Beyond the Title: Bryan Cayabyab

Bryan Cayabyab (Wisconsin’s Most Influential Asian American leaders, 2022) is building a  new entrepreneurial venture after several years as human resources director at food and beverage manufacturer JBS USA in Green Bay, where he managed the human resources needs for a staff of more than 1,200 employees. He’s worked his way up to that position since he joined the company as a training and development manager in 2014. Cayabyab began his career in nursing, volunteering at the Dagupan Doctor’s Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Philippines and working in memory care at Tender Rose Home Care in San Francisco, before transitioning to human resources there in 2013. He holds a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from Springfield College.

What does presence before performance mean to you – and how do you stay grounded when the pressure to perform is high?

For me, presence before performance means leading from awareness, not anxiety and being present. When I’m centered, I make better decisions, listen more deeply, and connect more authentically. I stay grounded through early-morning reflection, meditation, deep breathing and movement. It reminds me that leadership isn’t about speed, it’s about clarity of mind, being present and heart before action.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?

One of my mentors once asked me, “What’s the difference between a forest and a tree?” That question has stayed with me ever since. It taught me that leadership requires both perspectives, the ability to be present in the details while still seeing the bigger picture. If you only focus on the trees, you’ll miss the forest; but if you ignore the trees, you’ll never understand what makes the forest thrive. That balance of detail and vision guides how I lead and make decisions every day.

Tell us about a time you had to lead before there was consensus – when you were the only one who saw it, believed it or were willing to act. What gave you the courage to move anyway?

There was a project I was tasked to lead by our General Manager focused on transforming our culture and how we operate. Through research and experience, I knew that introducing a new software could help us visualize performance, track goals, and strengthen accountability. But when I first proposed it, the response from senior leaders was skeptical, it seemed costly and unnecessary. Still, I believed in its potential, so I kept pushing, refining the pitch, and highlighting the long-term value. Eventually, I was invited to present the idea to corporate IT and several VPs. Months later, the company not only adopted the system but hired full-time data scientists to scale it across all business units. If I had stopped when I first heard “no,” we would’ve missed a major opportunity for growth. What gave me the courage was conviction, knowing that clarity of vision sometimes has to lead before consensus follows.

What’s one question every new leader should ask during their first 100 days and why?

The most important question is, “What’s my why?” Knowing your purpose, why you’re here, what drives you, and what you hope to create, anchors everything that follows. When you’re grounded in your why, clarity and direction come naturally. It fuels the hard days and shapes how you lead, not just what you do. Without it, the journey becomes heavier and the results less meaningful.

Who’s in your “corner” – that voice of wisdom you trust when things get tough? How do you build and protect that circle?

My family, especially my wife and parents, are at the center of my circle. I also have a few close friends and my faith that keep me grounded. They remind me of who I am beyond the title or the work. I build and protect that circle by staying connected, being honest, and allowing myself to be vulnerable. I’ve learned that real strength comes from being willing to ask for help and letting people in.

Leadership can be exhausting. What practices or boundaries help you avoid burnout and stay aligned with your purpose?

I’ve been burned out before as a leader, and I learned that recovery starts with honesty, with yourself. You have to recognize when you’re running on empty and be willing to pause. The pressure will always come from the outside, so you need to be mentally tough on the inside. What keeps me aligned is my morning meditation, connecting with people who ground me, and spending time with my family. They’re my reason for doing what I do and the reminder that purpose matters more than pace.

Clout fades. Calling lasts. How do you stay anchored in impact over recognition?

I’ve learned that calling really does last longer than clout. Early in my career, I chased recognition, the promotions, the titles, the accolades. But as I grew and reached higher levels, I realized that being on top can feel lonely if it’s only about achievement. Reading What’s Your Dream? by Simon Squibb shifted my perspective; it reminded me that we’re meant to follow our purpose, not just our plans. Anchoring myself in impact means asking, What’s my purpose? Why am I doing this? Who am I serving? Those questions keep me grounded in meaning, not status.

What’s a leadership value you refuse to compromise even when its inconvenient?

For me, it’s having a people-first mindset. It’s not always easy, especially in environments where business decisions often center on profit. However, I’ve learned that leadership starts with people, not numbers. There are moments when it would be faster or simpler to make a decision without considering its full impact, but I choose to pause, ask questions, and be present with my team. Once I understand how a decision affects them, I move forward with clarity and a plan to support those impacted. Putting people first may take more time, but it always builds stronger trust and better results in the long run.

What book, quote, lyric or even scripture captures how you lead or how you live?

“Clarity comes when purpose is stronger than pressure.” Simon Sinek

When life gets heavy or leadership feels overwhelming, what’s something you turn to: music, travel or cultural connection that helps you feel like yourself again?

For me, it’s cooking. I love being in the kitchen, experimenting with flavors, and feeding people. There’s something grounding about preparing food. It brings me back to the present.

Who is your favorite sports team?

I’ve never really been into sports or played much growing up, but living in Green Bay, Wisconsin, it’s hard not to get caught up in the Packers’ energy. The excitement here is infectious. It pulls you in whether you plan on it or not. Go Pack Go!

What is your favorite holiday and why?

For me, it’s Christmas. It’s all about family, celebration, and sharing good food and moments together. It reminds me to slow down and appreciate the people I love.

Beyond the Title: Dr. Nestor Rodriguez

Dr. Nestor Rodriguez (Wisconsin’s Most Influential Latino Leaders, 2020) is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and the medical director and co-owner of Carbon World Health in Madison. He emigrated from El Salvador to the inner city of South Central Los Angeles at the age of 7. After graduating with honors from Yale, Dr. Rodriguez followed his dream to study medicine, which he did at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, where he found a passion for sports medicine, cosmetic procedures, and emergency medicine. Thereafter, he was part of the inaugural class of the University of Wisconsin emergency medicine residency program. Dr. Rodriguez is currently the Medical Director of Emergency Services at Watertown Regional Medical Center. In addition, Dr. Rodriguez and his significant other, Ashley Greer, created Carbon World Health, a one-stop-shop for fitness, health, and beauty. In 2016, he was awarded the “Impact Award” by the Urban League of Greater Madison for his work in developing young professionals in the Greater Madison Area. In 2018, Dr. Rodriguez was awarded the “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County.

What does presence before performance mean to you – and how do you stay grounded when the pressure to perform is high?

For me, “presence before performance” means remembering that people come before outcomes. I’m an emergency physician and a founder. In the ER, a monitor can be screaming and ten things need doing—but the human in front of me needs me to arrive before I act. At Carbon World Health, it’s the same: clients don’t just need protocols; they need a person who’s fully there. Presence is the discipline of letting purpose drive speed, not adrenaline.

How I stay grounded when the pressure spikes:

Breathe & name the moment. I use a 60–90 second reset: slow nasal inhale, long exhale, and I quietly name what’s happening—“This is a high-stakes airway,” or “This is a pivotal conversation.” Naming replaces panic with clarity.

Serve the one in front of you. I narrow my focus to the next right action for the person, not the whole chaos. In medicine, that’s airway/breathing/circulation. In business, it’s the one decision that moves the mission.

Purpose cue. I ask, “Why am I here?” My answer is consistent: protect life, restore dignity, build people. That reorders my priorities—ego down, service up.

Body check. Shoulders down, jaw unclenched, feet grounded. It’s amazing how fast your nervous system follows your posture.

Faith & gratitude. A short prayer—“God, use me”—and one grateful thought. Gratitude shrinks fear and expands capacity.

Team voice. I invite collaboration: “Here’s the plan—anything I’m missing?” Presence isn’t solo heroics; it’s coordinated excellence.

I’ve learned this through wins, losses, and even injury and rehab. Performance matters, but the best performance is a byproduct of presence—calm mind, open heart, steady hands, clear next step. That’s how I try to show up for my patients, my team, my family, and my community.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?

A mentor once told me, “Decide who you’re becoming before you decide what you’re doing.”
That line changed how I lead in the ER, how I build Carbon World Health, and how I show up for my family.

When pressure hits, tactics multiply. This advice forces me to slow down and run every big decision through a simple identity filter:

Does it serve people first?
If the patient, client, or teammate isn’t better because of this move, it’s the wrong move—no matter how impressive it looks on paper.

Does it align with my purpose?
My purpose is to protect life, restore dignity, and build people. If a project pulls me away from that, I pass—even if it’s shiny.

Will it compound over time?
I choose systems over splashes: protocols, training, and partnerships that make the right thing the easy thing six months from now.

That counsel helped me say “no” to good opportunities so I could say “yes” to the right ones instead of chasing headlines.

So the best advice? Lead from identity, not urgency.
When who you are is clear, what you do gets a lot simpler—and a lot more powerful.

Tell us about a time you had to lead before there was consensus – when you were the only one who saw it, believed it or were willing to act. What gave you the courage to move anyway?

This year as President of my local Medical Society, there was energy to launch a bunch of visible initiatives—big statements, big events. Instead, I proposed something unpopular: a strategic pause. No splash. Look inward. Fix the foundation—governance, budget clarity, member value, and a real pipeline for future leaders.

Early feedback was…polite. Some worried it would look like we were doing “nothing.” I believed the opposite: if we didn’t recalibrate, any headline would be a sugar high.

We mapped three moves:

Assess honestly—what programs actually deliver value vs. what’s just tradition.

Build playbooks—how we govern, spend, recruit, and communicate so success doesn’t depend on personalities.

Re-ignite engagement—invite fresh nominees, especially mid-career physicians and trainees, into real responsibility.

It took months before anyone could see the payoff. Then it landed: for the first time in years we had a full slate of Board nominations, cleaner financials, clearer roles, and a bench of members leaning in because they knew where we were going. The society is stronger today not because we were louder, but because we got truer and tighter.

Where did the courage come from?

ER muscle memory: In emergency medicine, you act on first principles before the room agrees—airway, breathing, circulation. Purpose drives speed, not applause.

Data over drama: I had enough evidence to believe the foundation was the constraint. When the diagnosis is clear, the treatment is easier to defend.

People-first compass: My job was to leave the organization better than I found it, not better looking in the moment.

Faith and mentors: A quiet prayer—“use me for the work that matters”—and mentors who reminded me, “Decide who you’re becoming before what you’re doing.”

Leadership before consensus is lonely for a while. But if your purpose is clear and your prep is solid, results create the consensus you didn’t have at the start.

What’s one question every new leader should ask during their first 100 days and why?

“What is the one promise we must keep—every time—to the people we serve, and where are we currently breaking it?”

Why does this question matter in the first 100 days?

Clarifies purpose fast. It forces a crisp definition of who you serve (patients, members, staff) and the non-negotiable outcome they expect.

Surfaces reality, not slides. Asking “where do we break it?” pulls out the friction points you won’t see in dashboards—handoffs, wait times, communication gaps, billing surprises, etc.

Creates trustworthy early wins. Fixing broken promises (the “moments of truth”) earns credibility faster than launching shiny new projects.

Aligns culture and operations. A promise you keep consistently becomes your operating system: hiring, training, metrics, and budgets start serving that promise.

How to use it (practical playbook)?

Ask it at every level—patients/clients, frontline staff, supervisors, execs. Collect stories, not just opinions.

Map the journey and mark the top 3 “break points” (e.g., first contact, first appointment, first bill).

Name one standard per break point (the behavior that keeps the promise).

Build a simple scorecard: measure the promise weekly; share results openly.

Close the loop—tell people what you heard and what you fixed in 30/60/90 days.

