The Path That Found Me: How I Got Into Leadership

People often ask, "How did you get into leadership?" The truth is, in the midst of chasing a title, I found a calling.

I actually chased titles for most of my career. I wanted to be a university president, and I worked hard to position myself for that path. But along the way, I was derailed in the best way by my calling to support leaders. Leaving that trajectory wasn’t easy, especially when I was getting close. But I realized that joy in the work matters more than the title alone.

Just because you're good at something or capable of doing it doesn’t mean it’s your purpose. For me, purpose lives in those ah-ha moments when people see themselves clearly, grow in their self-awareness, and step into their leadership more fully. That lights me up. That’s the work I’m meant to do.

And funny enough, stepping into my purpose still brought me a title I’m proud of: CEO and Principal Consultant of Design Ideal Consulting. I didn’t lose anything. I gained everything that actually matters.

What has your path to leadership looked like? I’d love to hear your story or help you discover the next step in your own journey.