One thing I realized quickly on my leadership journey, my leadership style is not for everyone. Fortunately, it is for someone. One common mistake leaders make is they try to be everything for everyone. They try to be nice, but not too nice; firm, but not too firm; funny, but not too funny. Most times the best leaders are presented as these well-rounded flawless individuals. But let’s be honest, how many well-rounded people do you know? Most of us are square pegs trying to fit in a round hole. We are always searching for our place and space, while trying to make an impact.

When you finally realize everyone will not “like” you, only then when you become effective. Do not spend your time trying to make yourself fit in the round hole. Instead spend your time figuring out what makes you the square. What makes you different? What makes you stand out? Where does your strength come from? See your lack of being well-rounded may actually be a benefit.

Now, I am not saying you can be so different you become ineffective. I am not saying you allow your leadership flaws to be so evident no one wants to be around you. You cannot lead without adopters. However, do not try so hard to overcompensate for your flaws you become fake or shallow. Do not allow your pretend leadership skills to get you in a position your actual leadership skills cannot get you out.

To sum it up, learn YOUR leadership style. Learn who you are! It is needed somewhere. Your leadership style should be YOU. It should be who you are when everyone is watching and when no one is watching. It should be who you are in the community, at home, and at work. Your leadership style is not a trait, but your DNA. It is the very fabric of your existence. It is not something you turn on and off. It is not something you wear or change with the seasons. It is YOU and someone is depending on YOU being YOU! Go be LOUD!