Ask the promise question early, listen hard, fix the breaks. Do that, and your first 100 days will build the kind of trust that powers the next 1,000.

Who’s in your “corner” – that voice of wisdom you trust when things get tough? How do you build and protect that circle?

My corner is small and intentional. It’s a personal board of directors across the key arenas of my life:

Faith & family: First, I turn to God intentionally—prayer, Scripture, and quiet space to ask for His guidance and the courage to do what He wants me to do. Then my wife, Ashley, is my first call. She knows the mission and isn’t impressed by titles—she’ll ask, “Is this aligned with who you said you want to be?”

Medicine: Two colleagues who’ve lived the highs and lows of the ER and have led teams through both medical and strategic growth during challenging periods. They ground me in first principles and scalable leadership—not just today’s crisis.

Business/Leadership: A couple of seasoned operators/mentors from mastermind groups I have joined who challenge the model, not just the mood.

Community/Service: My Bible Study Fellowship circles—people who hold me to Scripture, prayer, and obedience over ego.

How I built it (filters I use):

Character over charisma. If they won’t tell me the hard truth, they’re not in the circle.

Complement, don’t clone. I want different disciplines and temperaments—clinician, operator, strategist, and a “soul friend.”

No agenda. They’re for me, not for my deals. If our relationship depends on a transaction, it’s not counsel—it’s sales.

Receipts. Lived experience beats theory. Have they navigated failure and come back better?

How we operate (rhythms & rules):

Cadence: Quick texts anytime; a monthly 30-minute check-in; a quarterly deep dive where I bring a one-page brief: context, options, risks, decision date.

Red-team rule: Someone is assigned to argue the opposite case—pressure-test the plan before the world does.

“Identity first” question: We start with “Who are you becoming?” before “What are you doing?” It resets ego and urgency.

Truth with tenderness: Radical candor, zero contempt. We critique decisions, not dignity.

Confidentiality is sacred. What’s said there stays there. Psychological safety fuels honest counsel.

How I protect the circle:

Boundaries: I don’t bring every crisis to everyone. I match the problem to the person so I don’t burn the well.

Reciprocity: I serve them back—make introductions, show up for their big days, celebrate their wins.

Pruning: Seasons change. If a voice becomes consistently cynical, conflicted, or transactional, I bless it—and step back.

Gratitude rituals: Quick “here’s what your advice changed” notes. Gratitude tightens trust.

What it gives me:
When pressure spikes—at the bedside, on stage, or in the boardroom—this circle brings clarity, courage, and calibration. They remind me to choose presence over performance, purpose over applause, and long-term health over short-term hype. That’s the corner I want when the bell rings.

Leadership can be exhausting. What practices or boundaries help you avoid burnout and stay aligned with your purpose?

I organize my approach into seven categories. Each exists to solve a specific burnout driver.

Presence Rituals
Why they matter: Burnout starts when your mind lives in the next meeting while your body is in this one. Brief, repeatable rituals train attention. They quiet noise, restore agency, and ensure I lead from intention rather than adrenaline.

Non-Negotiable Health
Why they matter: Physiology is the foundation of psychology. Sleep, strength, nutrition, and recovery aren’t “nice to have”; they are the power supply for judgment, empathy, and resilience. If the power is unstable, everything flickers.

Boundaries That Protect the Mission
Why they matter: If everything is urgent, nothing is important. Time and communication guardrails convert priorities into reality. Boundaries create margin; margin creates the space where strategy, creativity, and compassion can actually occur.

Team Systems (So You’re Not the Bottleneck)
Why they matter: Leaders burn out when they carry decisions others could own. Clear delegation frameworks and decision guardrails distribute thinking, build leaders around you, and keep you focused on high-leverage work.

Early-Warning Dashboard
Why they matter: Burnout is rarely a surprise; it’s a trend. Simple, periodic self-checks turn vague overwhelm into a readable signal. When you can see load rising, you can course-correct before you’re underwater.

Relational Anchors
Why they matter: Isolation accelerates exhaustion. A trusted circle—faith, family, and a few seasoned peers—replaces ego with accountability and fear with perspective. Wise counsel shortens hard seasons and protects character.

Purpose Audits
Why they matter: Misalignment—not volume—is often the real drain. Regularly testing work against your core promise to the people you serve keeps efforts coherent. When purpose is clear, tradeoffs get simpler and energy returns.

Put together, these categories create a rhythm: presence → power → protection → partnership → perception → people → purpose. That rhythm doesn’t eliminate pressure; it makes you strong enough—and centered enough—to carry it without losing who you are.

Clout fades. Calling lasts. How do you stay anchored in impact over recognition?

I anchor to calling with a simple hierarchy: purpose → people → process → proof. Recognition isn’t on the list.

Purpose. I start with why: protect life, restore dignity, build people. I ask God for guidance, then check every big decision against that purpose. If it serves the mission, I’m in—even if no one’s watching.

People. Faces beat metrics. In the ER and at Carbon World Health, I picture one patient, one family, one staff member. If this action measurably helps them, it’s the right action. Impact is personal before it’s public.

Process. Systems outlast applause. I choose to build playbooks, train teams, and improve handoffs. Quiet process work isn’t glamorous, but it compounds. If I left tomorrow, would the good continue? That’s my scoreboard.

Proof. I measure what matters: safety, access, outcomes, retention, stories of changed lives. Data keeps me honest; stories keep me human. Likes and headlines are not proof—results are.

To keep that hierarchy intact, I hold a few disciplines:

Identity check: “Who am I becoming?” precedes “What am I doing?” If the work is growing my character smaller than my platform, I course-correct.

Credit discipline: Share wins, own misses. Praise by name, protect in public, coach in private. Recognition flows outward.

Obscurity reps: Do meaningful work no one will see—mentor quietly, prep thoroughly, serve without posting. It immunizes me against approval addiction.

Time with truth-tellers: My wife, my inner circle, and my Bible Study Fellowship circle can pull me back to center fast.

Finish-line test: “If this never had my name on it, would I still do it?” If yes, that’s calling. If no, it’s clout.

Clout asks, “How did it look?”
Calling asks, “Who was served—and what will endure?”
I try to live in that second question, every day.

What’s a leadership value you refuse to compromise even when its inconvenient?

Truth with compassion.

I won’t trade honesty for optics. In the ER, in business, and in community work, people deserve the real picture—what’s working, what isn’t, and what we’ll do next—delivered with dignity.

Why it’s non-negotiable:

Trust > tempo. Speed without truth just gets you lost faster.

Safety & stewardship. In medicine and leadership, reality saves lives and resources.

Character alignment. My faith calls me to speak truth in love; if I lose that, the win isn’t worth it.

How I practice it under pressure:

Name the reality, own my part, set the next step. No spin, no blame-shifting.

Measure what matters. Data keeps me honest; stories keep me human.

Protect people, not egos. Praise publicly, coach privately, never weaponize the facts.

Keep promises—or reset them clearly. If we can’t deliver, we say so and renegotiate the plan.

It’s not always convenient, but it’s always clarifying—and clarity is a form of care.

What book, quote, lyric or even scripture captures how you lead or how you live?

I carry four anchors:

“I’m not saying I’m gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.” —Tupac Shakur
That’s my leadership lens: light a spark in someone else—patient, teammate, student—and let the ripple do the heavy lifting.

E + R = O (Event + Response = Outcome)
I don’t control every event; I do control my response. That equation keeps me out of victim mode in the ER, in business, and at home. When pressure hits, I focus on the R: values-first choices, clear communication, next right step.

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” —Proverbs 16:9
I dream big, plan diligently, and then submit the path to God. It keeps ambition from becoming idolatry and re-anchors me in calling over clout.

“Begin with the end in mind.” —Stephen R. Covey
Know the target, then reverse-engineer the path. I’m explicit about outcomes (health, access, dignity), define the milestones, and build systems so the right thing becomes the easy thing—over and over.

Put together, this is my operating code: spark people → own your response → let God direct the steps → reverse-engineer the work. That’s how I try to lead in the trauma bay, at Carbon World Health, and in my community.

When life gets heavy or leadership feels overwhelming, what’s something you turn to: music, travel or cultural connection that helps you feel like yourself again?

I come back to center through music, movement, and meeting with God—each one resets me in a different way.

Music. I start with hip-hop to shake off the stress—then lean into my cultural roots: Spanish music, salsa, reggaetón—Marc Anthony, Bad Bunny, Camilo. And lately I’ve realized gospel has some “club bangers,” too—tracks that move your body and lift your spirit at the same time. Ten minutes with headphones can flip the whole day.

Movement. I’ll be honest: I don’t always want to. But my wife reminds me—“go work out.” She’s right. As a physician, I know this: physiology drives psychology. A lift, a brisk walk, cryotherapy session or red light session—nothing heroic—changes my chemistry and gets me back into problem-solving instead of problem-spinning.

Meeting with God. I connect intentionally—prayer as a real conversation, talking to Him like a close friend. I lay out the anxiety and the fear, and I let it fade, knowing He’s got my back. That reorders everything: identity before urgency, calling before clout.

When I stack those—music, movement, and meeting with God—I come back more me: grounded, grateful, and ready to serve.

Who is your favorite sports team?

Los Angeles Dodgers & Lakers; Barcelona Soccer Club

What is your favorite holiday and why?

The Fourth of July.

As a first-generation immigrant, Independence Day captures what I love about America: the ideas of freedom and opportunity—and the responsibility to contribute. It’s the one day I feel the arc of my family’s story and this country’s promise at the same time. I’m proud to build a life here, serve patients, create jobs, and give back to the community that opened its doors to me.

I also love the rituals—neighbors in the park, kids with sparklers, flags on porches, a grill going. And yes, the fireworks: that magnificent burst of color against a dark sky reminds me of God’s grandeur and the beauty He’s given us to enjoy. It feels like a prayer of gratitude in light and sound.

For me, July 4th is a celebration and a recommitment: be grateful, be useful, and keep doing the work that makes the promise of this country more real for more people.

Success vs. Significance: What Lasts

Success looks impressive. Significance lasts forever.

We celebrate success on social media, proudly posting new titles, promotions, new houses, and big wins. But significance is quieter. It is about what endures after the applause fades.

I have spent much of my life wrestling with what success really means. Is it becoming a CEO? Making six figures? Owning a home and raising a family? The world offers a thousand definitions. But when I slow down long enough to listen to my heart, I know success has to mean more than titles, money, and applause.

At some point, even people who seem successful start asking a deeper question: Does my life matter? Am I leaving a legacy? They stop chasing success and start longing for something more lasting. Significance.

Few stories capture that shift better than Maya Moore’s.

To me, Maya Moore is the greatest of all time, the GOAT of women’s basketball. Her record speaks for itself. In high school, her team went 125-3, winning three state championships. At the University of Connecticut, she led her team to an incredible record of 150-4, including a 90-game winning streak, two national championships, and four straight trips to the Final Four.

Do the math. Between high school and college, her combined record was 275 wins and just 7 losses, with three state titles and two national championships.

Then she went on to the WNBA. In just eight seasons, she reached the Finals six times and won four championships with the Minnesota Lynx. She added Olympic gold medals, overseas titles, and an MVP award. Her resume defines success.

But at the peak of her athletic ability, Maya Moore walked away. She stepped away from the spotlight, from fame, and from what many people spend their whole lives chasing. Why? Because she wanted something deeper. She wanted to live with significance.

