Today I noticed it again. I have this very thin crack on the wall in my living room, and it has continued to creep down the wall. I first noticed it more than a year ago — it was coming from the ceiling for about 40 cm down. It was very thin and barely noticeable. Today I noticed it hasn’t become thicker, but it has become longer and started to bend, so it’s not straight anymore.

When I noticed it the first time, I got scared because I didn’t know what was going on with my house. I looked it up online — it could have been a structural issue with the foundation, which would mean a huge cost to repair. I hired an expert to investigate, and the report said there were no structural issues. I felt relieved.

Today it struck me again. Even though the crack isn’t getting wider — so there are no structural issues — it has become a bit longer. I feel nervous, thinking about what to do next, and also how to calm down. Usually it just takes some time for the anxiety to pass, so why can’t I calm down now? Reasoning can’t convince emotions.

Today, I had an engaging discussion with a colleague about approaching a challenge in improving our delivery processes. Usually, we align closely and easily find common ground. But today was different—we encountered a topic where our opinions differed greatly.

As we exchanged arguments, we quickly reached a point where each of us was questioning the other's opinion. Soon, we reached a moment where I began to ask why his opinion was better, and he started questioning why mine was better. Eventually, I realized we lacked strong arguments, and I chose not to continue the discussion.

Reflecting afterward, I asked myself how one should proceed when solid arguments are not clear or convincing. Given my passion for leadership, I extended this reflection further. An intriguing follow-up question emerged: Should leadership decisions always be based purely on knowledge and facts?

I believe many of us have faced uncertainty or situations lacking clear experience. So, what guides us then?

Here's my thought: Perhaps the leaders we most admire possess a stronger set of beliefs than others. These beliefs empower them to inspire and motivate their teams effectively. I'm referring specifically to motivational leaders, beyond just skilled administrators. Administrative skills can indeed be mastered through effort, giving us the ability to overcome barriers, but a strong belief system might be the competitive edge that sets exceptional leaders apart.

Does this resonate with you? Have you experienced similar reflections? How often do your personal beliefs influence your leadership?

By the way, if you're curious about the exact topic of our debate, feel free to ask in the comments!

My blog posts

Hairline Through Emotions

Do Strong Beliefs Create Stronger Leaders?