Be The Mirror 🔑
Have you ever had someone point out that you sound exactly like your mom or dad? Maybe it’s the way you laugh, or that little phrase you swore you’d never say—but somehow it sneaks out anyway. Yep. Been there. One day I caught myself saying, “Because I said so!” and thought… oh no, I’ve become my mother! 😉
Mirrors don’t lie. They reflect what’s right there—whether you like it or not. And friend, as a leader, you are the mirror for your team.
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The Problem Most Bosses Miss
Here’s the unspoken truth: your team reflects you all day long. Your energy. Your values. Your attitude. Even your bad habits.
If you’re stressed, short, and scattered, don’t be surprised when your team starts snapping at each other or missing deadlines.
But if you’re steady, present, and focused? They’ll pick up on that too.
And the scary part? You don’t even have to say a word. They’re watching. They’re reading you. You’re the live-action screensaver running in the background of their workday.
Seeing The Mirror In Action 🪞
I once had a supervisor who was calm in every crisis. I mean, the building could literally be on fire, and she’d quietly say, “Alright, let’s figure this out.” And because she was steady, we were steady. We mirrored her confidence without even realizing it.
Contrast that with another leader I worked for—who panicked at the first hiccup. Emails got sharper, tension ran high, and productivity? Down the drain. Panic multiplies when it’s reflected back at you. And that’s the power of the mirror: it’s always showing, whether you like it or not.
What does your leadership reflect?
Your Mirror Check
Leader, here’s the kicker: influence is contagious. What you reflect—good or bad—multiplies. If you want a team that’s energized, respectful, and focused, guess where it starts? Yep. With the face staring back at you in the mirror every morning.
So, let me ask you: what’s your team reflecting back right now? Is it what you actually want to see?
Okay, let’s make this real.
Here are three things you can do this week to be the mirror your team deserves:
Here are three action steps …
🪞 1. Audit your energy. Write down the top three emotions you showed at work this week. Be honest. (If your list says “tired, cranky, and hangry”… don’t worry, you’re in good company.)
🪞 2. Ask for feedback. Find a trusted teammate and say, “Hey, what’s one thing you see me reflect that shapes the team?” Brace yourself but thank them no matter what.
🪞 3. Choose one reflection to shift. Maybe it’s patience, gratitude, or focus. Pick one thing you want your team to mirror—and intentionally model it every day this week.
Your team becomes what you model—calm, chaos, or kindness. What are you putting in front of the mirror?
Get your blueprint to stop managing people and start leading them by using words.
Why the Mirror Makes All the Difference:
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Look for this icon for the series.
Think about everything we’ve covered in the From Boss to Leader series: energy vs. time management, micro-actions, invisible moves, radical transparency, leading by writing, walking in your team’s shoes—and now, being the mirror. Each lesson builds your leadership influence, but the mirror? It’s the glue that holds it all together.
When you reflect steady energy, honesty, humility, and presence, your team doesn’t just follow instructions—they mirror the values, attitude, and resilience you model. That’s real leadership impact. And trust me, it doesn’t require a title, fancy office, or corner suite.
Herb Kelleher could sling bags, Oprah could champion unseen voices, Mandela could change a nation with his presence… and friend, you can lead your team with that same kind of influence, right where you are.
I’m cheering 📣 for you!
P.S. ➡️ Listen to the Podcast here
PS: If you want to go deeper, grab copies of the Valuable Leader series:
Book 1: The Valuable Leader: 7 Steps to Greater Growth, Value, and Influence – discover the framework to show up as a leader who inspires and drives results.
Book 2: The Valuable Leader Communicates: 7 Keys to Unlock Your Voice and Connect Better With Others – learn the communication strategies that separate bosses from leaders.
Use these books as your roadmap to step fully into the leader your team can mirror proudly. Be the mirror worth following.