Leadership is not just about making decisions, delegating tasks, and dealing with financials. Being a leader means having a clear vision, using that vision to inspire others, and creating a positive workplace culture. But where do these leadership qualities come from?

At Evolution, we’ve worked with countless leaders whose leadership styles are often shaped by their life stories. In other words, “how” they lead is influenced by their origin story - their personal experiences, family of origin, class background, parental influence, school environment, and much more.

How Family Experience and Personal Path Influence Leadership

Your family experience and personal path play a critical role in shaping your approach to leadership. All the different experiences create the “recipe,” with each leader being unique. The values, beliefs, and cultural norms you acquire from your family and upbringing often form the foundation of your leadership philosophy. Likewise, your personal journey—including experiences such as education, career choices, successes, and failures—contributes to developing your leadership identity.

For example, if you grew up in a household encouraging you to take risks and try new things, you may be more willing to take bold steps as a leader. If you had a mentor who taught you the value of empathy, you might have a more people-centric leadership style. If you experience, lack, and do not have enough may make you overly cautious as a leader. How you communicate, make decisions, and handle conflict can all be traced back to your origin story.

Leaders who recognize these shaping experiences can better understand their strengths, areas for improvement, and unique perspectives that can influence their leadership style. In turn, this self-awareness can contribute to more effective and empathetic leadership.

Examples of Origin Stories Informing Leadership Styles

Understanding your origin story is important; it can help you reflect on your life experiences, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of what motivates you and how you approach challenges. This self-awareness is crucial for effective leadership because it lets you play to your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Here are some examples that demonstrate the impact of origin stories on leadership styles:

1. Authoritative Leadership: Growing up in a strict household, where parents made decisions and expected obedience without question, may lead to an authoritative leadership style. Such leaders might have a firm, controlling approach, valuing discipline and order in the workplace. They may benefit from learning to provide more autonomy and encourage open communication to build trust and nurture innovation.

2. Collaborative Leadership: Individuals raised in families emphasizing cooperation, teamwork, and shared decision-making might be inclined towards a collaborative leadership style. These leaders often foster a culture of inclusion, ensuring everyone has a voice and a sense of ownership. However, they should be careful not to compromise efficiency and decisiveness when dealing with challenging situations.

3. Servant Leadership: Individuals exposed to environments that promote selflessness, altruism, and the importance of helping others might develop a servant leadership style. These leaders prioritize the needs of their team members and focus on creating an environment where everyone can thrive. They might need to balance being supportive and setting boundaries to avoid overextending themselves.

4. Transformational Leadership: Those who have experienced significant change or adversity in their personal lives may be drawn to a transformational leadership style. They are often resilient, adaptable, and able to inspire others through their own experiences. These leaders need to maintain a clear vision and strategy while fostering change, avoiding the risk of becoming too focused on the transformation process.

Learning from Your Behavioral Patterns to Become a Better Leader

Your origin story can also help you connect more deeply with your team. When you share your story with your team, it humanizes you and can make you more relatable. It creates a sense of trust and openness that can foster collaboration and innovation. It also shows your team that you value vulnerability and authenticity, which can inspire them to do the same.

To become a better leader, it is crucial to examine your behavioral patterns, understand their origins, and identify areas for growth. Here are some steps to achieve this:

1. Reflect on your past experiences: Take time to think about the experiences that have shaped you as a person and a leader. What have your biggest challenges been? What lessons have you learned along the way? What values are important to you? Your answers to these questions can help you better understand your origin story.

2. Identify your values: Your values are the principles that guide your actions and decisions. What values are important to you? How do they influence your leadership style? By understanding your core values, you can ensure that your leadership style is aligned with your beliefs and principles.

3. Seek feedback and self-assess: Gather feedback from colleagues, mentors, and team members to understand how your leadership style impacts those around you. Use this information to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, leverage self-assessments like 360 Reviews to gauge your leadership effectiveness and identify any blind spots.

4. Develop an action plan for growth: Based on your reflection and feedback, create an action plan to improve your leadership skills. Focus on specific areas, such as communication, decision-making, or emotional intelligence, and set realistic goals for growth. Engage in relevant training, workshops, or coaching to develop and enhance new skills. Regularly review your progress and make adjustments as necessary, ensuring you remain on the path to becoming a more effective and self-aware leader.

5. Share your story: Don’t be afraid to share your origin story with your team. It can help to build trust and to create a sense of community. When you share your story, be genuine and open. This will help your team see you as a human being–not just a boss.

6. Embrace diversity: Remember that everyone has a different origin story. Embrace the diversity of your team, and use it to your advantage. By valuing different perspectives and experiences, you can create a more inclusive workplace where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.

By understanding the connection between your origin story and leadership style, you can gain valuable insights into your strengths and weaknesses, foster self-awareness, connect with your team on a deeper level, and create a more inclusive workplace. Your origin story is a powerful tool to help you become a better leader. So reflect on your story and use it to inform your leadership style. Your team will thank you for it.

Are you ready to unlock your leadership potential by better understanding your origin story? Evolution’s coaching and consulting services are designed to help you become a better leader and drive lasting success. Reach out to our team at HERE to learn more about our bespoke offerings on Leadership Development.