Leadership is not about having all the answers—it’s about staying true to your values and continuously learning. The best leaders know who they are, what they stand for, and are never done growing.
In this final installment of the Transformational Leadership Principles, (we will cover the 60 skills next) we’re covering two principles that separate average leaders from truly exceptional ones:
- Principle 11: Leadership begins deep within a person’s belief and value structures.
- Principle 12: There is always a deeper understanding beyond what is currently known—the foundation of a growth mindset.
These two principles ensure that leadership isn’t just about what you do—it’s about who you are and who you are becoming.
Principle 11: Leadership begins deep within a person’s belief and value structures.
What This Means
You can learn leadership strategies, techniques, and skills, but at the end of the day, leadership is rooted in your values and beliefs.
Why? Because when challenges arise, when pressure builds, when uncertainty hits—your values are what guide you. They shape your decision-making, your integrity, and your ability to lead with authenticity.
Great leaders don’t chase popularity or convenience—they stay grounded in their principles.
How to Implement
- Define Your Core Values: Write down the top 3-5 values that guide your leadership. Integrity? Accountability? Excellence? Service? Get clear on what matters most.
- Make Every Decision Through a Values Lens: Before making tough choices, ask: Does this align with my core beliefs?
- Be Consistent, Even When It’s Hard: Values shouldn’t change based on circumstances. True leadership means standing by your principles, even when it’s inconvenient.
- Communicate Your Values Clearly: Your team should never wonder where you stand—they should see your values in your words, your actions, and your expectations.
- Lead by Example: Don’t just talk about values—live them daily. If you value respect, show it in every interaction. If you value growth, demonstrate it by continuously learning.
When leadership is rooted in values, people trust you, follow you, and respect your decisions—even when they don’t always agree with them.
Principle 12: There is always a deeper understanding beyond what is currently known—the foundation of a growth mindset.
What This Means
The best leaders never stop learning. No matter how much experience or knowledge you have, there is always more to discover, always room to improve.
Fixed-mindset leaders believe they already know everything they need to know—but transformational leaders understand that true leadership is about constant evolution.
A growth mindset means staying curious, challenging assumptions, and embracing new perspectives. It’s about seeking truth over comfort, wisdom over ego, and progress over stagnation.
Spiritual clarity and growth is part of this deeper meaning. Humanism is not what we are referencing but rather why are we really here.
How to Implement
- Stay Curious and Ask Questions: Instead of assuming you have all the answers, ask better questions. Seek input, challenge assumptions, and stay open-minded.
- Embrace Feedback as a Growth Tool: Feedback isn’t criticism—it’s an opportunity to get better. Seek it, listen to it, and use it to improve.
- Surround Yourself with Smart, Diverse Thinkers: The best leaders don’t just hire people who agree with them—they invite challenging perspectives to sharpen their thinking.
- Learn Something New Every Day: Read, listen to podcasts, engage in deep conversations—commit to lifelong learning.
- Be Open to the Deeper Meaning of Life: Why are you here? Lean into the topic of spirituality with a goal for clarity, peace and knowing what is beyond this physical world we inhabit. How can you know the truth as the answers on this topic are not relative?
When leaders embrace lifelong learning, they stay adaptable, innovative, and ahead of the curve—no matter how the world changes.
Final Thoughts: Great Leadership is Rooted in Values and Growth
If you want to be a truly transformational leader, you must:
✔ Lead from a foundation of unshakable values.
✔ Commit to continuous learning and growth.
Leadership is a lifelong journey, not a destination. The moment you stop growing, you stop leading effectively.
As you move forward, remember: leadership isn’t about what you know—it’s about how you use your knowledge to inspire, guide, and empower others.
What’s Next?
This ends our Transformational Leadership Series on the 12 Principles, but your leadership journey is just beginning. We are following up with the 60 skills which are part of our model. If you’re ready to take your leadership to the next level, join our Transformational Leadership Course, where we’ll take you even deeper and give you the tools, strategies, and real-world application to elevate your leadership impact.
Are you ready to step into your full leadership potential? The journey starts now. 🚀
Until next time, Keep Living On Purpose!
PS. Stay tuned to your opportunity to pre-register for the Online Transformational Leadership Course. That link will be available soon. To bench your (or others) leadership skills, access our Leadership Skills Inventory-Self or LSI-360′.