THE LADDER OR THE TABLE – WHAT IS YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE?
I’ve worked for, with, and alongside all kinds of leaders over the past 25 years.
Some were kind and curious.
Others were creative and bold.
Some were warm and open.
Others were cold and closed.
The leaders who shaped me — who genuinely nurtured me — were the ones who led with empathy, collaboration, and clarity.
They put heartbeats above headcounts. They coached. They asked questions. They held space. They made work feel like something more than KPI-chasing and inbox-clearing.
They made work feel human.
They made teamwork feel purposeful.
Here’s what I know:
I never could and never will lead with an iron fist. I’m not here to strive for power or position over others, or to climb an invisible ladder only to look down and realise I’m alone at the proverbial top.
I’m a storyteller. A data nerd. A people-person through and through. And, I believe in the magic of co-creation — of walking beside people instead of above them.
Because here’s the truth:
You can’t win at business.
You can’t win at legacy.
And you definitely can’t win at connection.
I often wonder why so many leadership models still centre on individual success, hierarchy, and hollow accolades?
Too often we’re told to focus on the climb. We spend our lives and careers chasing titles, competing for bonuses, and elbowing our way to the top of a ladder that was built by someone else, for someone else.
A ladder that often leads to unhappiness. A ladder that doesn’t account for intersectionality which includes the realities of women, people of colour, queer folks, neurodivergent minds, caregivers, or anyone who doesn’t fit the mould of “traditional leadership.”
I’ve been there. I’ve climbed upwards. Step by step, rung by rung, I fought the altitude by remaining grounded in PEOPLE. That’s because I’ve seen what that climb can cost. I’ve made it to the top of the wrong “buildings of success” only to climb back down to ground level and start again.
That is, until I chose a different way.
I chose purpose over profitability (though, both can exist concurrently!)
I chose quality of work over quantity.
I chose to measure my success by my own yardstick!
I don’t want to climb any ladder alone when I lead.
Nah, that’s not the point of life.
I want to build a table.
One long enough to seat all of the brilliant minds I work with and will work with in the future. One wide enough to hold tough conversations and joyful wins. One strong enough to carry shared vision and collective impact. One that means there’s enough to go around for everyone.
Like former Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario said:
“We need a new economy that puts humanity and the planet before profits. And we need leaders who live those values, not just post about them.”
And, like Beth Ford, CEO of Land O’Lakes, said so powerfully:
“I don’t want to be the smartest person in the room. I want the room to be full of smart people who feel safe enough to speak.”
That’s the leadership I aspire to: Safe. Smart. Shared.
Some Frameworks I Lead By
1. BRAVING (by Brené Brown)
Trust is the foundation of any high-performing team. And that trust is built through:
- Boundaries
- Reliability
- Accountability
- Vault-keeping (confidentiality)
- Integrity
- Non-judgment
- Generosity
I reference this all the time — in boardrooms, brainstorms, and one-on-ones. Because, trust isn’t fluffy; it’s strategic.
2. Psychological Safety (Google’s Project Aristotle)
High-performing teams aren’t the ones with the best résumés. They’re the ones where people feel safe to speak up, challenge ideas, and bring their full selves to the table.
3. Co-Creation Over Competition
I believe that together is better. Whether we’re storytelling, strategising, launching, or learning — collaboration always creates better outcomes than closed-door decisions.
4. The “First Mover” Mindset
Go first. Be bold. Break the pattern. Whether it’s admitting you don’t have the answer yet or championing someone who’s never had a seat at the table — first moves matter. They’re how we lead change.
So… Is It a Ladder or a Table for You?
Leadership isn’t about rising above.
It’s about reaching across.
It’s not about hoarding power.
It’s about sharing the mic.
It’s not about prestige, ego, or applause.
It’s about purpose, equity, and impact.
So I’ll ask again:
Are you climbing an invisible ladder… or building an infinite table?
Me? I choose the table.
Every time.
Because legacy isn’t measured in job titles or trophies.
It’s measured in lives touched, doors opened, and voices amplified.
And if I get to do this work beside a diverse, vibrant, whip-smart community of big-hearted humans?
Well, that’s success to me.