There are some amazing leaders out there who we admire and even envy.

Here’s the problem: they’re not you. And if you tried to be them, you might totally fail. Or even hate yourself for trying.

How do we deal with this apparent contradiction?

Well, every organization is different. I’m not going to succeed by bringing a high-control style into leading a bunch of volunteers. Or by trying to create a lovey-dovey “we’re all about having a great experience” culture in a group of highly driven salespeople.

But more importantly, each of US is different. There’s some things that I’m good at, and others … not so much. I have a particular way of communicating.

Don’t think that I have to be constrained by that, though. The important thing is that I can learn from others’ experience. Which means I can, and should, try new things and become a better leader than I was yesterday.

But I’m always going to be my own person, with a unique style. And that’s a good thing.