Advisor
What words of advice do you need to tell yourself today?
This week, I have the privilege of offering advice to young adults as they graduate. Those final words matter deeply to me. In many ways, it is one of the most fulfilling responsibilities I have each year. I never pretend to be Socrates or Aristotle when sharing wisdom, but I do believe the most meaningful advice is often simple, honest, and memorable.
The truth is, the advice we most need is often advice we already know — we just forget to apply it to ourselves.
This post is a reminder to me as much as it is to anyone else.
I find myself in a season of transition. Recently, my Mastermind group has been discussing how we can positively impact the world through intentional action and leadership. For me, that reflection has become personal. I’m not only focused on transforming the organizations I lead, but also transforming myself in the process. Growth begins internally before it is ever seen externally.
The first piece of advice I would give myself is this: Never underestimate the power of encouragement.
Encouragement is often overlooked, especially during the moments when we need it most. No matter where you are on your journey, you have likely faced doubt, uncertainty, or even discouragement. In those moments, we must learn to encourage ourselves. We must believe in our abilities, speak positively to ourselves, and continue moving forward even when confidence feels distant.
As leaders, encouragement becomes even more important. People need to know we believe in them. Encouraging words communicate trust, confidence, and support. When individuals feel encouraged, they begin to see potential within themselves. Over time, that encouragement strengthens both confidence and trust within a team.
The second piece of advice is one that can be uncomfortable: Accountability matters.
Holding ourselves accountable is often harder than holding others accountable. It is easy to recognize when someone else falls short, but much more difficult to examine our own actions with the same honesty. Yet leadership requires consistency. People will not follow someone who expects standards they are unwilling to meet themselves.
We must be willing to draw a line in the sand — for ourselves first. If we commit to an expectation, our teams should trust that we will meet or exceed it. Accountability builds credibility, and credibility builds trust.
Lastly, I would remind myself to Lead with passion.
Passion is more than excitement or enthusiasm, although those qualities certainly matter. True passion also requires assertiveness and conviction. Passion means believing strongly enough in the mission that you are willing to protect it when distractions or obstacles arise.
Leadership requires both energy and direction. We create plans with purpose and move forward with enthusiasm. But there are moments when we drift from that vision, and strong leadership requires someone willing to redirect the focus back to what matters most. Leading with passion means caring enough to guide people back to the path when necessary.
As I reflect on these ideas, I find myself asking a few important questions:
Who needs your encouragement right now?
How are you holding yourself and others accountable?
How are you showing up each day with the mindset required to lead effectively?
My season of transition parallels the journey of those graduates stepping into their next chapter of life. Like them, I still need reminders, guidance, and sound advice. Growth requires encouragement, accountability, and passion. Without those qualities, transformation — whether personal or organizational — becomes difficult to sustain.
Meaningful change rarely happens all at once. It begins with small steps, consistent actions, and the willingness to continue growing.
I hope you have an incredible week discovering your path, challenging yourself to grow, and becoming the advisor you need in your own life.
If you’d like to have a deeper conversation about leadership, growth, or transformation, I’d love to connect.
~ Steve
