I find immense joy in vast, expansive vistas—the sweeping views from Hawaii's beaches, the Irish coastline of Giant's Causeway, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the Italian dolomites, or the breathtaking scenery of Colorado's mountainside, which I call home. The promise of new possibilities and inspiration from fresh opportunities drive me forward. Every path I encounter unveils new adventures waiting to be explored. Like a child, I'm endlessly curious about what lies beyond the next corner, eager to discover the boundless wonders that await. As I write this book, I'm preparing to summit my final peaks this summer in the Colorado Rockies to finish all 58 14ers. It's been a journey of 20 years traversing the same mountain again and again, like Peak Pike, Mt Elbert, or Quandary Peak. For every ascent of elevation gain, there's the same descent reflecting a pattern of mountain climbing as well in life winding through peaks and valleys.
As a fellow explorer, entrepreneur, or leader, you can relate. Every effective leader has a vision, whether inspired by a dream, goal, or desire. Vision inspires and gives others something to aspire towards. Vision, seeing beyond the day-to-day demand, is essential for leading well. Setting direction gets everyone moving in the right direction. Yet, so often, in our pursuit of a vision, our scope exceeds our capacity, leaving us and others vulnerable. Stretch goals leave us perpetually stretched, rarely satisfied, and at the edge of exhaustion and burnout. That was my story as an emerging leader and entrepreneur, and it came with a cost. In hindsight, I needed more than a vision for my business; I needed a vision for growth and development to have the capacity to rise to the level of my vision. Today, I see leaders on the edge of their leadership. It's about leading ourselves before we can lead others.
Miracles: Embracing the Unpredictable
Straddling between faith and wisdom, I reflect on my 25-year entrepreneurial journey and see that there has yet to be a straight path. There have been so many twists and turns, ups and downs, and lessons learned the hard way. But I wouldn't have it any other way because those struggles and failures shaped me into the leader and person I am today.
In those early years, my business was truly a miracle-based operation. As that tough-loving CPA mentor of mine so bluntly put it - "Russell, you're in the miracle business." Sobered by his comment and counsel, in time, I realized he was absolutely right. As a smaller business owner, my success hung in the balance of my supply chain. I depended entirely on finding that perfect product at the ideal price and timing for each project. Talk about operating under extreme uncertainty and ambiguity!
Things often fell apart when the inventory didn't materialize, and I lost my shirt on deals because of the logistical costs of shipping and storage. I can't even count how many miracles I had to manifest through sheer grit and faith to keep that business afloat. But you know what? Those trying times taught me resilience, gratitude, and humility. They forced me to embrace the unpredictable nature of entrepreneurship. And critically, they opened my eyes to the beauty of uncertainty - those unexpected open doors that can completely change your trajectory when you least expect it.
Growing in a Cognitive Competency
A pivotal moment in my leadership journey came when I pursued a master's degree in leadership. When I approached Dr. Steve Young, the school dean, I expected a well-polished recruitment speech about the program's benefits. Instead, he surprised me with a profound observation: "Russell, you're already a leader."
His words stopped me in my tracks. If I was already a leader—successfully running a business, managing employees, serving customers, and supporting non-profit projects—why invest time and resources in formal education? What could academia offer that experience hadn't already taught me?
I was caught in a developmental gap, struggling with my insecurities as a poor student from high school and college, perhaps hoping to redeem my own "failings" in school. Yet, I was starving for development and growth, leading well beyond my capacity. Still, I was doing OK, so why did I need to go to school with my already packed schedule?
Dr. Young sensed my cognitive dissonance and offered clarity that would change my perspective forever: "Russell, if you want to grow in a cognitive competence in how you're gifted so you can be more effective in your leadership, then we can help you."
This simple framing transformed my understanding of leadership development. I realized that leadership isn't just about doing leadership acts but developing a cognitive framework—a mental model that allows us to interpret complex situations, make better decisions, and ultimately lead with greater wisdom and effectiveness. Growing cognitive competency means developing the mental frameworks that will enable us to see patterns, anticipate challenges, and design solutions that others might miss. It's about moving from reactive leadership—constantly putting out fires—to proactive leadership that prevents fires from starting in the first place. This cognitive development became a pathway toward self-leadership. Before I could effectively lead others, I needed to master leading myself through developing disciplined thought patterns, challenging my assumptions, and expanding my understanding of leadership principles.