Moore dedicated her time to fighting for the freedom of Jonathan Irons, a man wrongfully convicted and sentenced to 50 years in prison. She poured her heart, resources, and influence into helping overturn his conviction. After years of work, Irons was released in 2020. The same woman who once dominated basketball courts worldwide chose instead to fight for justice and give someone else their second chance. If that is not significance, I do not know what is.

Maya Moore’s story reminds me that success is not the goal; purpose is. She had everything the world calls winning: awards, applause, and records. But she wanted something that would last longer than a trophy. She chose people over platform. Service over spotlight.

Over time, I have learned something simple but sobering about success. I once knew a CEO who, one month, was the picture of confidence when I passed him in the airport. The next time I saw him, just a month later, he had been let go. His title was gone. His confidence was gone. You could see the weight of it on him, as if his worth had walked out the door with his job.

Watching him made me realize how fragile success really is and how quickly it can all disappear.

But significance is different. It cannot be taken from you. It is built on who you are, not what you have. It is measured by how you serve, how you love, and how you lift others, not by how many people know your name. Success is what people applaud. Significance is what endures.

And when you start to understand that difference, everything about how you lead and live begins to change.

So maybe the better question is not, “Am I successful?” but “Am I significant?” When the applause fades, when the titles shift, when the paycheck stops, what will still be true about your life?

Here are four ways to pursue significance this week:

• Audit your calendar. Look at where your best time and energy are going. Do they reflect what matters most?

• Reflect on purpose. Take time to think about what truly lasts. What contribution do you want your life to make beyond yourself?

• Invest in people. Significance is always about relationships, not just results. The most lasting legacy you will ever build is in the lives you touch and the people you lift.

• Practice quiet generosity. Do something meaningful for someone who cannot repay you. The best kind of giving leaves no fingerprints.

Significance does not happen by accident. It is built choice by choice, moment by moment. Every one of those moments can count for something greater than yourself.

The world defines success by what you achieve. Success may stop when the trophies do, but significance keeps growing long after the spotlight fades.

Because in the end, success is about what you build for yourself. Significance is about what you build that outlasts you. Real success was never meant to be measured by what you have, but by how you use it to lift others.

Beyond the Title: Dr. Tremayne Clardy

Dr. Tremayne Clardy (Wisconsin’s Most Influential Black Leaders, 2021) is Superintendent of Schools for the Verona Area School District. Dr. Clardy came to VASD with 22 years of experience in K-12 education. Leading up to his previous stint overseeing the operation of 32 elementary schools in the Madison Metropolitan School District, he served at varying levels of school administration and teaching. Dr. Clardy received his Ed.D. and MA from Aurora University and his MS and BS in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

What does presence before performance mean to you – and how do you stay grounded when the pressure to perform is high?

For me, “presence before performance” is about remembering that leadership begins with people, not outcomes. Every policy, program, and data point ultimately connects back to a student, a family, or a staff member who deserves to be seen, heard, and valued. Presence means slowing down enough to listen, to understand context, and to lead with empathy even in moments of urgency.

When the pressure to perform is high, I stay grounded by returning to my purpose of serving others with integrity and ensuring that every decision honors our mission of excellence grounded in equity.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?

Understand who you are, embrace your values and never waiver from the core beliefs that drive you.

Tell us about a time you had to lead before there was consensus – when you were the only one who saw it, believed it or were willing to act. What gave you the courage to move anyway?

When I first led the transition to a new governance model in the Verona Area School District, there was uncertainty and hesitation about shifting long-standing practices. I moved forward because I believed deeply that clarity, accountability, and equity must guide every decision we make for students. The courage came from knowing that leadership sometimes means stepping forward alone so that others can eventually see what is possible together.

What’s one question every new leader should ask during their first 100 days and why?

Does each person in our organization that is accountable for a goal have the decision making authority to achieve that goal?

Who’s in your “corner” – that voice of wisdom you trust when things get tough? How do you build and protect that circle?

I am blessed to have a loyal and highly skilled leadership cabinet that can have tough conversations and disagree with honor while simultaneously elevating our shared mission.

Leadership can be exhausting. What practices or boundaries help you avoid burnout and stay aligned with your purpose?

Honestly my work is not exhausting because of the daily impact of creating educational spaces filled with joy and learning.  I do vacation with my family to provide balance and create new memories.

Clout fades. Calling lasts. How do you stay anchored in impact over recognition?

The business of education is about serving the needs children.  Daily we see their growth as critical thinkers, keep them safe, and support their emotional well-being.  That sucess is all the recognition I need.

What’s a leadership value you refuse to compromise even when its inconvenient?

Center the needs of our children in every leadership decision.

What book, quote, lyric or even scripture captures how you lead or how you live?

Phillipians 4:13

When life gets heavy or leadership feels overwhelming, what’s something you turn to: music, travel or cultural connection that helps you feel like yourself again?

A quiet space with 90’s R&B keeps me relaxed and focused.

Who is your favorite sports team?

The Verona Area Wildcats!

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Mother’s day.  My mother is my hero.

Beyond the Title: Araceli Esparza

Araceli Esparza (Wisconsin’s Most Influential Latino Leaders, 2018) is a poet and teacher who explores art, writing, and healing. She was born and raised in Madison and her parents were migrant workers from Guanajuato, Mexico, from where she still gathers her strength. Araceli is very active in the domestic violence movement and has also volunteered her time teaching English as a Second Language and works to connect poetry to everyday people through presentations and readings. She is the founder and owner of Midwest Mujeres, an outreach and engagement company. Araceli was named Women to Watch for 2015 by Brava Magazine. She is a member of the City of Madison’s Equal Opportunities Commission and has served as Madison College’s entrepreneur-in-residence where she is helping first-generation college students access their entrepreneurial potential.

What does presence before performance mean to you – and how do you stay grounded when the pressure to perform is high?

Breath, and notice the shape of our breath, is it short in your throat, or full in your belly? What will what you say add to the situation and make it better? And remember we all make mistakes.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?

Fake it until you make it, and once you make it, reach out and empower the next person, build up your circle.

Tell us about a time you had to to lead before there was consensus – when you were the only one who saw it, believed it or were willing to act. What gave you the courage to move anyway?

Doing the right thing is not easy when you’re the first person in line. Sometimes it’s enough to show up daily, other times it will be a public announcement, and at other times you need only tell a friend. It’s hard to discern which approach is needed for the situation. But once you do it, be careful of the consequences. Standing boldly can also affect our children and loved ones, but ask yourself, would they support you, knowing the situation? That’s how you know.

What’s one question every new leader should ask during their first 100 days and why?

Who is not in the room that I can talk to get a new perspective? Why is this important for my community and their children? Who isn’t getting paid for this work?

Who’s in your “corner” – that voice of wisdom you trust when things get tough? How do you build and protect that circle?

Mi Vato, my children, sisters, brother, and amigas. I built my circle testing and owning. Testing people with heavy stuff is hard; watching how they react will tell you how you want to be treated in a crisis. Also, owning that you might be a group type or a 1:1 type. That’s okay! Own the type you are and flow.

Leadership can be exhausting. What practices or boundaries help you avoid burnout and stay aligned with your purpose?

Walking barefoot, listening to my 90’s RnB or Punk or New Wave music, getting quiet and listening to the birds. Go into a forest and asking the trees for their perspective.

Clout fades. Calling lasts. How do you stay anchored in impact over recognition?

I stay anchored by reading: articles from around the world, listening to the news, listening to the women we serve through Midwest Mujeres, believing their stories. There is duality in the work we do, in spaces we are the devil in others we are the angel. Accepting that you will not make everyone happy. I get happy about other people’s recognition in the Latino community because I remember a time when we had to drive an hour to get tortillas at El Rey. To think we can now network, eat, play, and get mad at each other right here in our pueblo, is enduring. My calling is to normalize our intersectionality as Latinos/as/es to build spaces that when we leave, others can take over. AND not get mad over how they do it! I’m sure that the first generation of Latinos in Wisconsin never expected us to be so bold, over the top, fancy, and loud about who we are. Yet, here we are brown and proud, undoc and board room, policia and feminista, Cura y Gay, Padre y Madre, Abuela y Tios, Primos and environmental preservation.

What’s a leadership value you refuse to compromise even when its inconvenient?

My name. It’s not a regular Wisco name; I’ve spent most of my life spelling it out.

What book, quote, lyric or even scripture captures how you lead or how you live?

President Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country,” Araceli’s ending….Love or hate her, she is yours; Go and Vote!

When life gets heavy or leadership feels overwhelming, what’s something you turn to: music, travel or cultural connection that helps you feel like yourself again?

Best advice: Get out of Madison every six months. Like go far.

Who is your favorite sports team?

Cougars Sun Prairie Girl Ice Hockey team

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Halloween-Dia de los Muertos… Hanging out at cemeteries and telling good stories, what’s not to love? The rituals, and decorations are amazing!

Beyond the Title: Juan Corpus

Juan Corpus (Most Influential Latino Leaders, 2022) is executive director of the Latino Chamber of Commerce, a statewide organization supporting and promoting Latino-owned businesses and Latino entrepreneurs. He previously served as Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at The New North, the economic development agency serving 17 counties in Northeast Wisconsin. 

What does presence before performance mean to you – and how do you stay grounded when the pressure to perform is high?

It means go back to your roots, remember who you are and why you are there.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?

Put yourself in situations to continue to create opportunities and say yes to them. At times this will be uncomfortable and that’s ok, but don’t let fear hold you back from taking a chance on yourself.

Tell us about a time you had to lead before there was consensus – when you were the only one who saw it, believed it or were willing to act. What gave you the courage to move anyway?

Helping co-found Latino Professional Association of NEW was something that I always hoped was there when I grew up. Sometimes if its not there, you have to be the change you want to see and help build it.

What’s one question every new leader should ask during their first 100 days and why?

What has worked well and what opportunities are there?

Who’s in your “corner” – that voice of wisdom you trust when things get tough? How do you build and protect that circle?

I look to those who are also walking the talk. Folks who are authentic and through their actions are investing in you as much as you invest in them.

Leadership can be exhausting. What practices or boundaries help you avoid burnout and stay aligned with your purpose?

Stepping away and ensuring you are taking time for yourself is a must. Consistently being objective and asking questions help reduce mission drift.

Clout fades. Calling lasts. How do you stay anchored in impact over recognition?

Internally I know I can’t unring the bell. Continue to leverage my platform for others to advance is what drives and motivates me.

What’s a leadership value you refuse to compromise even when its inconvenient?

Integrity. At the end of the, you will know if you truly did the right thing or the best you could do. Facing that person in the mirror is something we all have to do.

What book, quote, lyric or even scripture captures how you lead or how you live?

The Daily Stoic Quotes by Ryan Holiday, offers different and resetting quotes to help keep us grounded.

When life gets heavy or leadership feels overwhelming, what’s something you turn to: music, travel or cultural connection that helps you feel like yourself again?

Music is always the easiest answer for me. 80/90’s Hip Hop is nostalgic and brings me back. Connecting with my fellow LPA members or Estamos Aqui planning committee members also refills my bucket.

Who is your favorite sports team?

Vegas Raiders

What is your favorite holiday and why?

We host Christmas for my side of the family. I have always enjoyed providing gifts and games with prizes for the family to enjoy.

Why we need the 365 Leadership Summit

People often ask me why they should come to the 365 Leadership Summit, why they should take a full day away from their busy schedules, or why an employer should send their team.

My answer is simple: because leadership can be lonely.

