The Gear of Identity: Who You Are Determines How You Lead

As we welcome 2026, I’m reminded that every new year invites a fresh alignment—a moment to pause, refocus, and ask: Who am I becoming as a leader?

In The Gears of Leadership, I wrote, “You can’t lead others until you know who you are.”

That truth marks the beginning of every leadership journey. Our first gear—Identity—is the foundation that drives everything else. It’s where integrity, humility, and consistency live.

If 2025 taught us resilience, 2026 calls us to authenticity. The most effective leaders are those whose values remain steady even when circumstances shift. This month, take time to rediscover the principles that define you.

Identity in Action:

• Revisit your personal values and write them down.

• Reflect on where your behavior aligns—or drifts—from those values.

• Begin each day asking, “How can I embody who I truly am today?”

Your leadership influence grows in proportion to your self-awareness. As your gears begin turning in 2026, remember: clarity of identity fuels confidence in direction.

Lead with authenticity this year—your team and your purpose deserve nothing less.