Leadership Crab

When I think about leadership, I don’t think about a title—I think about a choice.

Leadership is something you decide to be long before anyone ever calls you one.

Being a leader has completely shaped my life and personal success.

Leadership taught me discipline when I didn’t feel motivated.

It taught me consistency when quitting felt easier.

It taught me to serve instead of be served—and that shift changed everything.

I learned that when you care for people, build people, and lift people—success finds you.

Leadership didn’t just open doors for me—it built character inside me.

So… how do YOU become a leader?

Here’s the truth:

Leadership doesn’t start with followers.

Leadership starts with YOU.

1. Lead yourself first.

Show up on time. Honor your commitments. Do what you said you’d do.

Character before crowds.

2. Choose impact over popularity.

Not everyone will like your decisions—but leadership isn’t about being liked;it’s about doing what’s right.

3. Serve. Real leaders look for ways to help—not ways to be seen.

4. Fail forward. Mistakes don’t disqualify you; they train you.

Every setback prepares the next success when you don’t quit.

What does leadership mean to me?

Leadership means influence.

It means understanding that what I say, how I walk, and how I treat others is shaping someone who is watching—even when I don’t realize it.

Leadership isn’t about the loudest voice—it’s about the strongest heart.

It’s the courage to stand alone for what’s right and the humility to stand together for what’s good.

Now let me tell you about this idea I call being a “Leadership Crab.”

You’ve heard about crabs in a barrel—pulling each other down so nobody gets out.

A Leadership Crab does the opposite.

A Leadership Crab pulls UP, not down.

Encourages instead of criticizes.

Celebrates others instead of competing with them.

Reminds people of their greatness when they forget it themselves.

In a world quick to tear people down, be the one who builds people up.

And here’s one of the phrases that changed my life:

Maya Angelou said:

“People may not remember what you said.

They may not remember what you did.

But they will always remember how you made them feel.”

That’s leadership in one sentence.

Your legacy won’t be about your grades, your shoes, your followers, or your titles—

your legacy will be how you made people feel.

Did you make people feel seen?

Did you make people feel supported?

Did you make people feel stronger after encountering you?

Students, here’s my challenge to you:

Choose to be leaders—right where you are.

In your classrooms.

On your teams.

In your families.

Online.

And especially when nobody is watching.

Be the Leadership Crab who pulls others toward greatness.

Because the best leaders aren’t remembered for being popular—

they’re remembered for changing lives.

And remember:

Your smile matters.

Your words matter.

Your influence matters.

Be the leader who leaves people better than how you found them.

#LearnedMan | Smiles R Contagious