Leadership and Laundry
Leadership isn’t a trophy. It’s a To-Do list you’ll never finish. Let’s be honest: if you’re waiting to “arrive” as a leader, pack a lunch—you’ll be waiting a while.
Leadership isn’t a medal ceremony. It’s more like laundry: it keeps coming, it’s usually inconvenient, and right when you think you’re done, there’s another pile of socks called feedback.
The best leaders I know don’t have it all figured out. They’ve just learned to keep showing up—wrinkled, uncertain, sometimes under-caffeinated—but willing to keep trying.
Here are two truths worth carrying with you (preferably in a coffee-stained notebook).
1. Don’t Just Wave the Flag—Share the Map
Every leader loves a rally cry. “We’re climbing the mountain!” Great. Which mountain? And are we bringing snacks? Your team doesn’t need more hype—they need more clarity. They want to know why this climb matters, what trail we’re on, and what happens when we hit fog.
Try saying things like:
“Here’s why we’re aiming for X—and what might change if we get there.”
“This is the map as we see it today. It’ll probably need redrawing by Thursday.”
“We’ll know we’re moving the right way when A starts working and B stops catching fire.”
It’s amazing what happens when people actually know where they’re going. Fear drops. Ownership rises. You spend less time putting out fires and more time building something that lasts. Because when your team can see the map, they stop waiting for permission and start walking with purpose. What “map” have you been holding in your head that your team still doesn’t see?
2. Lead From the Middle, Not the Balcony
There’s a myth that leadership happens from above—like a balcony seat with a clipboard and commentary. Wrong. Real leadership happens in the middle of the noise—where the work is unfinished and the coffee is cold. The best leaders don’t helicopter in for a “quick culture check.” They pull up a chair, ask real questions, and listen like it’s their job (because, well… it is).
Try this:
Ask, “What’s something you wish I noticed sooner?” and don’t interrupt.
Admit mistakes before someone else brings them up.
Celebrate out loud. Correct in private.
Be the kind of leader who laughs first—especially when it’s your fault.
It’s amazing how much trust you build when your team realizes you’re not playing a character—you’re just human, trying to do this well. Where could you trade distance for presence this week?
The Beautiful Mess of Being Unfinished
Here’s the truth: you will get it wrong. You’ll misread a moment, send the wrong email, forget someone’s name. You’ll look at your leadership some days and think, “How am I still bad at this?”
Good. That’s the point.
The best leaders aren’t the ones who nail it every time. They’re the ones who keep growing, keep laughing, and keep asking better questions. They don’t hide their mess—they lead through it. Leadership isn’t about getting to the top of the mountain with perfect hair. It’s about turning around halfway up, extending a hand, and saying, “Let’s keep climbing. I’m still figuring this out, too.”
You don’t have to be a finished leader to be a faithful one. You just have to be a little braver tomorrow than you were today. Keep showing up. Keep refining. Keep leading unfinished.
Try This Today
Take two minutes and write down one thing that’s still unfinished in your leadership—something messy, something in process. Then, instead of hiding it, share it with your team.
You might be surprised how freeing it is when the people you lead realize they’re following someone human—someone in progress, not pretending to be perfect.
And if this resonates, send it to another leader who could use a reminder that “unfinished” isn’t a flaw. It’s the point.