Over the past year, I have heard from so many readers of The Selfless Way who said the same thing in different words. They love leading, but sometimes it feels like no one really understands the weight of it. It is hard to explain to someone who has never carried the pressure of being responsible for others, the decisions that keep you up at night, or the moments you have to be strong for everyone else even when you feel empty yourself.

Leadership was never meant to be a solo journey. No one was created to carry the burden alone.

That is why we created the 365 Leadership Summit. It is one day set apart for leaders to come together, to breathe again, to be refilled, and to remember that leadership is not about performing but becoming.

Maybe you are the person who is always expected to have the ideas, to keep things moving, to hold the vision when others lose focus. You pour out constantly but rarely get poured into. This Summit is a place where you can sit with other leaders who know what that feels like, where you can hear best practices, learn new strategies, and walk away refreshed with tools and inspiration for the journey ahead.

Maybe you are someone who is thirsting for wisdom, who wants to learn from real practitioners, not just speakers with theory, but people who have done the work. This Summit is for you too. You will hear from leaders who have led in the fire, built something from nothing, and found ways to lead with both courage and compassion.

I am a big believer in leadership development and professional growth. What better way to learn than from some of the most influential and effective leaders in our region and beyond? These are people with a proven track record of success, who have built cultures that last and who continue to lead with integrity, resilience, and purpose.

Maybe you are someone who believes in giving back. At the 365 Leadership Summit, we will have more than one hundred high school students joining us, the next generation of leaders. They are hungry to learn, to see examples worth following, and to know that leadership is still about service. If you care about mentoring and investing in the future, your presence matters.

Or maybe you just need a place to exhale. To spend one day in an environment where iron sharpens iron. A space where you can show up as your authentic self, without the pressure to perform, and just be reminded that you are not alone.

If you are that super achiever, the one who is always chasing the next goal, this Summit is for you too. It is not often that you can be around people who understand what that drive feels like.

If you are someone who is hungry for knowledge, seeking fresh insight and new tools to grow, this is for you. You will leave with wisdom you can apply immediately, wisdom that strengthens both your leadership and your life.

And if you are the leader who simply wants to feel less alone, even for one day, this is for you. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can hear is, “I know how you feel.” That kind of understanding can refill your spirit in ways no manual or keynote ever could.

Every time leaders come together, something powerful happens. But real transformation does not start on a stage. It starts in the heart. My hope is that as we gather, we will not only share ideas but also be shaped by them. Because before we can lead others well, we have to be willing to keep growing ourselves.

I am deeply grateful for every leader who shows up, those who serve in schools, churches, nonprofits, businesses, and families. You are already making a difference, even if no one claps for it. This Summit is a chance to honor that quiet faithfulness and to remind you that what you do matters. Because when leaders grow, communities rise.

True leadership is not about standing above others, but kneeling low enough to lift them higher. That is the kind of leadership that changes lives, and that is the kind of leadership we want to celebrate together.

So if you have been running on empty, if you are craving connection, or if you simply need a moment to remember why you started leading in the first place, join us on November 3 for the 365 Leadership Summit.

You do not have to do this alone. Come be part of something bigger than a conference, a movement of leaders who believe that significance matters more than success.

Beyond the Title: Kabby Hong

Kabby Hong (Wisconsin’s Most Influential Asian American Leaders, 2022) is an English teacher at Verona High School, and was named Wisconsin’s Teacher of the Year for 2022. With over 20 years teaching experience, he has given several presentations for The New York Times on argumentative writing. He has received awards from Stanford University and the University of Chicago for his effectiveness as a teacher. Over the past two years, he has used his platform as a prominent educator to speak out about the sharp increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans. The sone of Korean immigrants and born in Los Angeles, he received his bachelor’s degree in magazine journalism from the University of Missouri – Columbia and went on to get a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Colorado – Boulder.

What does presence before performance mean to you – and how do you stay grounded when the pressure to perform is high?

I always think about the people that I’m advocating for and how often they don’t have a seat at the table or they don’t have an opportunity to speak. It reduces the pressure to perform because it’s not about you – it’s about those that you represent or the people you advocate for.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?

I had a mentor teacher tell me that the closer you are to your authentic self, the better you will be as a teacher. I think it’s true in the classroom and true in life. Removing the artifice and the insecurities to become who you really are and it’s intensely attractive to others because you can’t fake authenticity.

Tell us about a time you had to lead before there was consensus – when you were the only one who saw it, believed it or were willing to act. What gave you the courage to move anyway?

I would rather fail at something that I believe is a grave injustice than to succeed at a trivial issue that is easily solved. I was one of the leaders that fought for pay equity in our school district when our district was discriminating against women and veteran teachers. I knew we had to aggressively act by communicating the pay inequities we found and to confront our district leaders who were actively involved in this injustice. We eventually went on to win the Federal lawsuit, changed our salary schedule and made those victimized whole with backpay and restitution.

What’s one question every new leader should ask during their first 100 days and why?

Where am I getting truthful, honest and sometimes contrarian opinions on what’s really happening in my organization? If you don’t have a culture of leaders who are willing to say “no” or tell you that something isn’t working then your leadership is bound to fail.

Who’s in your “corner” – that voice of wisdom you trust when things get tough? How do you build and protect that circle?

My wife. She has the aspect of Korean culture that I love and it is brutal honesty. You need people who support you when times are tough, and remind you why you are fighting. You also need people who are honest with you and can provide checks and balances for your blind spots.

Leadership can be exhausting. What practices or boundaries help you avoid burnout and stay aligned with your purpose?

I try and say no to things, but it’s a work in progress because it’s hard for me to do that.

Clout fades. Calling lasts. How do you stay anchored in impact over recognition?

Clout is about ego. It’s selfish. A calling is about others. It’s about the collective.

What’s a leadership value you refuse to compromise even when its inconvenient?

You have to be willing to speak up and advocate for important things even if it’s hard. We live in dark times when it’s so easy to just stay silent. I think speaking up is the number one trait of a leader in 2025.

What book, quote, lyric or even scripture captures how you lead or how you live?

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer” by Albert Camus. I love this quote because it reminds me that we are stronger than we think we are. We can do more than we think we can.

When life gets heavy or leadership feels overwhelming, what’s something you turn to: music, travel or cultural connection that helps you feel like yourself again?

I love travel because it physically separates you from your work and it reminds you that the world is a big place and too often our problems are not as big as they can feel.

Who is your favorite sports team?

I’ve always had a soft spot for the LA Dodgers.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Thanksgiving. It’s about food and family.

Beyond the Title: Tiffany Malone

Tiffany Malone (Wisconsin’s Most Influential Black Leaders, 2023) is a real estate agent with the Alvarado Group and co-founder of OWN IT: Building Black Wealth, a program that assists Black families become homeowners. Her varied career includes working in insurance for American Family Insurance and Allstate Insurance for several years, and at the state of Wisconsin in Social Security and disability for eight years. She is also on the board of the Realtors Association of South Central Wisconsin, which recognized her with the Good Neighbor Award in 2022. She graduated from Upper Iowa University with a bachelors in human services and a minor in criminal justice.

What does presence before performance mean to you – and how do you stay grounded when the pressure to perform is high?

Presence before performance means being completely aware, available, and mentally present before actually carrying out the task. As one would say “You have to get your mind right” Before you can efficiently complete any task you have to be mentally present.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?

The best advice I’ve received from a mentor has been to use the tools you have. Surround yourself around the people that inspire you, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Tell us about a time you had to lead before there was consensus – when you were the only one who saw it, believed it or were willing to act. What gave you the courage to move anyway?

I honestly believe I fell into leadership naturally. There was a moment when I realized that following the crowd didn’t align with my values or vision. Everyone around me seemed comfortable sticking to the usual way of doing things, but I saw an opportunity for improvement that no one else was willing to act on. Instead of waiting for consensus, I decided to move forward and set an example.

At first, it was uncomfortable, leading without support can feel isolating. But what gave me the courage was knowing that progress often starts with one person daring to do things differently. I trusted my instincts and focused on the bigger picture rather than immediate approval. Once others began to see the results, they started to understand and eventually followed. That experience taught me that leadership isn’t about having authority or agreement; it’s about having conviction and the willingness to take the first step when no one else will.

What’s one question every new leader should ask during their first 100 days and why?

What is the change you’d like to see in the organization and why? I like to know what others are thinking and why. Are we in allignment with the vision of the organization and/or mission.

Who’s in your “corner” – that voice of wisdom you trust when things get tough? How do you build and protect that circle?

My mother continues to be a strong source of spiritual guidance in my life. At the same time, my work family has truly become an extension of my own family. They create an environment where I feel supported and empowered to be myself, to make mistakes, learn from them, ask questions, seek reassurance, and engage in open and honest conversations without fear of judgment. Respect is deeply important to me, and I’m grateful that our relationships are built on mutual respect, trust, and genuine care.

Leadership can be exhausting. What practices or boundaries help you avoid burnout and stay aligned with your purpose?

I’m still working on this.

Clout fades. Calling lasts. How do you stay anchored in impact over recognition?

I stay grounded in impact rather than recognition by never forgetting where I come from. My roots and the experiences that shaped me keep me focused on purpose over praise. The history, resilience, and injustices endured by people who look like me continue to fuel my determination to do meaningful work and create positive change.

What’s a leadership value you refuse to compromise even when its inconvenient?

A leadership value I refuse to compromise, even when it’s inconvenient, is integrity. For me, integrity means being honest, transparent, and consistent in both words and actions, even when no one is watching. Leadership often comes with pressure to take shortcuts or make decisions that might be easier in the moment, but I believe trust is built on doing what’s right, not what’s convenient.

What book, quote, lyric or even scripture captures how you lead or how you live?

“What you seek is also seeking you.”

When life gets heavy or leadership feels overwhelming, what’s something you turn to: music, travel or cultural connection that helps you feel like yourself again?

When life becomes too loud, I turn to silence. In a world filled with constant noise and endless demands, silence is where I find clarity. I need that space to slow down and process everything around me. Lately, it has felt like there’s never enough time to breathe, everyone seems to need something, and everything feels urgent.

Life has been heavy. No matter how hard you work, how much of yourself you give, or how loyal you remain, sometimes it still doesn’t feel like enough for others. That realization can be painful and overwhelming. In those moments, I’m reminded of the quiet strength of connection, like when a close friend sends a simple text that says, “I’m just checking on you.” It’s a small gesture, but it speaks volumes, reminding me that I’m seen, even in the silence.

Who is your favorite sports team?

No comment

What is your favorite holiday and why?

My kids’ birthdays- I love watching them grow. Their happiness is important to me.

Leading when it hurts

Recently, I visited my mother in the hospital. I sat by her side and watched her in pain, realizing that her best days were behind her. There is nothing quite like seeing the person who once carried you now needing to be carried. Walking out of that room, I felt the weight of grief pressing down on me, grief not just for what I was seeing, but for all the things I knew I would miss. The laughter around the dinner table. The little inside jokes only the family knows. The comfort of her voice on the other end of the phone.

I left that room trying to hold it together, but as soon as I stepped into the hallway, life rushed back in. My phone lit up with notifications. Missed calls. Voicemails. Text messages waiting for answers. Emails piling up. People needing advice. Problems waiting to be solved. Fires that needed to be put out.

Listen to this column:

There are moments in leadership that no one ever prepares you for. They do not fit into leadership manuals or development seminars. They do not show up on the highlight reels. But they are real. And they test the very core of who you are as a leader.

