Where Do You Come From? Understanding Your Leadership Lineage
This post is part of Five Questions Every Leader Must Ask—a series designed to help you reflect on your formation, practice, and legacy as a leader. Each question invites deeper personal insight and meaningful conversation with others.
What is my leadership lineage—the people, traditions, and experiences that have shaped my approach to leadership? Who are the key figures—personal, historical, or spiritual—who have contributed to my leadership identity?
I recently received a message from a mentor. It was nothing fancy or profound; it was just a note to let me know he was thinking about and praying for me. This kind of message reminds me of how blessed I am to have mentors, teachers, and leaders in my life who have profoundly shaped the leader that I have become.
I remember the first time someone believed in my potential when I couldn’t see it. They gave me an opportunity that I thought was far beyond me, but came alongside and mentored me through the process. I look back on that as the pivotal turning point when I began to believe in all of the latent potential stored within me, just waiting to be developed and released. This moment was part of a heritage that was passed down. He mentored and empowered me—the same way he had been mentored and empowered. I hope I’ve been a faithful steward, continuing and expanding this lineage of leaders who paved the way for me. That realization reframed how I understood my role as a leader. Just as my mentor was shaped by those before him, I realized I am part of a much larger story—one that extends beyond my own experiences.
Leadership is never a solo endeavor. We can think of our leadership as a river—the culmination of different streams that flow into us, just as we will be streams that flow into the rivers of others who come after us. These streams come from the people, traditions, and experiences that have shaped us. What’s beautiful about this is that each of these streams has people, traditions, and experiences that formed them. What are the streams that are flowing into you and your leadership?
Why take time to explore your leadership lineage? Because leadership never happens in a vacuum. The influences we carry are woven together from generations of wisdom. We are all shaped by the people, traditions, and experiences that have come before us. Reflecting on our leadership lineage can bring clarity to our values, strengths, and the wisdom we carry forward. This worksheet will guide you through three key areas: people who shaped you, traditions you follow, and defining experiences. As you reflect, consider not just what has influenced you, but what shaped those influences. Download the worksheet here to begin uncovering the patterns in your leadership lineage.Download it here.
Leadership is about taking what we learn and finding ways to invest in others. Here are a few ways that you could integrate this into your conversations about leadership:
Ask a mentor about their leadership lineage.
Discuss it with a team—where do our leadership influences overlap?
Invite leaders you are mentoring or coaching to consider their own leadership lineage.
Your leadership lineage is a story still being written. Ask a mentor, friend, or colleague this question and see what you learn. As you reflect, I invite you to explore the worksheet and uncover the people, traditions, and experiences that have shaped you. What patterns emerge? What surprises you? I’d love to hear your reflections—send me a message or share your insights! Download it here.