Models: Creating Roadmaps for Growth
Eventually, I realized that in running a miracle-based business, more wisdom and prudence were needed to hedge against risks beyond my control. As another wise mentor advised, I needed to develop a sustainable model I could count on. That transition required even more faith, as I had to tear down my old way of operating and rebuild it into something scalable and strategic. However, the lessons were invaluable - the importance of discipline, focusing on priorities, refining my value proposition, diligent planning, and investing relational equity with my clients. Shifting to a coaching/consulting model providing expertise rather than products was one of my career's most significant paradigm shifts.
Role Models and Working Models
Throughout my journey, I've come to appreciate the profound impact of models—both human role models and conceptual working models—on charting a course for personal and professional development.
Role models are examples of the principles and practices we aspire to embody. These mentors, coaches, and exemplars demonstrate excellence in action. Dr. Steve Young became such a model for me, showing unwavering commitment to developing leaders even in his most challenging moments. Through his example, I learned that authentic leadership transcends personal circumstances and focuses on empowering others.
Equally important are the working models—conceptual frameworks and systems—that provide structure to our growth journey. These models help us make sense of complex realities and offer pathways for development that might otherwise remain hidden. Whether the frameworks I learned during my master's studies or the coaching methodologies I've adopted in my practice, these models provide a language and structure for continuous improvement.
Together, role models and working models create a developmental roadmap that charts our growth from novice to expert, from reactive to proactive, and from chaos to order. They help us see where we are and where we can go next. They provide both inspiration (through the example of others) and instruction (through proven frameworks for development).
As leaders, we must actively seek out both types of models. We need mentors who embody the qualities we aspire to develop and frameworks that help us understand and navigate the complexities of leadership. The combination of these models creates a powerful catalyst for transformation and growth.
A Model for Self-Leadership - Defining Your Purpose to Inform Your Priorities
More than a decade ago, I embarked on a journey into professional coaching, fueled by a BlueSky mindset that saw endless possibilities in every opportunity. After transitioning my small business and starting my new venture, I dove headfirst into the world of coaching, eager to make a difference and explore its vast potential.
However, amidst the excitement of new beginnings, I soon became overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of choices. From workshops and seminars to consulting gigs and personal projects, the allure of new opportunities beckoned at every turn, threatening to divert my focus and dilute my efforts.
I learned that clarity of purpose serves as the ultimate filter for decision-making. When your purpose is clearly defined, priorities naturally fall into place. Like Dave, who I mentioned in our coaching session, many of us struggle with feeling overwhelmed, reactive, and constantly on the brink of burnout. But when we reconnect with our core purpose, we gain the clarity to distinguish between what's merely urgent and truly important.
Purpose-driven leadership begins with five essential principles:
Living Daily with Purpose: Aligning your actions with your overarching goals and values ensures that your decisions are driven by your long-term vision rather than short-term pressures.
Declaring Your Values: Clarity of values is a compass to navigate life's complexities with integrity and authenticity.
Being Proactive About Priorities: Proactively identifying and prioritizing your most important tasks and commitments prevents being swept away by the moment's demands.
Building Life-Long Relationships: Investing in meaningful relationships that nourish personal and professional growth creates a network of trust and collaboration that sustains you through challenges and triumphs.
Not Settling for Secondary Things: True fulfillment comes from pursuing excellence rather than settling for mediocrity.
Time to Focus - The Power of "No"
Working as a coach who needed a coach. My coach got right to the root issue that perpetually had me running a mile wide and an inch thick. After a defining conversation, my coach presented me with a simple yet profound challenge: for every "Yes" I uttered, I must also articulate ten "Nos." At first, the task seemed daunting. How about I turn down nine promising opportunities for the sake of one? But as I delved deeper into the practice, I began to understand its inherent value.
The discipline of crafting a list of "Nos" forced me to confront my tendencies as a BlueSky thinker. It required me to pause, reflect, and evaluate each opportunity against my goals and values. Was this endeavor genuinely aligned with my vision? Did it have the potential to move me closer to my objectives? Or was it merely a distraction, enticing me with the allure of novelty?
As I embraced the power of "No," I discovered its transformative effect on my life and work. No longer bound by the tyranny of choice, I found clarity and focus amidst the chaos of endless possibilities. By prioritizing my best opportunities and learning to let go of the rest, I focused my energy on endeavors that genuinely mattered, yielding greater fulfillment and impact.
Yet, mastering the art of saying "No" is ongoing. Even after a decade of practice, I continue to grapple with the temptation to chase after every shiny new opportunity. But with each passing day, I grow more adept at discerning between what is merely exemplary and what is truly great. I have realized that putting first things first requires discipline and the willingness to let go of even good things in pursuit of what is better and best.