That is the part of leadership most people never see. They see the public moments, the speeches, the meetings, the headlines. What they do not see are the moments when your heart is breaking but your leadership is still in demand. They do not see the quiet pain you carry while still being expected to encourage others. They do not see the way you push forward for your team while privately grieving the things you cannot fix.

Leadership does not pause for our pain. It keeps calling, even when our hearts feel empty.

Later that same day, I heard from a leader I deeply respect. She was in Texas, sitting at the bedside of her 97-year-old grandfather as he prepared to leave this world. In her own moment of grief, she sent me a text that stopped me in my tracks:

Henry, what do you need from your community right now?

It was such a simple question. But in that moment, it was one of the most selfless acts of leadership I had seen. She was hurting, and yet she thought to ask what I needed. That is what leadership should look like. Not “What can you do for me?” but “What do you need?”

We rarely ask that question of our leaders. We ask them to perform. To solve problems. To be strong. But rarely do we pause and ask, What do you need right now? How can we carry some of the weight for you? Imagine how different leadership could feel if that question was asked more often.

These are the unseen parts of leadership. The nights when you are drained but still have to encourage your team. The mornings when you are grieving but still need to check on your partner who is stressed about the bills. The moments when you want to retreat but instead you keep showing up because people are counting on you.

And yet, something unexpected happens in the middle of the pain. Serving others gives purpose to the struggle. Pouring yourself out does not erase the grief, but it reshapes it into something meaningful. Pain without purpose can feel crushing. But pain tied to calling has the power to make you stronger.

That is why doing what you are called to do matters so much. If you are leading in a way that is just about a paycheck, a title, or someone else’s expectations, those heavy moments will break you. But if you are leading from calling, from that deeper place that says, “This is the work I was made to do,” then even in the hardest days, you can keep moving forward.

The Selfless Way of leadership is not about pretending you have it all together. It is not about perfection or polish. It is about showing up when no one sees the cost. It is about asking better questions, like my friend did for me: What do you need right now? And it is about remembering that service itself has a way of steadying you.

Leadership is not about escaping pain. It is about finding the courage to serve in it. And when you do, you discover something remarkable: even in the deepest grief, you can still give. Even in weakness, you can still lead. And sometimes, it is in those very moments that your leadership becomes the most real, the most human, and the most impactful.

About the author

Henry Sanders is the CEO of Madison365, founder of the 365 Leadership Summit, and an executive coach who helps leaders navigate transitions, build trust, and lead with lasting impact — not just surface-level performance. Just stepped into a new leadership role — or preparing for one? Start with a free 15-minute Leadership Audit: a no-pressure session designed to help you clarify your next 100 days and lead with presence, not panic. To schedule your session or learn more about executive coaching, email Henry@365nation.com. And don’t miss the 365 Leadership Summit on November 3 — where real leaders come together to build what lasts. Visit 365Leadershipsummit.org to register.

Instagram: @Henry_Sanders_Jr

Beyond the Title: Laura Lahti

Beyond the Title is a series of Q&As with alumni of Madison365’s Most Influential lists.

Laura Lahti (Wisconsin’s 30 Most Influential Asian American leaders, 2025) is the co-founder and President of AMASIAN and serves on the Dane County Equal Opportunities Commission. She’s also a longtime Realtor, recognized as the face of Team Lahti Real Estate with Badger Realty Team. In addition, Laura works as a Branding Innovator at American Diversity, supporting local organizations with creative promotional strategies. Outside of her professional and philanthropic roles, Laura treasures her role as a Halmoni (grandmother), and enjoys learning Korean, entertaining, traveling, and spending time with her family. 

What does presence before performance mean to you – and how do you stay grounded when the pressure to perform is high?

It’s about being grounded, attentive, and fully present. Before I speak or host a big event, I follow a ritual of spiritual cleansing and meditation. It helps clear my mental clutter, release stagnant energy, and bring me back to the present moment.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?

One of the best pieces of advice I ever got from a mentor was simple: document everything. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but I quickly learned how powerful it is. An email thread, a receipt, a few quick notes from a meeting—having those records has saved me more than once when something slipped through the cracks. It’s not about being rigid, it’s about giving yourself a safety net so you can focus on the bigger picture with peace of mind.

Tell us about a time you had to lead before there was consensus – when you were the only one who saw it, believed it or were willing to act. What gave you the courage to move anyway?

When I moved to make AMASIAN a 501(c)(3), there was no board and no roadmap. What gave me courage was knowing how isolating it feels not to see yourself represented—and trusting others felt it too. My ADHD became a superpower, helping me think differently and act boldly. That leap lit the spark for something larger than me.

What’s one question every new leader should ask during their first 100 days and why?

“How would you prefer I communicate with you—email, text, quick check-ins, longer sit-downs?”

It respects their time and sets up smoother collaboration. Plus, it saves a ton of frustration down the road.

Who’s in your “corner” – that voice of wisdom you trust when things get tough? How do you build and protect that circle?

In my corner are a few friends and family who tell me the truth when I need it most. I protect that circle by keeping it small, rooted in trust, and showing up for them the way they show up for me.

Leadership can be exhausting. What practices or boundaries help you avoid burnout and stay aligned with your purpose?

For me, it’s carving out rituals that bring me back to center—meditation, breathwork, and saying no when I am feeling burnout.

Clout fades. Calling lasts. How do you stay anchored in impact over recognition? 

I stay anchored by focusing on the people right in front of me—my community, my family, and the next generation watching. I’m rarely on social media, and when I do post, it’s usually just to share an event or meaningful news.

What’s a leadership value you refuse to compromise even when it’s inconvenient?

A leadership value I won’t compromise is integrity. Even when it’s inconvenient, I’d rather be upfront and honest than cut corners. People can handle tough truths, but once trust is broken, it’s hard to get back.

What book, quote, lyric or even scripture captures how you lead or how you live?

My mantra, the Ho’oponopono prayer: “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.” It clears my subconscious of negative thought patterns, creating space for peace, responsibility for my actions, gratitude, forgiveness, and love.

When life gets heavy or leadership feels overwhelming, what’s something you turn to: music, travel or cultural connection that helps you feel like yourself again?

When I have time to escape, I enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends, and attending events to support other organizations.

Who is your favorite sports team?

I don’t have a favorite sports team. If I attend a game, I will always root for our home team!

What is your favorite holiday and why?

My favorite holiday is the one I get to share with my family—especially now with my granddaughter and daughter living with us. Experiencing the season through her eyes brings a whole new layer of joy and meaning. The traditions feel fresh again, and it’s a reminder that the real gift is simply being together.

The Cost of Clarity: Why Most Leaders Avoid Their True Calling

Then one ordinary day, it all unraveled. A closed-door meeting. A short conversation. A title gone. Just like that, the life he had built was over.

Listen to this column:

But what felt like failure was actually freedom. Losing that title forced Josh to confront the question he had been too busy to ask: What was I really made to do?

The answer changed everything. The answer gave Josh clarity. Today, Josh is the author of The Kairo Code and the founder of Bridge Builder Live. He purchased Five Bridges Farm, eighty acres outside Madison, and turned it into a place where leaders gather for workshops, masterminds, and renewal. Instead of chasing someone else’s definition of success, Josh is helping others do the deep, inner work that leads to real transformation.

What looked like the end of a career became the beginning of a calling.

We love the idea of clarity until it tells us something we do not want to hear. That is when we fill our calendars with meetings, commitments, and constant hustle, convincing ourselves we are too busy to slow down. The truth is, most leaders are not unclear about their calling; they’re just avoiding it. Clarity does not just give answers, it makes demands. It forces us to confront the uncomfortable question: Am I living the life I was meant for, or just the life I built by default?

Over the years, I have met leaders who appear to have it all together. They hold impressive titles, draw healthy paychecks, and are celebrated in their industries. Yet behind closed doors, they are restless and even miserable. Why? Because they are chasing someone else’s definition of success.

Sometimes that definition comes from a parent or family expectations. At other times it is shaped by Hollywood or the highlight reels of social media. Too often, it is simply about money. They are chasing the game instead of leaning into their gifts.

Others confuse passion with calling, mistaking a hobby for their life’s work. Passion may excite you, but calling sustains you. Without clarity, many drift from one distraction to another, chasing whatever feels urgent but never committing to what they were truly designed for. Sometimes this happens because they do not know their gifts. Other times it is because they cannot see a real path forward that allows them to use those gifts.

Clarity often comes when we pause long enough to renew our minds, strip away distractions, and get honest about what truly matters. It is less about seeing every step of the journey and more about having enough light for the next step. When we align our decisions with our deepest values and stop trying to control every outcome, the path forward becomes straighter and clearer.

Clarity is never cheap. It might cost you the approval of people who do not understand your choices. It might cost the safety of a predictable paycheck or the comfort of being “important.” And yes, it will strip away the illusion that busyness equals worth.

But here is the deeper truth: confusion charges interest. Every day you delay, you pay with frustration, exhaustion, and a little more of the life you were meant to live.

So ask yourself:

• Whose definition of success am I chasing?

• What distractions am I using to avoid facing what I already know?

• What small step could I take this week to move closer to my true calling?

You may not be able to quit your job tomorrow. Most people cannot. But you can still begin. You can clear space, name your gifts, and take one step toward the work that will sustain you.

Because clarity is not about seeing the whole road. It is about finding enough light for the next step. And when you take that step, the path forward begins to straighten.

So the question is no longer whether clarity is expensive. The question is whether you are willing to keep paying the higher price of staying lost.

About the author

Henry Sanders is the CEO of Madison365, founder of the 365 Leadership Summit, and an executive coach who helps leaders navigate transitions, build trust, and lead with lasting impact — not just surface-level performance. Just stepped into a new leadership role — or preparing for one? Start with a free 15-minute Leadership Audit: a no-pressure session designed to help you clarify your next 100 days and lead with presence, not panic. To schedule your session or learn more about executive coaching, email Henry@365nation.com. Leadership Summit on November 3 — where real leaders come together to build what lasts.

The Lonely Leader: Why You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone

Every leader knows the feeling: the higher you rise, the lonelier it gets. Leadership can feel like standing on a stage with no one in the wings, carrying weight with no one spotting you.

When I had my first real paying job out of college, I worked for a leader I deeply respected. She was courageous, fighting for underserved communities, and even in who she hired, you could see her convictions lived out. But one day, a local media outlet ran a negative story about her and plastered her face on the cover of their paper.

I was crushed. She felt isolated. I saw up close how lonely leadership can be and how quickly the spotlight can turn cold. That experience planted two seeds in me. First, it showed me the impact that media could have. Second, it shaped my resolve: I would never let myself be isolated like she was.

So I made a list of 20 to 25 people. Some I knew well, others I only admired from a distance. They weren’t all alike. Different ages, races, genders, and perspectives, but they had one thing in common: I respected the way they led. I reached out to every single one. Almost all of the people on my original list responded. Many said yes to a meeting.

This is what made the difference: I didn’t just send a blind message. I researched each person. When I finally sat down with them, I wanted my questions to show I had done my homework. I wanted them to know I valued their time, their story, their leadership. I always offered to pay for lunch.

Years ago, someone from Milwaukee asked to meet. I knew some of the work he was doing and was curious, so I said yes. But within minutes, he began asking me for all my contacts. I paused and asked, “Do you know what I do?” He admitted he didn’t. His assistant just told him I was someone he should know. I ended the meeting kindly, but I gave him some advice I still believe today: when you meet with someone, know who they are. Even more importantly, know what you can offer them, not just what you want to take. Relationships are not transactions. Real leadership is built on mutual respect, not shortcuts.

