Imagine a restless child in church, pacing back and forth, unable to sit still in the pew. I could hear people whispering about my “bad behavior,” without knowing me. No one knew, for instance, that I have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), that I get bored easily, and that as a child it was much harder for me. I was the class clown, always seeking the spotlight, and invariably labeled as the one who didn’t know how to behave.
But instead of receiving a scolding, a parish priest extended his hand and said, “Come with me.” In that moment, without realizing it, I was having my first great lesson in leadership.
What I did know was that music made me happy, ever since I was a child
What began as a simple task to keep me occupied—being an altar boy—became my first leadership role. What seemed like a routine activity turned into the responsibility of organizing and directing a group of 32 altar servers. Since then, each stage of my life has taught me something new about what it means to lead: first in church, then in school, later as a father, entrepreneur, and mentor.
But I didn’t always have clarity about what kind of leader I wanted to be, only that I would give my best to do it well, especially as the father my children would need at each stage.
Leading Is Not Just Commanding
I’ve always been a person of initiative. Throughout my career, I never lacked followers… but neither did I lack detractors. I was the boss, yes, but did I truly inspire? Were people following me because they wanted to or because they had no other choice?
This questioning led me to study John Maxwell’s Leadership Scale, which divides leadership into five levels:
- Position: People follow you because they have to.
- Permission: They follow you because they like you and trust you.
- Production: They follow you because of the results you generate.
- People Development: They follow you because you help them grow.
- Pinnacle: They follow you because of what you represent and who you are.
When I understood this, something inside me changed. I realized that I had spent much of my life leading from the first levels, from position and results, but not necessarily from genuine inspiration.
It was at that moment, what I call my midlife awakening, when I decided to change my approach. I didn’t want people to follow me just because I was the owner of a company or because I had financial success. I wanted to impact lives, develop people, and lead with purpose.
I recommend my blog: What Makes a Leader?
Leadership Is a Daily Choice
A leader is not defined by their title, but by their actions. Being a true leader means deciding each day to listen more than you speak, to understand before judging, and to serve before demanding.
I learned that to lead is to serve, and serving means:
- Active listening: Not just hearing, but understanding the concerns, aspirations, and needs of my team.
- Having empathy: Putting myself in another’s shoes, whether an employee, a partner, or a client.
- Nurturing trust: Trust is the pillar of leadership; once lost, it’s difficult to regain.
- Developing people: A true leader is not measured by how many employees they have, but by how many lives they impact.
For me, servant leadership is the key to transcendence. I understood that my role as a mentor and entrepreneur was not just to generate results, but to train others to do so as well.
I invite you to read: What Is Leading with Empathy?
Leading Leaders: The Greatest Challenge
One of the biggest challenges I faced was leading other leaders. It’s not the same to lead people you hire as it is to lead entrepreneurs with their own businesses. How do you convince someone to follow you when they don’t have to?
This is where effective communication and vulnerability played a key role. Instead of imposing authority, I learned to connect through authenticity. I allowed myself to be human, real, and transparent—something that in the business world is often seen as a weakness, but which is actually a great strength.
The True Success of a Leader
Throughout my journey, I’ve learned that leadership is not a destination but a path of constant evolution. It’s not about how many businesses you founded or how many employees you had, but about how many people you helped grow.
Today, my goal is not just to be a successful entrepreneur, but to reach the highest level of leadership: the pinnacle, where people follow you not out of obligation, but out of genuine respect and admiration.
I want to become a leader who inspires, who helps others grow, and who creates communities. If at the end of my life I have impacted enough people, then I will have fulfilled my purpose.
What kind of leader do you want to be?
