Some of the most formative leadership lessons I learned in 2025 did not come from leadership books.
They came from stories.
From reading about the building of Saturday Night Live in Lorne. From understanding the cultural development behind Broadway. From the grit-filled stories of everyday runners in the New York City Marathon in a Race Like No Other. From reflecting on the quiet power of movement in A Philosophy of Walking.
None of these books was written as a leadership manual. And yet, each one shaped how I think about leadership.
This episode is about that idea.
Leadership is building blocks. It rarely starts with a polished blueprint. It begins with a vision, a disorienting moment, or simply a step taken forward when clarity is limited. Over time, those steps form something more substantial than we could see in the moment.
In seasons that felt hazy this past year, I had to remind myself that I was still laying blocks. Even if I couldn’t see the full structure forming. Even if the next step felt small. Sometimes the most important work is simply taking the block that is closest to you and placing it well.
Stories helped me see that more clearly.
They reminded me that environments shape us. That culture is built intentionally. That grit is often quiet. That reflection often happens in motion. And that leadership is formed in everyday spaces long before it is recognized publicly.
This episode is an invitation to read differently. To pay attention to value systems in stories. To notice how characters respond to adversity. To observe how systems are built and sustained. To allow even a “fun” book to shape your leadership imagination.
If you are navigating a disorienting season, perhaps the next step is not about gaining more clarity for yourself. Perhaps it is about serving someone else. Encouraging someone. Mentoring someone. Showing up faithfully in the space you are already in.
Leadership is not paused during transition. It is practiced differently.
As always, thank you for learning alongside me.Books Referenced in This Episode
* A Race Like No Other by Liz Robbins
* A Philosophy of Walking by Frédéric Gros
