‍

‍

Managing people is among the most complex and rewarding challenges in any leadership role. As someone who has led numerous panel discussions, guided cross-functional teams, and mentored individuals across different stages of their careers, I’ve come to see leadership as an ongoing journey of growth. My experience has taught me that true professionalism lies not in avoiding difficulties, but in navigating them with empathy, integrity, and consistency. There are moments of pride, where employees thrive and grow, and moments of frustration, where despite all efforts, things don’t work out as planned. When an employee disengages or leaves on bad terms, it can feel like a personal failure. But in reality, it’s an opportunity to reflect and refine our approach to leadership.

‍

‍

‍

‍

The Real Metric of Success

One of the key leadership lessons is to measure success not by outcomes, but by effort.

Leadership isn’t about controlling results — because that’s impossible. It’s about maintaining a process that fosters growth, trust, and performance while staying true to core values. Outcomes depend on many external factors, including personal perspectives, workplace dynamics, and external influences beyond a leader’s control.

As a professional, my focus is always on providing a supportive and structured environment where my team can excel. Instead of fixating on results, I ask myself:

• Did I provide support and guidance?
• Did I maintain a fair and open environment?
• Did I act with integrity and consistency?

If the answer is yes, then regardless of the outcome, the effort was meaningful.

‍

Embracing Emotions and Learning from Experience

Difficult situations often bring frustration, self-doubt, or resentment. These emotions, while challenging, offer valuable insights into personal growth. Suppressing them can lead to burnout, but acknowledging them allows for constructive reflection.

A useful approach is to ask:

• What did I do well?
• Where could I have approached things differently?
• Did I uphold my values even when things got tough?

Recognizing both strengths and areas for improvement allows for growth without unnecessary self-criticism. As a professional, I take every challenge as a learning opportunity, using each experience to refine my leadership style.

‍

Understanding Perspective and Reframing Situations

People experience their work through their own perceptions, shaped by past experiences, values, and personal biases. A leadership style that works for one person may not work for another. Conflicts may arise not from a lack of effort but from differences in expectations, communication styles, or workplace culture.

When faced with challenges, I step back and ask:

• Is my perspective the only valid one?
• How might this situation look from another angle?
• What external factors might be influencing this person’s response?

Reframing situations through multiple perspectives creates a more balanced view and often leads to better solutions.

‍

The Importance of Values in Leadership

Effective leaders are guided by strong core values. Whether consciously defined or naturally ingrained, values shape decisions and interactions. When faced with difficult situations, I reflect on whether my actions align with my principles.

Some useful questions to explore:

• What core values influenced my decisions?
• Did I uphold those values, even in tough moments?
• How can I refine my approach to better align with them in the future?

Understanding personal values also provides clarity on leadership strengths and areas for refinement.

‍

Looking Forward: Growth Through Reflection

Every leadership experience — whether a success or a challenge — offers lessons. The key is to extract the right ones. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, I focus on how to improve, adapt, and maintain confidence in my approach.

When reflecting on a difficult leadership experience, I consider:

• What did I learn about my leadership style?
• How can I apply these insights to future situations?
• Did I maintain fairness and professionalism throughout?

At the end of the day, leadership is a continuous journey. No one gets it right every time, and perfection isn’t the goal. Growth, adaptability, and a commitment to values matter far more than any single outcome.

By focusing on effort over results, embracing emotions as part of the learning process, and maintaining a strong sense of values, leaders can turn even the toughest challenges into opportunities for development.

The present is all we have — so lead accordingly.

‍

‍

Aram Andreasyan
Industry Leader, Design Expert

‍