in the trenches makes it hard for her to stay connected to long-term goals.
- How she succeeds: Carla meets quarterly with a business coach to zoom out and reflect. She also hired a sales director to help grow the business while she keeps operations running efficiently.
“Good” leadership is about your values.
At the end of the day, “good leadership” isn’t about altitude.
While your altitude defines how you lead, true leadership is grounded in timeless values:
✅ Service: A commitment to making others better—your team, clients, or community.
✅ Humility: Not pretending to know it all. Asking for help, learning from mistakes, and inviting other perspectives.
✅ Trust: Empowering others to take ownership and lead in their own roles.
✅ Authenticity: Leading in a way that aligns with who you are—not who you think you should be.
These are the things worth striving for.
Your Turn: What’s Your Altitude?
Ask yourself:
- What altitude do I naturally lead from?
- Where do I feel most energized in my role—and where do I tend to get stuck?
- Who could I bring in to help me lead with more clarity, ease, and confidence?
You don’t need to look like anyone else. You just need to understand where you lead best—and build the support around you to stay there.
🛬 No turbulence, just truth,
Laurie