That one decision, to reach out to people I admired with humility and authenticity, changed the trajectory of my leadership. Looking back, I can’t begin to count the blessings that came from those conversations. My next job, working for a congresswoman, came because one of those 20 to 25 people recommended me. Many of them became mentors and friends. I wasn’t alone anymore.

Finding my circle didn’t just change my leadership. It changed me. It made me realize something deeper: when leaders carry the weight alone, the whole team feels it.

Lonely leaders don’t just suffer personally. Their teams suffer too. Isolation narrows perspective, slows innovation, and drains resilience.

Over the years, I kept seeing that same loneliness in leaders across the state. Brilliant, accomplished people who were siloed. Isolated. When I’d ask if they knew their counterparts in other cities or sectors, the answer was almost always no.

That’s one of the reasons we created the 365 Leadership Summit. Yes, it’s a space for professional growth and leadership development. But more than that, it’s a place where leaders can exhale. A place to be reminded that you’re not the only one carrying the weight. A place where people can leave knowing, I am not alone.

It’s also why I began leadership development coaching. Too often, leaders feel vulnerable and alone but have no safe space to process it. I wanted to walk with them in those moments and remind them that even in the hardest seasons, they don’t have to carry it by themselves.

The real danger isn’t the weight. It’s carrying it alone. If you’re leading alone, you’re carrying too much. Build your circle. Do your homework. Show up with respect. Create space to breathe.

If you’re not sure where to start, here’s how I did it:

• Do your homework. Learn about the people you admire before you reach out.
  Diversify your circle. Seek leaders of different ages, races, and perspectives.

• Reach out intentionally. Don’t wait for the right time. Create it.

• Offer value, not just requests. Even as a young professional, I offered to pay for lunch.

The lonely leader is not a stronger leader. The connected leader is. You don’t have to carry it alone.

Beyond the Title: Dr. Damira Grady

Dr. Damira Grady is the Vice President of College Culture, Climate, and Community Impact at Madison Area Technical College. Dr. Damira Grady is an established thought partner and advocate for equity and social justice. Dr. Grady desires to forge multidisciplinary partnerships that create leadership opportunities and social mobility. Dr. Grady brings an extensive leadership background in access and support and works tirelessly at refining processes, policies, and programs that support conscious, inclusive environments. Dr. Grady has taught at four-year and two-year institutions, worked at various nonprofits, and served on various community boards and advisory committees. She is also a licensed professional counselor and utilizes those skills to help organizations ensure that all programming, policies, and procedures consider the whole person. 

What does presence before performance mean to you – and how do you stay grounded when the pressure to perform is high?

Presence before performance means I don’t let the room noise run me. And by room noise, I don’t just mean chatter; I mean the energy, the politics, the unspoken expectations, the side-eyes, the fear in the air. Every room has noise, and if you’re not careful, you’ll start moving to its rhythm instead of your own.

I’ve had moments where I walked into a space and felt all of that noise pulling at me, people waiting for me to fix it, to smooth it, to make it easy. My body wanted to jump in fast. But I’ve learned to pause, breathe, and stay centered. To remember: the loudest energy isn’t always the truest one. When I do that, I can respond with clarity instead of reacting out of pressure.

So, presence before performance, for me, is grounding rituals; breath work when I need space, stillness when I need perspective, humor when I need to break the tension. It’s refusing to let the noise decide who I am or how I lead.

What’s the best advice you’ve received from a mentor?
“They are going to hate you regardless, so do it anyway.”

That line was a game changer. It freed me from the illusion that leadership is about keeping everyone happy. A secure leader isn’t chasing approval; they’re anchored in worth. They know people are generally trustworthy and good, and when they’re not, or when they project blame, it’s not about you.

For me, that advice became both a shield and a compass. A shield against the noise of criticism, gossip, and gaslighting that shows up when you lead boldly. And a compass pointing me back to courage, even when it costs me. Because if they’re going to hate you anyway, you might as well make it worth something.

Tell us about a time you had to lead before there was consensus – when you were the only one who saw it, believed it, or were willing to act. What gave you the courage to move anyway?

Consensus is luxury leaders rarely get at the beginning, especially from other leaders, not necessarily those we lead. I remember when I pushed to change the name of an office because the language being used felt shallow and performative. People thought the old name was fine, familiar, safe. But I knew that if we kept calling the work by a label that didn’t match its depth, we’d keep people stuck in surface-level conversations.

It wasn’t a popular move at first. Folks worried it would stir confusion or resistance. But I pressed anyway, because for me, naming isn’t cosmetic; it’s cultural. Language sets the stage for how people engage, and I wasn’t willing to let my work be reduced to optics.

What gave me courage was knowing that regret is heavier than rejection. I’d rather move in truth and face pushback than stay quiet and let the work get minimized. And I’ve learned that when you lead from alignment, people may not agree right away, but they eventually see the shift you were trying to make.

So yes, my “I told y’all so” file is thick. But it’s not about being right, it’s about refusing to settle for performance when transformation is what’s needed.

What’s one question every new leader should ask during their first 100 days and why?

“Whose voice is missing here?”

Because if you’re not asking that, you’re not leading; you’re just performing in a suit. Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room; it’s about making sure the right voices are in the room and actually heard.

Who’s in your “corner” – that voice of wisdom you trust when things get tough? How do you build and protect that circle?

My circle is small, messy, and unbought. They’re the ones who remind me when I’m carrying more than is mine, or when I need to rest instead of grind. I protect it by keeping out people who only want proximity to my title but not responsibility for my humanity. My corner is curated like a playlist, you don’t just add anyone.

At the same time, I was raised to be in everyone’s corner. Service first. That comes straight out of my mindfulness teaching: to show up with compassion, to ask what happened? instead of why did you do that? There are so many people who feel I know them, and in many ways, I do, even when they’re still mispronouncing my name.

What grounds me is discernment. I’m good at consciously removing energy and people from my inner energy, while still showing them love and support. I can get along with everyone, but my spirit doesn’t sit with everyone. That’s the balance: to stay generous in the world, while fiercely protecting my center.

Leadership can be exhausting. What practices or boundaries help you avoid burnout and stay aligned with your purpose?

I practice “selective no’s.” Not everything deserves my yes, even if I could do it well. I build space to just be Damira; not VP, not therapist, not strategist. I write. I create. I laugh with my people. And I remember: if I burn out, my vision burns with me.

My boundaries are clear:

• I am not the expert on all things. And I don’t hire facilitators or work with individuals who claim they are. Why? Because when someone positions themselves as the expert, it often shuts down curiosity, humility, and shared learning. Real leadership, and real healing, come from co-creating knowledge, not hoarding it.

• I don’t get in the arena to debate my own oppression. My humanity is not up for discussion or debate.

• I don’t participate in activities or learning simulations that center my oppression for dominant culture’s education. My lived experience is not a training prop.

These boundaries are non-negotiable. They keep me aligned with purpose, not drained by performance. They remind me that my role isn’t to prove my worth or educate people at the expense of my own dignity. My role is to protect my energy so I can keep doing the work that matters, building spaces where people can thrive, not just survive.

Clout fades. Calling lasts. How do you stay anchored in impact over recognition?

I measure myself by fruit, not followers. Did the culture shift? Did someone feel seen? That’s the scoreboard.

I’m not on social media; just LinkedIn, and honestly, even that is starting to feel too much like Facebook. I don’t chase awards. I don’t need to videotape myself “doing good,” or living by best life. 

As a licensed therapist and a Vice President of Organizational Impact & Culture at Madison College, I sit in two worlds that both demand integrity: the clinical world, which is rooted in trust and confidentiality, and the leadership world, which is about influence, culture, and systemic change. That dual lens is why I’m deeply cautious about the siren song of social media and public validation.

The rise of “therapist influencers” has undeniably helped destigmatize mental health. But it also raises red flags when content veers into self-promotion, self-diagnosis, or buzzword overload. I worry when the impulse to record ourselves “doing good” dilutes the essence of therapeutic presence. Videoing care can drift toward performance, especially on platforms that reward what’s click-worthy rather than what’s clinically sound. That skews the message and risks eroding professional integrity.

In therapy, we’re trained to honor nuance, confidentiality, and real transformation, not showcase it. Yet most social media “therapy” content isn’t rooted in evidence, often lacks citations, and can misrepresent the complexity of real therapeutic work. Add to that the popularization of “therapy speak”, and the gap between symbolic empathy and authentic healing only widens.

And it’s not just therapy. Leadership as a discipline has become a billion-dollar business. Everyone has a book, a podcast, a framework, a formula. Yet if you ask most people, they’ll say the same thing: we don’t have enough good leaders. Why? Because you can’t podcast your way into integrity. You can’t keynote your way into self-awareness. Crafting a personal brand is not the same as cultivating personal depth.

The real work of leadership is not publishing; it’s practicing. It’s working on the craft of yourself. It’s the slow, often uncomfortable labor of growing emotional intelligence, learning how to regulate, to listen, to sit with tension, to act with courage even when it costs you. That’s not flashy. It won’t go viral. But it lasts.

That’s why I stay anchored in calling over clout. Because clout is applause. Calling is alignment. And alignment is the only thing that can outlive a news cycle or social media likes.

What’s a leadership value you refuse to compromise even when it’s inconvenient?

Truth. Even when it costs me opportunities, comfort, or relationships. Especially then. If my leadership isn’t rooted in truth, then it’s just choreography.

The thing about truth is, it doesn’t always make you popular. It doesn’t always make you safe. But it does make you free. And when leaders consistently abandon truth, the cost isn’t just burnout, it’s moral injury. Burnout is exhaustion. Moral injury is deeper: it’s what happens when you’re forced to act against your own values, to betray what you know is right, or to stay silent in the face of harm. That wound doesn’t heal with a vacation. It lingers.

By contrast, practicing moral inquiry keeps me alive in leadership. It’s asking myself: “Am I still leading in a way that feels honest? Am I still aligned with why I said yes to this in the first place?” That ongoing calibration is how I resist the slow erosion of integrity that turns leadership into performance theater.

So, when I say I won’t compromise truth, it’s not bravado; it’s survival. Because the day I trade truth for convenience is the day I step out of leadership and into performance. And I didn’t come here to dance for systems. I came here to shift them.

What book, quote, lyric, or scripture captures how you lead or how you live?

For me, it’s not a book or a quote, but a poem: Froglessness by Thich Nhat Hanh.

The poem is about the urge to leap, like a frog on a plate that can’t sit still. We live like that too: always jumping toward the next goal, the next title, the next solution. But the practice of “froglessness” is learning how to stay. To not leap out of discomfort. To not run because urgency or fear tells you to. To trust that stillness can hold you.

Froglessness is actually considered a mindfulness practice, what Thich Nhat Hanh called the “first fruit of practice.” The frog symbolizes our restless, striving nature, the part of us that wants to move constantly or escape discomfort. But froglessness teaches us the freedom of staying grounded, of choosing presence over panic, and moving only when it is truly aligned.

That captures my leadership. I’ve led in spaces where the expectation is to move fast, perform quickly, and always “jump.” But wisdom lives in the pause. I try to be the leader who can sit with tension instead of fleeing it, who can create calm instead of adding chaos, who knows that presence is often more transformative than performance.

