Did you know that the human body has about 600 muscles?
You may not have known that—and unless you went to medical school, I wouldn’t expect you to. But here's something else you might not know: this is the 600th consecutive episode of Remarkable TV.
That milestone got me thinking about muscles—not just the kind we use to lift weights or climb stairs, but the kind we use when we lead others.
And just like physical strength, leadership strength is something we can build. Today, I want to share a few lessons from the world of fitness that apply directly to how we develop as leaders.
Know What You’re Working On
You can’t train every muscle in your body at the same time. The same is true with leadership. Leadership is a complex mix of skills, behaviors, and mindsets. You can’t develop all of them at once.
That’s why one of the first steps in becoming a stronger leader is deciding which “leadership muscles” you want to strengthen. Is it communication? Delegation? Strategic thinking? Pick your focus—then commit to improving.
Consistency Beats Intensity
You don’t go to the gym once and expect lasting results. Building strength—physical or leadership—requires regular, intentional effort. One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is thinking a single workshop or seminar will be enough.
It won’t be.
Leadership growth comes from showing up again and again. It’s about the daily disciplines. The practice. The reps.
Go Slow and Steady
At the start of every year, gyms are filled with people going all-in. They train hard, sometimes too hard, and often end up injured or discouraged. The same can happen in leadership.
If you try to change too much at once, you risk burning out or giving up. Instead, aim for slow, steady improvement. A 1% improvement each day adds up to incredible growth over time.
Don’t Skip Muscle Groups
Even if your legs are strong, a good trainer wouldn’t recommend ignoring them completely. The same is true for your leadership skills. Just because you’re already a “pretty good communicator” doesn’t mean you should stop honing that skill.
Neglect breeds decline. If you want to be a well-rounded, effective leader, make sure you’re giving attention to all areas of leadership, not just the ones that come naturally.
Take Care of Yourself
You can’t build muscle if your body isn’t well-nourished and rested. And you can’t lead effectively if you're depleted.
Leadership is hard work. It demands your energy, focus, and presence. That means taking care of your body, mind, and soul. Rest, hydrate, fuel yourself well. When you take care of you, you’re in a better position to take care of your team.
Keep Going
The best leaders I know have one thing in common: they never stop learning. They don’t wait for perfect conditions. They don’t stop after reaching one goal. They’re always improving—always growing stronger.
So whether you’ve been in leadership for six months or six decades, the mindset stays the same: keep building. Keep stretching. Keep lifting the weight.
If you want to become a better leader, think about how you build muscles—and use those same strategies to grow your leadership skills.
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