Learning from Leaders: The Good, The Bad & The Unforgettable

Leadership is one of life’s most profound teachers, and often, the greatest lessons come not from formal training but from the leaders we encounter along the way. Every leader, whether great or terrible, is placed in our lives for a reason. John Maxwell says it best - “Leaderships is influence”. The influence from leaders in our life—whether they realize it or not—helps shape our own path as leaders. These experiences are rich with insight, offering us a unique lens into the kind of leader we want to become and the kind we strive to avoid becoming.

The great leaders inspire us. They lift us up, empower us, and provide examples of the characteristics we hope to emulate—integrity, empathy, decisiveness, and vision. Under their leadership, we often feel motivated, valued, and driven toward growth. These leaders show us the potential impact of positive leadership and how it feels to work within a team that thrives. They teach us the importance of building trust, of fostering collaboration, and of leading with purpose.

Then, there are the less-than-great leaders—those who, through their shortcomings, also leave a memorable mark. It’s easy to dismiss the “bad” leader as irrelevant or a mistake, but if we look closer, we see they are as valuable as the great ones. Through their poor decision-making, lack of communication, mistrust or disregard for the team’s well-being, they offer us an essential understanding of what leadership should not be. They teach us the pain of missed opportunities, the damage caused by disengagement, and the high cost of misaligned priorities.

Life is too short for bad coffee…but bad leaders? There's a purpose for those in your life. Most of us will encounter a spectrum of leadership styles throughout our journey, from the inspiring to the frustrating, and everything in between. But regardless of where a leader falls on this spectrum, they all contribute to our growth. From the best leaders, we learn what to do, and from the challenging ones, we learn what not to do.

In reflecting on our experiences with leadership, it’s important to remember that every encounter has purpose. The key is to remain open to the lessons, even when they come in difficult forms. Over time, these lessons begin to shape the kind of leader we become—one who strives to embody the best of those who inspired us while actively avoiding the traits that held others back.

Leaders are placed in our lives to refine us, to challenge us, and to guide us. Through the experiences with these leaders, we emerge with a clearer understanding of who we want to be and how we want to lead. Leadership is a journey of constant learning, and the leaders we encounter along the way serve as signposts, showing us both the paths to take and the ones to avoid.

The next time you reflect on a leader who impacted your life, whether they were the best you’ve ever known or the most difficult, take a moment to consider what they taught you. Every experience, good or bad, is part of the greater process of becoming the leader you are meant to be.

Now, reflect on the leader you are today. Make sure you would want YOU as your leader and if not, make any necessary changes to become the person you would want to follow.