By Molly McGee Hewitt, PhD, CAE
Have you ever heard someone describe their leadership philosophy or explain how they do business, only to quickly see that their actions tell a very different story? Leaders who “talk a good game” but fail to walk their talk quickly lose the trust, respect, and support of their teams and followers.
Walking our talk is about living authentically in every aspect of our lives. From how we treat our families, how we engage in our communities, and how we show up at work is evidence of our leadership. For example, I once worked for a leader who spoke constantly about accountability. Yet deadlines were routinely missed, and established policies and procedures were often ignored. Accountability was demanded of staff but not modeled at the top. The result was high turnover, low morale, and a culture of frustration. It was a powerful reminder that leadership standards must begin with the leader.
Walking our talk is not always easy. Sometimes, our words sound great and we believe them at the time, but life intervenes. We preach one thing and end up delivering a separate message. Many times, no one calls us on this discrepancy, and we may not even notice that we are not in alignment with own words. Sometimes, we may even extend courtesy to ourselves and grace for our failings while we refuse to share that forgiveness with others!
Leadership requires more of us. It demands self-awareness and emotional intelligence that start with looking inward. Reflection, honesty, and intentional thought are essential. The more senior you are in leadership, the less people may want to share concerns or challenges with you about you! That makes personal accountability and self-monitoring even more critical.
Personally, I find that journaling is a good way for me to reflect. I will take an issue or a challenge and try to write out my thoughts or concerns. I ask myself some questions that only I can answer. For example, did I add to this issue or did I show leadership? Did I expect more from others than I contributed? Was I clear in my communication? Did I listen to other people? Did I keep my word and did I keep commitment? Holding myself accountable enables me to understand how I lead and to acknowledge what I need to work on!
Another powerful way to strengthen leadership is through collaboration with other leaders. Engaging in our industry and participating in state and national associations creates opportunities to connect with peers who face similar challenges. Having trusted peers and colleagues where you can share and honestly address issues is priceless. I am blessed to have that in both my personal and professional life! These professional colleagues offer me new perspectives and an honesty that enables me to improve and grow.
So, how about you? Are you walking your talk as a leader? December is a natural time for reflection, and an ideal moment to make thoughtful leadership commitments as we prepare for 2026.