And on a personal note, it makes me smile, because I collect frogs. For me, they’re not just trinkets; they’re reminders. Symbols of growth, transformation, and yes, sometimes the impulse to leap. But the poem reminds me: I don’t have to jump every time someone pushes. I can stay. I can lead from stillness.

Froglessness
by Thich Nhat Hanh

The first fruition of the practice
is the attainment of froglessness.

When a frog is put
on the center of a plate,
she will jump out of the plate
after just a few seconds.

If you put the frog back again
on the center of the plate,
she will again jump out.

You have so many plans.
There is something you want to become.
Therefore you always want to make a leap,
a leap forward.

It is difficult
to keep the frog still
on the center of the plate.

You and I
both have Buddha Nature in us.
This is encouraging,
but you and I
both have Frog Nature in us.

That is why
the first attainment
of the practice—
froglessness is its name.

When life gets heavy or leadership feels overwhelming, what keeps you grounded?

For me, it’s being in community. And being in community isn’t just hanging out, it’s about being seen, cared for, and interwoven in shared purpose and belonging. Real community offers belonging without having to conform, support that steadies you in hard times, and roles that give meaning to life. It creates safety, connection, and mutual care. It’s not transactional, it’s nourishing.

And here’s how that lives in my world when things get heavy: running my annual weeklong Aunt Damira Camp fills me up in a way nothing else does, being with my nieces and nephews, pouring into them, and laughing until my cheeks hurt. Walking around my neighborhood and having folks notice when they haven’t seen me in a minute; checking in, wondering if I’m okay or if I’ve moved; that’s what being in community feels like.

It’s also travel and exploration, resetting with new places and new faces. It’s giving back, showing up during crises, being the 411 for family and friends (“for those old enough to remember the Call Line”). I carry that role with love.

Yes, music, travel, and culture all feed me, but what keeps me grounded and human is being in community. That’s oxygen for me. And I think part of why it’s so nourishing is because I live a lot of my life offline. I carry authentic information in my body, in my memory, and in my relationships, not just in a feed.

Who is your favorite sports team?

Full disclosure; I don’t really watch sports very often, unless it’s family or we are going on a family outing. When my son was younger and playing baseball and hockey, I was the full traveling sports mom; lugging sports bags, freezing in rinks, cheering until my throat was raw. For me, the joy wasn’t in watching strangers do their hobby on TV or paying to get into a stadium; it was in showing up for him.

Now that he’s grown and out of sports, I’ve shifted my jersey collection to cheer for my step-grandson, he plays baseball, basketball, and football, so I’ve basically got a rotating fan schedule depending on the season.

And if we’re talking pro teams, I have to say the Raiders. When I was in middle school, the team came to my school and spoke to my class. That was a core memory for me growing up, and even though they’ve moved to Vegas, I still call them my favorite. Growing up in the Bay, most people in my family claimed the 49ers as their favorite team, but the 49ers never came to my school. The Raiders did, and that sealed it for me.

So in short: I’m nostalgic about the Raiders, and all-in for whichever team my step-grandson is on.

What is your favorite holiday and why?

I don’t really celebrate holidays in the traditional sense, I celebrate togetherness. For me, the date on the calendar matters less than the people around the table. It’s the laughter in my kitchen, the music turned up too loud, the conversations that stretch late into the night. That’s what feels sacred.

If I had to name one, though, Juneteenth resonates deeply. Because freedom isn’t just a date we mark once a year; it’s a practice. It’s a reminder of resilience, delayed justice, and the power of celebrating as an act of resistance. But at the heart of it, whether it’s Juneteenth, a birthday, or just a random Sunday dinner, what I’m really celebrating is community, connection, and the chance to be fully present with my people.

The Warrior’s Way: Resilient Leadership in a Demanding World

Everyone wants to be a leader — until it’s time to make leadership decisions. Until it’s time to carry the weight, take on the accountability, and make the call that others will second-guess. Titles are easy to wear, but real leadership is heavy.

Leadership will test you. It will test your character, your patience, and your resilience. Because leadership isn’t about standing in the spotlight. It’s about standing firm when the spotlight turns harsh.

In a demanding world, leaders are pulled in every direction. Every decision carries consequences. Every choice brings critics. And the temptation is to fight harder just to prove you’re right.

But resilient leaders know effectiveness matters more than ego. Sometimes proving you’re right costs you the trust of the people you lead. Sometimes winning the argument loses the room. Better to be effective than to be impressive.

What separates resilient leaders isn’t talent. It’s discipline. Anyone can shine for a moment, but warriors prepare for the long fight. Resilience isn’t built in applause or quick wins. It’s forged in the hours no one sees: the preparation, the persistence, the decision to stay when everyone else is ready to quit.

The hardest battles aren’t out in the world. They’re inside of us. Ego, fear and insecurity will knock down more leaders than any external challenge.

I’ve learned that resilience is rooted in humility. It’s the courage to admit when you’re wrong, the wisdom to shift course when necessary, and the strength to serve instead of chasing the urge to prove yourself. The greatest victories don’t come from silencing your critics. They come from silencing your ego.

Even warriors don’t fight alone. Before I was a CEO, I was a boxer. And one thing the sport taught me is this: in the ring, your corner steadies you, reminds you of the bigger picture, and gives you perspective you can’t see when you’re taking hits.

Leadership is no different. The most resilient leaders I know keep tight, trusted circles — mentors, peers, and coaches who remind them of who they are and what they’re fighting for. Resilience isn’t about carrying the weight alone. It’s about knowing when to lean on others so you can keep carrying it forward.

Resilience isn’t about never breaking. It’s about refusing to stay broken.

The warrior’s way isn’t about avoiding the fight or winning every round. It’s about showing up, staying humble, and refusing to quit when the weight of leadership feels unbearable. Resilient leaders keep rising — and that’s why they last.

And here’s the good news: resilience isn’t reserved for a few. It’s something every leader can build with practice and intention.

How to Build Resilient Leadership

• Choose effectiveness over ego. Don’t waste energy proving you’re right when you could be moving your team forward.

• Discipline your habits. Resilience is built in the unseen — rest, preparation, reflection, and focus.

• Name your inner battles. Be honest about your fear, pride, or insecurity, and do the work to master them.

• Build your corner. Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and truth-tellers who will steady you in the fight.

• Keep rising. You don’t have to win every round. You just have to refuse to stay down.

The Hustle Hangover: When drive becomes your drug

I’ll be the first to admit it – I loved the old Rick Ross song, “Everyday I’m Hustlin’.” That beat, that energy, that mindset.

Or Floyd Mayweather’s motto: “Hard work and dedication.”

For a long time, I believed hustle was the only way forward. If you weren’t grinding harder than everyone else – what were you even doing?

But here’s the truth: hustle is addictive. The rush of saying yes to every board invitation, every meeting, every social outing – it makes you feel important, needed, unstoppable. Until the hangover hits. Until you realize that effectiveness requires more than activity. It requires focus. And sometimes focus means saying no.

Saying no is a skill. I had to learn it the hard way if I wanted to last as a leader. The older I get, the more I respect not just success, but longevity. Some people get hot for a season, but few stay effective for decades. That’s why I admire someone like LeBron James — not just for his talent, but for the way he has sustained excellence year after year. Hustle might get you noticed. Focus sustains you.

When I talk to leaders about balance, what I’m really saying is this: do everything in rhythm. Life has seasons. There are times when your business, your family, or even your own growth will demand more attention. That’s normal. The key is not to stay locked in that one mode forever. Balance isn’t perfection – it’s alignment. And the sooner you can shift back into rhythm, the healthier you and your leadership will be.

Now, let me be clear – there are seasons in which saying no feels impossible. The single parent working two jobs, the entrepreneur trying to make payroll, the leader holding everything together – sometimes survival requires hustle. If that’s you right now, don’t feel shame for the season you’re in. Just know it’s not meant to be permanent. The danger is staying in that mode forever. Hustle can help you for a season, but it will crush you if you never step out of it.

The reality is simple: a burned-out leader can’t serve anyone. Think about a parent running on fumes versus a parent who has learned to care for themselves. The difference is obvious. The first is reactive, irritable, and exhausted. The second has margin, presence, and joy. Leaders are no different. We cannot pour into others if we’re completely empty ourselves.

That’s why I never let high achievers off the hook when I ask them, “How are you?” Nine times out of 10, they respond by telling me how their team is doing, how their business is doing, how the numbers are doing. And I’ll stop them and push again: “No, how are you doing?” The pause that follows says everything. Too many leaders deflect — not because they’re being dishonest, but because they don’t actually know. They haven’t slowed down long enough to ask themselves that question honestly.

Here’s the good news: hustle doesn’t have to be the drug that runs your life. You can detox. You can shift. You can reclaim your ambition and make it meaningful again.

Start simple:

• Practice ruthless rest. Treat time to recharge as non-negotiable, not optional.

• Limit your yes. Only commit to what aligns with your purpose more than your pride.

• Feed your soul and body. Reflection, exercise, and joy aren’t luxuries — they’re fuel.

• Name your season. Be honest about where your energy is going right now, and when it needs to shift.

• Answer yourself honestly. Don’t deflect with busyness – take time to really ask, “How am I doing?” and sit with the truth.

Your drive will get you moving. But your drive alone won’t get you home. Ambition can fuel the sprint, but only selflessness sustains the marathon. Your hustle might make you hot for a season, but selfless ambition will keep you effective for a lifetime.

About the Author

Henry Sanders is the CEO of Madison365 and founder of the 365 Leadership Summit, Wisconsin’s premier gathering of diverse leaders, returning Nov. 3. He also writes The Selfless Way™, a leadership column helping leaders grow with clarity, conviction, and character. Don’t miss the 365 Leadership Summit on Nov. 3—visit 365LeadershipSummit.org to register.

The Selfless List: Six leaders who put people before platform

When people ask me what selfless leadership looks like, I don’t want to just give theory. I want to point to real names and real faces. Because leadership isn’t an idea—it’s a life lived out in front of others.

The world celebrates leaders who are loud, flashy, and platform-driven. But some of the most powerful leadership is happening quietly—in gyms, schools, hospitals, churches, and communities—by people who don’t make headlines, but who are making an impact.

These are leaders who embody what I call selfless ambition: choosing people over platform, character over charisma, and service over status.

Here are five leaders I see living this out in powerful ways right now, all in the Madison area.

Mike Moh — LVLUP Martial Arts 

Step into Mike Moh’s martial arts academy and you’ll see more than training—you’ll see a culture of respect and character that flows through everything he does. From young kids to older adults, his students are shaped not just as athletes but as people. Some of his younger students even step up to teach others, because he’s created a space where everyone can contribute. One of the most powerful examples? He has inspired members with special needs to not only participate but also compete in martial arts tournaments. That’s what happens when a leader believes in people’s potential more than their limitations.

Tia Sierra — Principal, Lighthouse School

In a city where too many schools have been written off, Tia Sierra has refused to give up on kids who others counted out. Under her leadership, Lighthouse has become one of the top-performing schools in Madison. Her belief that every child has potential worth pouring into has been transformative—not just for students, but for their families and the wider community. Her leadership is proof that high expectations plus relentless care can change outcomes for generations.

Shiva Bidar-Sielaff — Community Leader

Few people have left fingerprints on as many parts of Madison as Shiva Bidar-Sielaff. From corporate boardrooms to nonprofits to higher education, she has invested her life in building bridges across the community. Her leadership hasn’t been about drawing attention to herself—it’s been about lifting others up and making the community stronger. Madison looks different today because of her willingness to give her all for others.

