Roots of Leadership: Leading with Purpose, Responsibility, and Empowerment
- Marlene Porter
- May 26
- 3 min read
Updated: May 26
by Seagram W. Porter, MPA, CSM (ret.)
Imagine leadership as a tree firmly rooted, with a sturdy trunk and branches reaching for the sky, guided by the vision of an organization. At MP Insight Solutions LLC, we believe leadership is more than a title; it’s a personal journey grounded in purpose, responsibility, and empowerment. Leading with purpose, leading with responsibility, and empowerment is a people-centered pursuit, and to truly lead others, we must first commit to leading ourselves.
Leading with Purpose
The first step to leading with purpose is sharing your leadership story, your “why.”
Your story isn’t just a record of events; it’s the foundation of your leadership voice. Tell your story honestly, sharing your starting point, the mistakes you made, the victories you celebrated, and how you’ve grown along the way. When you open up about your journey, you give others permission to embrace their own.
Leading with purpose is personal. That’s why we say: start with your story, start with your why. By clarifying your purpose, you lay the groundwork for strong leadership roots, roots that keep you grounded when challenges arise and threaten to shake you.
Tips for Leading with Purpose:
Share your story often — it’s a beacon for those around you.
Let others know what drives you and how it informs your decisions.
Highlight your values and what matters most to you.
Leading with Responsibility
A tree’s trunk is vital. It provides structure and carries essential nutrients to the branches. Similarly, leading with responsibility is essential to fostering a culture of trust. Responsible leaders hold themselves accountable, knowing that leadership is about owning outcomes, not just delegating tasks.
Recently, I sat with a leader who was frustrated by high turnover, low team engagement, and a reluctance among team members to speak up. As the director vented, I kept hearing phrases like, “They just don’t want to do it,” and “They never share the real reasons they’re leaving.” At no point did the leader take responsibility for creating an environment where people could be honest and engaged. Compared to another leader who faced low morale and missed performance targets. Instead of pointing fingers, the leader took a hard look at how their leadership style might be contributing to the problem. They began hosting weekly team check-ins, asking questions like, “How can I support you better?” The difference was that immediate trust grew, and performance followed.
One of the most misunderstood truths in leadership is this: while you can delegate tasks, you can never delegate responsibility. If your team isn’t performing, don’t ask, “Why are they failing?” Ask, “What have I done or not done to support them?”
Additionally, language shapes culture. Calling your team “they” creates distance and reinforces hierarchy. The shift to “we” and “us” cultivates belonging.
You can’t lead others until you first lead yourself, including owning the team’s outcomes, good or bad.
Empowering Leadership
Empowered teams are like the branches of a healthy tree, reaching upward and outward because they have strong roots and supportive nutrients. Leadership is about creating psychological safety, an environment where people feel safe to speak up, to fail, and to grow without fear.
Empowerment is not just about saying the right words; it’s about showing that you trust others, giving them the tools, confidence, and freedom to thrive. As I like to say, real empowerment is when the missile launches and the right people are at the controls.
One company we partnered with took a bold step: every team member was encouraged to pitch improvement ideas directly to the executive team. They were encouraged to pitch “their worst idea” to their best ideas. Since then, ideas that were pitched have been implemented, leading to positive outcomes and an increase in engagement. Because employees felt heard and trusted, they stepped up as true partners in the organization’s success.
The best leaders don’t need the spotlight; they shine through the people they’ve empowered long after they’re gone. Leaving their leadership legacy.
Ways to Empower Your Team:
Avoid micromanagement. Encourage your team to make decisions and participate in the decision-making process.
Provide the tools and resources they need to succeed.
Stay open to their ideas and avoid stifling suggestions.
Lead by example; your actions speak volumes.
Final Thoughts and Call to Action
Whether you’re a senior executive, a frontline manager, or someone leading a household, you are a leader. And at MP Insight Solutions LLC, we’re here to help you grow deeper roots and reach higher branches, every step of the way, as you grow your roots in leadership by leading with purpose and empowerment.
Ready to dig deeper and unlock your team’s potential? Let’s talk about how we can support your leadership journey. Contact us today to start planting the seeds for your leadership growth.
