Transforming Misunderstood Leadership into Empowered Belief
- Joe Glaser
- Jun 23, 2025
- 2 min read
At some point in every leader’s journey, they find themselves working under someone who just doesn’t get them. Not in a toxic way — not malicious or mean — just someone who assumes they know what makes you tick, but never actually takes the time to find out.
That happened to me.
This particular leader — intelligent, driven, and committed — believed stress was the fuel that drove my performance. They assumed external pressure was what pushed me to show up each day and deliver results. But here’s the truth: they missed the mark.
What really drives me is something far more internal and enduring — the deep motivation to become the best version of myself every single day.
According to the Clifton
Strengths Finder, my top strength is Belief — and that’s no accident. My leadership is anchored in purpose, integrity, and alignment with core values. I don’t move from stress or fear. I move from conviction, meaning, and mission.
While this leader and I never fully aligned in terms of philosophy or communication, looking back, I can honestly say: I’m grateful for them.
Why? Because they brought strengths to the table that challenged me — in good ways. They had sharp business acumen. They were analytical, disciplined, and operationally focused. From them, I learned valuable lessons in data-driven leadership and organizational strategy that I use everyday day.
Even though we didn’t connect on a personal level, I admire the intensity they brought to their role and the way they relentlessly pursued results. They simply had a different lens — and that’s not wrong. It’s just different.
But the most powerful takeaway for me was personal clarity. This experience reminded me of a truth I now hold dear:
Curiosity is a core trait of great leadership.
To truly lead someone, you must be willing to know them — not just manage them. You have to ask questions, listen intently, and show genuine interest in who they are and what drives them. Without that connection, trust is hard to build — and belief is even harder to earn.
And yet, even in discomfort, there was growth. Even in misalignment, there were lessons.
Just like Jocko Willink says in his now-famous message: “Good.” Didn’t get what you wanted? Good. Learn. Struggled to connect? Good. Grow.
If you’ve never seen it, I highly recommend watching it:
So, to that leader — thank you. For pushing me. For showing me a different lens. For unintentionally helping me refine who I am and who I’m becoming.
And to the leaders reading this: Don’t assume you know what drives your people. Be curious. Ask. Lean in. You might discover exactly what unlocks their full potential — and in the process, evolve your own.
Jocko Willink "GOOD" (Official)
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