How Leaders Inspire Through Actions

It's time to start talking about the less obvious qualities of a great leader... We often hear that great leaders are decisive, strategic, and visionary. And while those traits matter, some of the most impactful leadership qualities are the ones we talk about less. This was powerfully demonstrated in a recent video of a soccer player putting his warmup jacket on a kid during the introduction ceremony. That’s great leadership. Why? This player showed... 🧠 Situational Awareness – The best leaders read the room, anticipate challenges, and adjust accordingly. They don’t just follow a plan—they adapt in real time to what their team needs. 💙 Vulnerability – True leaders don’t pretend to have all the answers. They admit mistakes, ask for help, and create a space where others feel safe doing the same. 👂 Empathy – Leadership isn’t just about driving results; it’s about understanding the people behind them. Taking the time to listen, acknowledge emotions, and show understanding builds trust and loyalty. 🤝 Genuine Care – People don’t just follow titles; they follow leaders who care about them as humans. Checking in, supporting growth, and celebrating wins (big and small) make all the difference. 🔥 Leading by Example – Culture isn’t what you say—it’s what you do. Leaders set the tone by modeling the work ethic, integrity, and values they expect from their team. The best leaders I’ve worked with didn’t just inspire—they made people feel seen, supported, and empowered. They create an environment of psychological safety where people feel safe to take risks, speak up, innovate, and be themselves. That’s the kind of leader I strive to be. What qualities have you seen in the best leaders you’ve worked with? #Leadership #PsychologicalSafety #LeadByExample #Innovation #TeamCulture

Great leadership isn’t about giving orders. It’s about sparking action. When I first stepped into a leadership role, I thought clarity was everything: “Here’s what to do. Just follow the plan.” Then I learned: ✅ Explaining the “why” matters. ✅ Modeling the “how” matters. But the real shift? Inspiring people to act. Not because you told them to, But because they want to. That’s the difference between “managing” and “leading”. You don’t inspire with answers. You inspire by living your values. By showing up consistently. By leading with purpose. If you want to lead in a way people choose to follow, ask yourself: ↳ Do I walk the talk or just talk? ↳ Do I lead with values, not ego? ↳ Do I create space for others to shine? ↳ Do people feel safe to grow and fail with me? ↳ Do people leave our conversations more energized? Because real leadership isn’t built on power. It’s built on people. And how you make them feel. ♻️ Share this with your network if you believe in building a culture of inspiring leadership. ☝️ And follow Victoria Repa for more leadership insights.

What can a producing branch manager learn from an active duty Navy SEAL? More than you know. What's up Producing Branch Managers? Last Thursday, Sean Herrero and I had the honor of doing a walk-n-talk with one of Sean's customers - an active duty Navy SEAL who's been leading SEAL teams for over 17 years. This guy joined the SEALs in 2008, right when the iPhone came out. I asked him: "A lot has changed in the world since then. What's new about leadership? What's modern?" Here's what he shared: First - they had to take a step BACK because of technology. The enemy has drones that can detect communications, Garmin watches, communications equipment, anything. Sometimes they have to go in with NO technology at all. Imagine all those Navy SEAL movies where they're all commed up talking to each other? Not always anymore in many situations. The lesson: You need to be great WITH technology AND great WITHOUT it. Second - what hasn't changed but is more important than ever: Leadership by example. He said it's still the most powerful, most important type of leadership with the most influence. Just leading by example. This guy IS the example. He's not a "do as I say, not as I do" leader. Third - and this is huge for managers: Authorship is ownership. It's never been more important to explain the WHY. Make sure everybody understands - this is what we're going to do, this is why we're going to do it. Then let your team author the HOW so they own it. Here's what hit me: Sean's assistant asked him a question yesterday about something that should always be done the same way. His takeaway? "Do my teammates know how to do their job without me?" At TrustEngine, we've never been more obsessed with what we call "coach the coaches." If you're a producing manager, it's never been more important that you: ✅ Lead by example ✅ Use tech in a best practice way and empower your team to use it ✅ Explain the WHY, then help them make it their unique way Do this and you are rocket-proof, future-proof, and you will close loans right now. More to come on this. We're going to do a full podcast unpacking all 10 lessons we learned from this SEAL. If you're not following savageinsights.com, check it out - my latest interviews are always featured at the top. #Leadership #TrustEngine #NoLoanOfficerLeftBehind