Ashley & Jon McNary — Pastors, Heartland Church

Some leaders stand out because of their consistency over time. Ashley and Jon McNary are that kind of couple. For years, they’ve been quietly and faithfully serving the Sun Prairie community. From leading “A Night to Remember” (an unforgettable prom night experience for people with special needs) to organizing community gift drives, their impact has been steady, compassionate, and marked by excellence. In a world that often chases quick results, they show what long-haul faithfulness looks like.

Kaleem Caire — Founder & CEO, One City Schools

Kaleem Caire didn’t just talk about investing in youth—he built an entire school system to do it. And he did it right in the neighborhood where he grew up. One City Schools is more than an institution; it’s a vision lived out, rooted in creativity and perseverance. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but Kaleem’s passion for the next generation has never wavered. His work reminds us that true leadership is about legacy, not just success.

This isn’t a complete list. In fact, it’s just the beginning. I could name many more—including leaders like Dr. Willie Wilson in Chicago, whose story of radical generosity I’ll be writing about soon.

But I also want to hear from you. Who do you see leading selflessly in your neighborhood, your school, your company, your city? Send me a message at hsanders@madison365.org. I want to keep building this list together.

Because the truth is: selfless leadership isn’t just for a few. It’s a movement we can all be part of. And movements start small—quiet acts of service, everyday sacrifices—that ripple further than we imagine.

About the Author

Henry Sanders is the CEO of Madison365 and founder of the 365 Leadership Summit, Wisconsin’s premier gathering of diverse leaders, returning Nov. 3. He also writes The Selfless Way™, a leadership column helping leaders grow with clarity, conviction, and character. Don’t miss the 365 Leadership Summit on Nov. 3—visit 365LeadershipSummit.org to register.

The Selfless Way: Start scared. Lead anyway.

One person’s belief. One idea. One person’s conviction that their vision matters. That’s all it takes to overcome fear and make an impact in the world.

The other day, a friend texted me about starting a business to help women feel seen, heard, and empowered. She had the idea, the name, the mission, and a lifetime of experience behind her. But then came the real question:

“I’m scared. Were you ever scared? How do you get over the fear when starting something?”

I paused before replying because I knew this wasn’t just about fear. It was about whether being one person was enough.

That’s the burden of faith in leadership: believing you are enough to take the first step, even when your impact feels small. We tell ourselves we’re not big enough, not loud enough, not ready enough. But here’s the truth:

You don’t need permission to begin.
You don’t need perfection to make progress.
And you don’t need an audience to make an impact.

Most people underestimate what one person can do when they move with focus and conviction.

When I started Madison365, I was terrified. I had a newborn at home and was about to walk away from a stable job and steady paycheck. I didn’t have a journalism degree. I didn’t even have media experience. What I did have was a deep conviction that every community deserved to be seen and every voice deserved to be heard.

The choice wasn’t safe. It wasn’t perfect. But it was necessary. We launched as a nonprofit because we wanted the community to own it. We were mocked for that decision. Competitors said it would never last.

Yet ten years later, Madison365 is still here. Not because the fear disappeared, but because we moved forward through the fear. One idea. One person. And two others who believed enough to join in.

That’s the part we don’t talk about enough: change rarely starts with a crowd. It starts with one person making one bold choice.

History is filled with people who started small and made a big difference. The teacher who decides every child matters, even when the system says otherwise. The single mom who works three jobs to create opportunities for her kids. The entrepreneur who sees a gap in the market and chooses to fill it instead of waiting for someone else.

Mother Teresa wasn’t famous when she began. She was just a schoolteacher in Calcutta who walked past people suffering on the streets until she couldn’t ignore it anymore. From her quiet acts of love, an entire movement of service was born.

Steve Jobs wasn’t a household name when he started either. He simply believed technology could feel human — intuitive, elegant, accessible. He followed that one idea until the world caught up.

Different stories. Same truth. Real change starts with a single conviction acted on with courage.

Fear will always be there. The greater danger isn’t failing — it’s never becoming who you were meant to be.

When we ignore that inner pull to act, we’re not just delaying a dream. We’re denying the impact it could have on others. The second you move, you give others permission to move too. Courage is contagious.

So if you’re scared? Good. That means you’re awake. If you’re nervous? That means you care. But if you’re waiting for the perfect moment? You’ll be waiting forever.

Perfection isn’t the starting line. Movement is.

Here’s where to begin:

• Identify one challenge or opportunity you’re ready to tackle.

• Take one small step today — no matter how tiny. Progress comes from doing, not just planning.

• Reach out to someone who believes in you and can push you forward.

• Set a clear deadline for your first move.

• Celebrate progress, not perfection.

Momentum builds from small wins. Each step lays the foundation for the next.

So start the thing. Build the business. Speak the truth. Make the call. Write the policy. Stand your ground.

That’s how every meaningful change begins — not with certainty, but with conviction.

The world doesn’t just need more leaders. It needs more people who believe that one is enough. One person can shift culture. One voice can spark change. One choice can turn fear into impact.

About the author

Henry Sanders is the CEO of Madison365, founder of the 365 Leadership Summit, and an executive coach who helps leaders navigate transitions, build trust, and lead with lasting impact — not just surface-level performance. Just stepped into a new leadership role — or preparing for one? Start with a free 15-minute Leadership Audit: a no-pressure session designed to help you clarify your next 100 days and lead with presence, not panic. To schedule your session or learn more about executive coaching, email Henry@365nation.com.

The Selfless Way: Leadership is a contact sport

Before I became a CEO and executive coach, I was a boxer. Not a hobbyist. A real one. Regional amateur champion. Long hours. Real hits. Bloody noses. Quiet wins. Humbling losses.

And while I never expected boxing to follow me into boardrooms, coaching sessions, and leadership retreats, it did. Because leadership, like boxing, isn’t just about talent. It’s about toughness.

Not the kind that shows up on posters or in highlight reels. I’m talking about resilience — the kind that keeps you getting back up when everything in you says to stay down.

The First 100 Days: Leading with presence, not performance

Everything had gone to plan. You did the work. You got the job. Now what?

Everyone talks about the first 100 days in a new leadership role — but no one talks about how overwhelming that time can really be. That’s true for any leadership role, from a newly elevated Fortune 500 CEO to someone in their first management role at a small business.

I recently helped a high-profile executive prepare for a new leadership role in a different state. The hiring committee had bought into his vision, his goals, and his leadership style. On paper, it looked like the perfect fit.

But by the end of Week One, he was already overwhelmed. By Day 15, isolated.

The inbox was full. The calendar was packed. And despite his clarity going in, the pressure to perform quickly started replacing the purpose that got him there in the first place.

If he hadn’t walked into the role with a clear, strategic 100-day plan, he likely would’ve defaulted to survival mode. Instead, he had a strategy that helped him stay focused, grounded, and proactive.

There’s a lot of hype around “hitting the ground running.” But here’s the truth: Speed without strategy leads to misalignment. And misalignment can cost you trust, clarity, and momentum.

In nearly every leadership transition I’ve seen, four common blind spots show up early. In a world obsessed with speed and visibility, grounded leaders choose a different way. These four anchors won’t just get you through the first 100 days — they’ll shape the kind of leadership that actually lasts.

1. Presence Before Performance

Before you lead a team, shape a strategy, or cast a vision — pause. Not to prove, but to become present. Real leadership begins in awareness: Who are you becoming? What’s driving you? What’s the bigger story beneath the noise? The pressure to perform will be loud.

Performance without presence leads to burnout, disconnection, and shallow impact. Presence, on the other hand, builds trust. It creates space for truth. It reminds you why you’re here.

Then comes the silent thief: impostor syndrome. It sneaks in when leaders try to mimic others instead of leading authentically. You might feel pressure to fit into the existing culture, but don’t let the culture dictate his leadership style. Take the time to understand the culture deeply, then guide it toward a healthier version that honors your true voice. 

2. Listen Before You Speak

In his first 100 days, your words matter less than your posture. Every room you enter is holding tension, expectation, and unspoken history — like a table already set before he arrives.

Don’t rush to fix. Don’t rush to impress. Ask better questions. Stay curious. Let people feel heard — especially the ones who rarely are. Listening is more than strategy. It’s how leaders build trust, and how teams reveal truths.

3. Build Trust, Not Influence

People can feel the difference between someone who’s performing what they think leadership looks like, and someone who’s consistently leading. In the first 100 days, great leaders don’t just say the right things — they do them. That’s how cultures shift — not with slogans, but with daily choices that build credibility.

Here’s the reality: no one leads alone. Every great leader needs great managers and a culture that empowers them. Leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself. It’s about building a system where trust runs deep, execution is shared, and accountability is everyone’s job.

4. Protect the Culture, Not the Calendar

You were brought in to lead, but you also inherited something. Maybe it’s healthy. Maybe it’s broken. He needs to pay attention to what’s already growing beneath the surface: how people treat each other, how conflict is avoided or handled, how truth moves (or doesn’t).

If your calendar is full but the culture is toxic, you’re not leading. You’re managing chaos. The culture will either support your leadership or silently erode it. Either way, it’s shaping your impact, whether you’re paying attention or not. The best leaders build environments that support long-term resilience over short-term results.

In that recent executive transition, his 100-day plan included one non-negotiable: stakeholder engagement.

His team created a list of key internal and external people to meet with. But he didn’t stop there. He did his own research to identify additional voices he might not think to include: staff at all levels, community leaders outside the usual circles, and stakeholders with honest opinions about the organization.

He looked for themes. He asked consistent questions across every department, so he could identify patterns, blind spots, and culture gaps. He wasn’t just introducing himself as a new leader. He was listening for insight. Listening for truth. Listening for what might be broken, and what might be beautiful if it were better supported.

Externally, the goal was trust-building, but also truth-finding. Those conversations reflected racial, cultural, and generational diversity — because if your leadership plan is built only on what insiders say, he’s leading an echo chamber.

The most effective leaders know that a big part of the job — especially in those first 100 days — is putting out fires. The key to success beyond those 100 days, though, is not to react to problems, but understand the patterns behind them. By the end of those first 100 days, you should have a much clearer picture: What fires remain? Where do they keep flaring up? And why haven’t they been addressed until now?

Sometimes, the fire points to a system failure. Sometimes, it exposes a leadership gap. Sometimes, it reveals a culture that avoids conflict. Whatever the root cause, you need to pay attention to what’s burning and decide whether you’re just managing problems, or truly leading change.

There’s a real temptation in the first 100 days to prove yourself. To perform. To justify the hire and show you belong.

But the most grounded leaders don’t lead from performance. They lead from clarity, purpose, and conviction. They know who they are, and they stay aligned even when the pressure mounts. They don’t just want to look good in the role. They want to be effective for the people they serve.

And that kind of leadership? It doesn’t happen by accident. It takes preparation. Reflection. Courage.

The first 100 days can define or derail your leadership. Don’t just perform. Lead with clarity, presence, and purpose — and build the kind of leadership that lasts.

About the Author
Henry Sanders is the CEO of Madison365, founder of the 365 Leadership Summit, and an executive coach who helps leaders navigate transitions, build trust, and lead with lasting impact — not just surface-level performance.

Just stepped into a new leadership role — or preparing for one? Start with a free 15-minute Leadership Audit: a no-pressure session designed to help you clarify your next 100 days and lead with presence, not panic.

To schedule your session or learn more about executive coaching, email Henry@365nation.com.