Leadership Isn’t Built in Speeches—It’s Built in Choices

A reflection on values, restraint, and everyday leadership.

Every January, leadership timelines fill with powerful quotes and familiar speeches. They’re meaningful—but I’ve come to believe leadership may temporarily be shaped by quotes, but what we practice every day has more long-term impact.

Rather than repeating words we already know, I’ve been reflecting on the leadership behaviors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. modeled—and how those behaviors challenge me in my own leadership.

Not in historic moments. In ordinary ones.

Leading Without a Guarantee

One of the hardest parts of leadership is moving forward without certainty.

In my work with leaders, especially those navigating change, I’ve seen how often decisions must be made without complete information or full agreement. I’ve faced it myself. Waiting for clarity can feel responsible, but sometimes it’s simply avoidance.

Leadership doesn’t promise certainty. It demands clarity of values.

Courage Without an Audience

We often think courage is public. In reality, the most courageous leadership moments happen quietly.

I’ve watched cultures shift because a leader spoke up in a closed-door meeting, gave credit instead of claiming it, or protected someone who wasn’t in the room. I’ve also learned that those moments, when integrity costs something, matter far more than the visible ones.

Leadership isn’t about being seen. It’s about being aligned.

The Strength of Restraint

Some of the strongest leadership I’ve witnessed has been restrained, not reactive.

While facilitating difficult conversations, whether with senior leaders, Airmen, or nonprofit boards, I’ve learned that the leader who pauses, listens, and responds with intention changes the entire dynamic of the room.

Restraint isn’t weakness. It’s discipline in service of the mission.

Seeing Potential Before Performance

One lesson I’ve seen repeatedly is the power of being seen as more than your current role or mistake.

I’ve watched people grow into leadership simply because someone treated them like a leader before they fully believed it themselves. I’ve also seen how quickly confidence erodes when people believe they’re only seen through their missteps.

Leaders don’t just evaluate performance. They shape belief.

Progress Over Perfection

Leadership work has taught me that progress rarely looks polished.

Organizations often want transformation, but what they need first is momentum, clear expectations, consistency, and small wins that build trust. Waiting for the perfect plan delays the very progress leaders say they want.

Progress isn’t lowering the bar. It’s committing to movement.

A Call to Action for Leaders

This season has reminded me that leadership isn’t about quoting the right words, it’s about living the right behaviors.

So, here’s my challenge to leaders:

• Choose values over certainty

• Practice courage when no one is watching

• Lead with restraint, not reaction

• See people for who they can become

• Prioritize progress over perfection

  
  

Leadership legacies aren’t built in speeches or posts. They’re built in decisions, especially the quiet ones. And those decisions are still ours to make.

I’ve intentionally avoided centering this reflection around quotes, because leadership isn’t built on words, it’s built on behavior. But there’s one line I return to, not as inspiration, but as a checkpoint for my own leadership:

“The time is always right to do what is right.” 

Martin Luther King Jr.

This reflection also connects directly to the work we’ll be doing in Leading with Purpose and Impact. This four-week series is designed to help leaders clarify their values and build the skills needed for the small, everyday moments that shape culture—moments where restraint matters, courage is tested, and new possibilities emerge. We begin a new cohort on Friday, February 13, and if you’re interested in learning more about Leading with Purpose and Impact, I invite you to check it out here.

In 2026, let's continue to do what is right, even when it is hard.

Dr. Julie Olsen