Want to Be a Better Leader? Write

We often look to great leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Winston Churchill, Oprah Winfrey, Satya Nadella, and Warren Buffett and assume they were simply born with “the right stuff.” The right mix of opportunity, background, and emotional intelligence. But if you look more closely, you’ll see that many of them faced real adversity, self-doubt, and failure.

A young Ulysses Grant was mocked as “Useless Grant” before rising to lead the Union Army to victory and later becoming a president who approached Reconstruction with compassion. Oprah Winfrey endured abuse and trauma as a child but chose to share her truth with authenticity and courage. In doing so, she inspired millions and built a media empire. Dr. King faced unimaginable hatred, yet he moved forward with conviction and grace, guided by a powerful internal code.

So how did they do it? How did these individuals rise above their circumstances to unite and inspire others?

One thing they all had in common was the simple yet profound act of writing. Whether journaling privately, composing letters, delivering speeches, or reflecting in shareholder notes, each of these figures used writing as a tool for introspection and personal growth. It wasn’t just a habit. It was a practice, a way to process experience, clarify values, and lead with integrity.

In my work as a coach and workshop facilitator, I see the same transformational power of reflective writing every day. I work with people in addiction recovery, those struggling with mental illness, and aspiring leaders looking to grow. Across every background and challenge, the outcomes are consistent. When people take time to write reflectively, they begin to see themselves more clearly. And from that clarity comes emotional intelligence, self-compassion, and purpose.

Reflective writing is more than putting words on a page. It is a method for uncovering the truths we carry, truths that often get buried beneath stress, shame, distraction, and noise. Writing gives us a space to revisit our past, reframe our pain, and recognize our strengths. Over time, it builds emotional resilience and fosters a clearer sense of identity. It reminds us that we are not our worst moments. We are a collection of experiences, skills, values, and beliefs. With intentional reflection, we can shape those into a life of meaning and fulfillment.

In today’s world, where loneliness, mental illness, and substance abuse are at record levels, the need for emotional tools is urgent. Many of us are walking through life distracted and disconnected, wondering why we feel so stuck. Writing gives us a way back to ourselves. It is not about being a “writer.” It is about being willing to face what is real, without performance or pretense.

I have seen lives change from this practice. I have seen people discover hope, rediscover their purpose, and finally begin to heal.

To close, I will leave you with a quote from Dr. King: “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

To move forward, we must understand where we have been. And to understand where we have been, we must be willing to reflect with honesty, humility, and courage. Writing is an equal-opportunity tool. The only requirement is a willingness to try.