How My Personal Journey Shaped My Approach to Leadership

Leadership isn’t just about titles or authority—it’s about connection, empathy, and authenticity. For me, this realisation didn’t come from textbooks or corporate training; it came from my personal journey. The challenges I faced growing up, from navigating ADHD to overcoming childhood trauma, shaped the way I lead and communicate today. They taught me that the most impactful leaders aren’t perfect—they’re real.

In this blog, I’ll share how my experiences shaped my unique approach to leadership and how embracing vulnerability and authenticity became my greatest strengths.

The Early Years of Struggle

Growing up, leadership felt like something meant for other people. My childhood was filled with instability, and my ADHD made me feel like I didn’t fit the mould. School was a struggle, traditional communication styles left me feeling unheard, and the idea of standing out as a leader seemed impossible.

But these experiences also taught me resilience. They forced me to adapt, to find my voice in environments where I often felt invisible. What I didn’t realise at the time was that these struggles were shaping the foundation of my leadership style—one rooted in empathy and understanding.

Learning Leadership Through Adversity

Leadership lessons don’t always come from success; they often come from the hardest moments. For me, those moments included learning to navigate the workplace with undiagnosed ADHD, overcoming personal setbacks, and rebuilding after failures.

Each of these experiences taught me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening, adapting, and leading by example. I began to see that my ability to empathise with others—whether they were facing professional challenges or personal struggles—was one of the most valuable leadership skills I had.

Vulnerability as a Leadership Strength

For years, I thought vulnerability was a weakness. I believed that sharing my struggles—my ADHD, my past trauma—would make people see me as less capable. But I’ve learned that the opposite is true. Vulnerability isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a bridge to connection.

When I share my story, it opens the door for others to share theirs. It creates a space where people feel safe, understood, and empowered. As a leader, embracing vulnerability has allowed me to connect with my team and my audience on a deeper level, building trust that goes beyond surface-level interactions.

Building Trust Through Authenticity in Public Speaking

One of the most powerful ways to lead is through public speaking. But effective speaking isn’t about delivering a flawless presentation—it’s about showing up as your authentic self. In my journey as a speaker coach, I’ve found that audiences don’t connect with perfection; they connect with honesty.

By sharing my struggles, whether it’s the challenges of ADHD or the lessons I’ve learned from failure, I show my audience that they don’t have to be perfect to succeed. Authenticity builds trust, and trust is the foundation of great leadership.

Leading Through Connection, Not Perfection

My personal journey has taught me that leadership isn’t about being the best or the brightest—it’s about being real. It’s about showing up for your team and your audience, not as someone who has all the answers, but as someone who’s willing to listen, learn, and grow.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that our struggles don’t disqualify us from being leaders—they prepare us for it. By embracing vulnerability and leading with authenticity, we can create connections that inspire others to do the same.