Jill's Reflections: Rewriting Your Leadership Story

Rewriting Your Leadership Story: Why Intentional Leadership Changes Everything

A reflection from Jill Stuber, Catalyst Food Leaders

We all start building our leadership story long before we realize we’re writing one.

We absorb what we see — how our bosses handle pressure, how meetings run, how feedback lands, how people get promoted (or don’t). Somewhere along the way, those experiences start shaping how we lead — often without us even noticing.

For a long time, that’s exactly how I led too. I built my leadership based on what I’d seen work, or at least what seemed to work, for others.

But here’s the thing: leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all.

When we don’t stop to define what leadership means for us, we end up leading from someone else’s story. And eventually, that starts to feel misaligned, like we’re wearing someone else’s jacket that just doesn’t fit right anymore.

The moment you choose to be intentional

Intentional leadership starts when you pause long enough to ask:

“What story am I telling through the way I lead?”

It’s about noticing what’s working, what’s not, and what you actually want to carry forward. It’s the moment you realize leadership isn’t something you inherit — it’s something you craft.

And when you get intentional about it, everything changes.
Your energy.
Your clarity.
Your impact.

As leadership author John Maxwell puts it:

“You can’t lead others until you can lead yourself.”

That’s what intentional leadership is all about — starting with yourself.

The business case for being intentional

If you ever need a reason beyond “it feels right,” consider this:
A 2024 LinkedIn Learning report found that 82% of employees said they’d stay longer at a company if their manager showed genuine interest in their development.

That number stops me in my tracks every time because it shows how personal growth isn’t just about the leader, it’s about everyone around them.

When leaders get intentional about how they show up, they create environments where people feel seen, valued, and supported.
That’s when teams thrive.
That’s when business results start to accelerate.

Ready to rewrite your story?

If you’re ready to step back and realign your leadership, Reset Week is your space to do just that. It’s a guided experience to help you refocus your energy, clarify your direction, and lead with intention.

And if you’re ready to take that next step — whether that’s joining Reset Week, enrolling in a Catalyst program, or making the case for your own development — start here:

📘 Download our free tool: Make the Case for Your Development

Because when you learn how to rewrite your leadership story, you don’t just grow as a leader — you help rewrite the story of what leadership looks like in your organization.

#IntentionalLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #AuthenticLeadership #CatalystLeaders #GrowthMindset

Source: LinkedIn Learning, 2024 Workplace Learning Report