Flip the Script on Leadership: Your Greatest Power Is You
- Meron F. Cherenet
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Each year, without fail, I sit down with people from every corner of our organization. Some are colleagues I’ve known for years, others are just beginning their journey with us. These conversations started as a personal reflection exercise but have since grown into something far more powerful, a shared tradition. What began as a pause to look inward has become a space where we re-energize, reconnect, and recommit to our values as a team.
We meet unscripted. We speak openly. We listen curiously. And through these discussions, we remind ourselves of something foundational: when we focus on human connection, there is very little we can’t overcome together.
These gatherings have taught me more than any leadership manual ever could. We laugh. We get uncomfortable. We grow. And each time, I leave with a deeper understanding of what it means to lead, not by title or position, but by building trust, cultivating potential, and aligning around a purpose greater than ourselves.
This isn’t a detour from business performance. It is performance. Over the years, I’ve seen how even the most brilliant teams can be stalled by ego, fear, or rigid hierarchy. Talent alone isn’t enough. What unlocks potential is belonging. The kind that is earned through curiosity, humility, and the willingness to let every voice shape the path forward.
I learned this early in my career in the world of biotech, where ambitious ideas and cutting-edge innovation weren’t always matched by inclusive leadership. I watched highly capable teams lose momentum not from a lack of technical skill, but because too many voices went unheard. That’s when I realized, brilliance without belonging is fragile, and leadership without inclusion will fail..
That experience shaped my leadership philosophy: business excellence starts with human excellence. And human excellence requires intentional investment in people, not just in what they do, but in who they are becoming.
Leadership Beyond Self
Whether in a corporate boardroom or a nonprofit meeting, I have seen the same truth play out: the leaders who create lasting impact are those who lead with purpose beyond themselves.
Leadership isn’t about climbing. It’s about anchoring. Anchoring yourself to a mission or cause that transcends personal ambition. Titles and accolades are temporary. What endures is the trust you build, the people you empower, and the culture you leave behind.
It can be tempting, especially in high-pressure environments, to focus on performance at all costs. But the leaders who truly transform organizations are not the loudest in the room. They’re the ones who lead with clarity, service, and purpose. They create cultures where people don’t just work; they thrive, because they feel seen, valued, and inspired to give their best. If you’re doubting your leadership, turn that uncertainty into discovery. Ask yourself why you want to lead. If the answer points to service, to impact, to legacy, then you’re on the right path.
Leadership begins with leading yourself. You can’t inspire others through terrain you haven’t walked. The most powerful leaders aren’t those with flawless scripts—they’re the ones who’ve wrestled with their own purpose and come out honest and clear. That clarity becomes a beacon, drawing others to trust and follow.
A Trusted Voice Alongside Me
For the past five years, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside Clint Tripodi of The Liberty Company, as a strategic advisor and executive coach. His insight, candor, and commitment to people-first leadership have helped reinforce many of the lessons I’ve written about here. As leaders, we don’t grow in isolation. We grow in trusted partnership, with those who challenge us, support us, and hold us accountable to the values we claim to lead by.
Final Thought
The best leadership I’ve seen doesn’t come from charisma or control. It comes from purpose. From aligning with something bigger than ourselves.
If you want to lead in a way that lasts, start by leading with why. Then build a culture where everyone can do the same.
Business success is built on trust, collaboration, and shared purpose. When you invest in people, you invest in performance.
The most powerful strategy is simple: empower your team, and they’ll transform challenges into opportunities.
Meron F. Cherenet is the Vice President, Business Operations and Human Capital of Vandstrom, Inc., where she leads with a deep commitment to human-centered strategy, organizational health, and purpose-driven growth. With a background in biotechnology and nearly two decades of leadership across corporate, nonprofit, and cross-sector environments , Meron brings a rare balance of technical expertise and emotional intelligence to every table she sits at. She is passionate about building strong cultures, empowering people, and driving meaningful, sustainable change.
