The Light Within: Unlocking the Power You Didn’t Know You Had

By Joe Glaser-General Manager | Leadership Coach | Founder of The Leadership Edge

I’ve walked through fire—seasons where I wasn’t sure if I was leading the right way… or if I was even built for this path at all. 🔥

I’ve been the one holding everything together for everyone else, quietly wondering, “Where’s the voice that’s going to pull me through?” 🤔 And in those moments—when the weight felt unbearable and the road ahead uncertain—I made a choice.

If I didn’t have a light to follow… I’d become one. 💡

You Don’t Need Permission to Rise

We live in a world obsessed with titles, accolades, and validation. But let me tell you something I’ve learned the hard way:

You don’t need permission to be powerful. 💪

You don’t need someone to tap you on the shoulder and say, “You’ve got what it takes.” Because I promise you—you already do.

Your workplace doesn’t need more people climbing ladders. It needs more people willing to lift others up. Your family doesn’t need perfection. It needs presence, love, and someone who shows up even when it’s hard. This world? It doesn’t need another polished image. It needs real leaders, real people, and real heart. ❤️

Adversity Doesn’t Break You—It Builds You

I’ve led for 26+ years in one of the most fast-paced, competitive industries in the world. I’ve seen the best of people. I’ve seen the worst of people. And I’ve seen what happens when the pressure turns up. ⏳

Here’s the truth nobody wants to say out loud:

The strongest leaders are often born in silence. 🤫 Not when everyone’s clapping. Not when the scoreboard looks great. But when you’ve got nothing left and somehow… you keep going.

Leadership isn’t forged in comfort. It’s revealed in chaos. 🌪️

And the same goes for unlocking your potential.

You don’t discover what you’re capable of by coasting. You find it in the moments when you’re stretched, challenged, and tempted to quit—but you don’t. 💥

There’s Something in You the World Needs

You have something nobody else has. 🌟

Your scars. Your setbacks. Your stories. Your energy. Your compassion. Your edge.

And maybe no one’s told you this lately, but hear me clearly:

You matter. Your voice matters. Your leadership matters. 💖

Not someday. Not when the timing’s right. Right now.

The next breakthrough in your team… The healing your family needs… The impact your community is waiting for…

It might just be locked inside you. 🔑

The Power of One

One person can change the entire culture of a room. One bold conversation can rebuild trust. One act of kindness can shift a mindset. One choice to lead, even when you feel unqualified, can set off a ripple that outlasts you. 🌊

I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it. I believe in it. 🙌

And if no one’s ever told you this—I believe in you. 🌈

Become What You Never Had

I didn’t always have mentors. I didn’t always have leaders who poured into me. And I’ve made plenty of mistakes trying to figure it out on my own. 🤷‍♂️

But instead of becoming bitter—I became better. Instead of waiting for someone to show up—I became the one who did.

And that’s the opportunity we all have.

To be the voice that lifts someone. To be the leader who listens. To be the light in someone else’s dark season. 💫

Not because we have all the answers. But because we know what it feels like to walk without them.

You Are the Answer

I want to leave you with this: it is essential to reflect on the journey you have taken and the insights you have gained along the way. Each moment shared has contributed to a deeper understanding of your collective experiences, and as you part ways, I encourage you to carry these reflections with you. Consider the lessons learned, the challenges faced, and the triumphs celebrated. These elements are not just fleeting memories; they are the building blocks of personal growth and resilience. Embrace them as you move forward, allowing them to guide your decisions and shape your future endeavors. Remember, the knowledge you have exchanged is a valuable resource, one that can empower you to navigate the complexities of life with confidence and clarity. So, as you reach the conclusion of this chapter, hold onto these thoughts and let them inspire you to pursue your goals with passion and determination.

There is a version of you this world hasn’t seen yet. A version that’s braver, more loving, more grounded, more powerful. A version that shows up—not out of ego—but out of purpose. 🌍

You don’t have to earn your worth. You don’t have to wait until you feel ready.

You just have to rise. 🚀

Your team needs it.

Your community needs it.

Your friends need it.

Your family needs it.

You need it. 💖

And I’m not here to be a distant voice on a podcast. I’m here to remind you that greatness isn’t reserved for the few. It’s available to the willing.

So today, choose to believe in your potential. Then go out and light up the world with it. ✨

Keep leading real.— Joe