🪞 Mirror, Mirror On The Wall…Why Aren’t Leaders Better?

We’ve got speakers, books, courses, TED Talks, LinkedIn gurus, and probably a squirrel somewhere teaching leadership on TikTok.
So WHY, with all this brilliance floating around, aren’t leaders better?

Let’s break it down. And just so you know…it might sting a little.

🧱 1. The Status Quo Machine

Most organizations pick future leaders the same way:
👉 “Hey, you think like me, act like me, and won’t rock the boat…perfect!”

This is how the same leadership style gets recycled for years.
If you keep choosing people who are “just like us,” you’ll keep getting…well…exactly the same results.

Leaders, take a risk: hire someone who disagrees with you.
Wild concept, I know.

🎯 2. No Purpose = No Power

If you don’t know your purpose as a leader, you’re basically running a marathon with your shoes tied together.

Your purpose should guide:

Your decisions
Your conversations
How you treat people
How you show up when things get messy

If you’re out of alignment, own it, clean it up, move on.

✨ My purpose: “Creating possibilities for individuals and organizations to become extraordinary.”
(And yes, that means telling the truth even when it’s uncomfortable.)

😬 3. FEP: The Silent Leadership Killer

FEP = Fear. Ego. Pride.
A charming, but dysfunctional trio that should not be driving anyone’s leadership decisions—but often does.

FEP says:

“Don’t tell staff the truth…they’ll panic!”
“Don’t admit mistakes…you’re the boss!”
“Don’t ask for help…you’re supposed to KNOW everything!”

Spoiler: none of that leads to extraordinary leadership.
Coaching, therapy, books, training—in this day and age, they’re not optional. They’re survival.

💛 4. Authenticity (Yes, People Can Smell It)

Employees know when you’re faking it.
Customers know when you’re faking it.
Even your dog knows when you’re faking it.

Inauthentic leaders don’t get effort, trust, or loyalty.
Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s currency.
If you want people to follow you, let them see the real you…even the messy parts.

🎓 5. Training That Actually Sticks

Great leadership training isn’t a slideshow, a TED clip, and a breakout room where one guy overshares.

The best training includes:
✔ Hands-on practice
✔ Real conversations
✔ Teaching what you’re learning
✔ Safe places to experiment and fail

Retention skyrockets when people do instead of just listen.

If your training doesn’t let people practice leading…it’s not leadership training.

🚀 So... Why Aren’t Leaders Better?

Because becoming a great leader takes:

Self-awareness
Purpose
Risk
Honesty
Practice
And actual work

The good news? We can start fixing that.
Yes—we. Right now.

👉 Your Call to Action

If you’re serious about becoming the leader your team actually deserves:

Challenge your status quo
Name your purpose
Check your FEP at the door
Show up authentically
Get, and provide training that transforms, not tranquilizes

And if you want support?
My book, coaching, and leadership programs are designed to help leaders step up, not blend in.

You can check it out at Herky's Website

Let’s create extraordinary—starting today.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall