Voice of Leadership

How often have you spoken with someone, instantly realizing they truly know their stuff? Or been in a room with someone whose life experience compels you to listen? These are different voices of leadership that naturally draw our attention.

When you're running your company, perhaps with a small executive team, a few managers, and rough departmental outlines, you're well on your way to building the well-oiled machine of capitalism. Your "voice"—everything that comprises it, from tone to directness to word choice—keeps the business on track, serving as bumpers in the fast-paced game of company growth.

Too often, leaders get lost in their views, spinning their wheels and causing inaction. Focus too much on "process," and suddenly, there's no process. Spend too much time debating "what’s next," and nothing gets done. It’s your voice that guides the business forward.

Yes, you can be timid. Yes, you can make mistakes. Yes, you might alienate people. But the real question is: what happens if you don’t achieve the next milestone? Will you regret not speaking up sooner?

Leadership isn’t a straight line. It’s shaped by countless lessons, experiences, and decisions. At some point, the opportunities in front of you make the path clear. That’s when you must step up, own your voice, and push the entire operation forward. Your steadiness and conviction will be the make-or-break factor for some of your team members.

In the end, leadership is about leading. And more often than not, that means being misunderstood or standing firm against consensus. How you handle those moments will define the leader you become.

Mark Michael, CEO / co-Founder DevHub.com