Mastery: The Pursuit of Excellence
Even after establishing a solid model, I realized there was another summit to climb - the pursuit of true mastery. As my dear friend acknowledged, I had entered a "season of mastery" in my work. 25+ years in my career and turning the corner 50, his words stuck with me as I grappled with taking my coaching and leadership development craft to the highest level of artistry and excellence. Another mentor's quoting proverbs crystalized it for me: "The gift will make the way for the giver and usher them into the presence of the great." I had to ceaselessly work on honing my unique gift to achieve mastery.
The Journey to 10,000 Hours and Beyond
My journey toward mastery intensified post-Covid during my PhD studies, focusing on Industrial Organizational Psychology from 2021-2024. As a parallel course pursuing the International Coaching Federation's Master Certified Coach (MCC) credential. The MCC designation represents the pinnacle of coaching expertise, requiring at least 2,500 documented coaching hours with clients. This parallels the journey of any master craftsperson deeply invested in their tradecraft.
Malcolm Gladwell popularized the concept that it takes roughly 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to achieve mastery in any field in his influential book "The Tipping Point." Twenty-five years later, in "The Revenge of the Tipping Point," Gladwell refines this concept, acknowledging that while quantity matters, the quality and intentionality of practice are equally important.
Pursuing mastery in coaching and leadership development has taught me that actual expertise goes beyond mere accumulation of hours. It requires deliberate practice, continuous feedback, and the humility to recognize that mastery is not a destination but an ongoing journey.
As Daniel Pink articulates in his book "Drive," mastery is one of three essential elements of intrinsic motivation, alongside purpose and autonomy. Pursuing mastery—the desire to improve at something that matters—drives us to push beyond competence toward excellence. It's not about external rewards but the deep satisfaction that comes from continuous improvement and the joy of the craft.
That journey towards world-class mastery has been humbling and challenging. There's a never-ending loop of continuous learning required. Anytime I think I've reached the mountain peak, I realize there's an even higher summit. True masters, as I've learned, never lose the humility to keep striving and growing. But it's also been the most rewarding path, finally finding that deep sense of joy and fulfillment that comes from operating at the highest craftsman level of your work.
The Legacy of a Master Developer
I cannot reflect on mastery without honoring Dr. Steve Young's profound impact on my development as a leader. While I was completing my seminary education, Steve was fighting a battle with cancer. Despite his illness and the physical toll of treatment, he chose to proctor my final coursework from his hospital bed.
This extraordinary dedication exemplified Steve's commitment to developing leaders, which persisted until the very end of his life. Even facing his mortality, he remained focused on helping others grow. He modeled mastery: not a self-centered pursuit of excellence but a generous investment in others' potential.
Steve believed in me and my leadership model when I was still finding my way. He gave me a vision for my development that extended far beyond what I could see for myself. His legacy lives on in the leaders he developed, including me, and in the leaders, we, in turn, develop.
The Continuous Cycle
So here I am today, still bouncing between those seasons of miracles, models, and mastery at different points. It's an agile, meandering journey without any final destination. I've had to embrace the uncertainties and failures, analyze where I went off-track, realign myself through strategic shifts, and always keep climbing towards the next level of excellence.
I share these vulnerable reflections to illustrate that there is no linear path to success. We're constantly moving between those seasons, learning and growing. Leadership development is not a straight line but a spiral that revisits familiar territories at deeper levels of understanding and competence.
The journey from reactive to proactive leadership, chaos to order, and competence to mastery requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to embrace the miracles and models that shape our growth. It demands that we say "no" to distractions so we can say "yes" to what matters most. It calls us to define our purpose clearly so our priorities naturally align. And it invites us to pursue mastery not for our glory, but for the impact, we can have on others.
As you reflect on your leadership journey, consider:
Where in your leadership journey are you experiencing miracles, developing models, or pursuing mastery? How might embracing each of these phases enhance your effectiveness as a leader?
What cognitive competencies must you develop to move from reactive to proactive leadership? Who might serve as a role model and a guide in this process?
What is the vision for your development as a leader? What would it look like for you to achieve mastery in your unique gifts and calling?
The winding road of leadership development invites us all to embrace the journey with courage, humility, and a commitment to continuous growth. May your path be filled with miracles that inspire faith, models that provide direction, and a pursuit of mastery that leaves a lasting legacy.