The birth of my leadership vision

My first job, at 13, was as a kitchen porter at a hotel. It was also my first experience with poor leadership. I quickly realized that not all business owners or managers were strong leaders. I often wondered how the business managed to be successful when the staff constantly complained about the work environment and leadership.

As I got older and reflected on this experience, I came to understand that the hotel's success was not due to the business owner, but rather to the leadership of the head chef. In my youth, I assumed the owner, as the person in charge, was responsible for leading the team. But with time, I realized that wasn’t the case. The head chef, though not highly educated, was incredibly likeable and had a gift for connecting with people. His communication skills earned him the respect and loyalty of both the staff and the customers.

It became clear how essential his natural leadership was when he left the hotel and the business quickly began to decline. He was a natural leader, someone I admired as a teenager.

Looking back, this experience taught me important lessons about leadership—both good and bad—and how it impacts business. It showed me that a business can thrive when mid-level managers have strong leadership skills. This realization is one of the reasons I founded the Stoic Leadership Academy. My business focuses primarily on educating and training mid-level management to develop the influence and skills necessary to thrive in the workplace.

However, I also recognize the need to address poor leadership at the top. That’s why I also offer training and coaching for business owners, entrepreneurs, and senior management, ensuring leadership excellence at all levels.