You only live once but if you do it right, once is enough

Not all leaders lead the same way. And that’s the beauty of it.

Over the years, through different roles, teams, and transitions, I have had the chance to observe and learn from a range of leadership styles. Some leaders bring structure, some spark vision, others build trust by simply showing up consistently.

What stood out was not one perfect way of leading, but the ability to understand what the moment calls for. Some leaders move fluidly across styles. Others stay anchored in what comes naturally. But when we begin to recognize these different approaches, not just in ourselves, but in our teams, we become better at creating balance.

In high performing teams, leadership is not a one size fits all. You need different traits to lead transformation, build trust, scale teams, and drive impact.

Here is a simple framework of four leadership archetypes based on my experience. This is not a model to label anyone. It is a way to spark reflection on –

How do I lead?
When does it work?
When doesn’t it?

🧭 The Compass Leader – provides strategic clarity and consistent direction.
🪞The Mirror Leader – reflects the team’s voice and builds a culture of feedback.
⚓️ The Anchor Leader – grounds teams with stability, trust, and calm in complexity.
🔥 The Flame Leader – ignites passion, drives momentum, and energizes transformation.

Each of these styles plays a unique role in shaping how teams perform, adapt, and thrive especially in dynamic environments.

Over the next posts, I will go deeper into each archetype, what it looks like, where it shines, the pitfalls, and how to build a team that blends these strengths.

Whether you are leading from the front or shaping culture behind the scenes, I hope this sparks reflection on your own style and how we can lead more intentionally together.