Whether short-lived or long-lasting, our relationships regulate who we are and who we will change into tomorrow. When I was in university, our professor said, “Nothing in life is of any value unless you can share it with others.” So, I’ve strived to be a servant leader as hard as possible. In my younger years, I didn’t know much about servant leadership. It wasn’t a reference I was familiar with.  

Over the years, I’ve learned the significance of listening and the importance of being a truth-teller. We should aspire to listen more intentionally and sincerely to understand where people are on their journey. I acknowledge that if we’re going to get the best out of people, we’ve got to spend more time striving to empathize with them for who they authentically are.

The truth-teller understands that the truth liberates and sets us free. The truth-teller tells us what we need to hear, not what we want. Yet their delivery of the truth is always done in a manner rooted in grace, empowerment and unconditional love.

I have realized life is about unpacking the most challenging question of “Who am I?” and being at peace with the discoveries. Daily, I still ask myself: Who am I? This question has become my North Star and the compass for my self-leadership and self-mastery journey. When we move toward trusting and focusing our thoughts and energy on what is in our control, we release the impulse to need to have it all figured out. We may not control everything life presents us, but we can refuse to be reduced and defeated by it. 

—Brian Nadon