Personal Philosophy: How Your Values Shape the Way You Lead

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! What is your personal philosophy, and how does it shape how you lead, make decisions, and live your life? In Episode 3 of ELT All Team Meeting, James Songster and James Moore explore the role personal philosophy, values, self-awareness, and purpose play in leadership and personal growth. James shares the philosophy that has guided much of his life and career: “Better than it was.” What began as a simple handmade plaque in the home he shared with his wife eventually became a way of evaluating work, relationships, decisions, and progress. The goal wasn’t perfection; it was improvement. The conversation explores how personal philosophies develop and change over time, including James Moore’s own evolution from “Strive to make the world a better place” to “May wisdom be your guide.” Together, they discuss why a philosophy should feel authentic, why it needs to work consistently rather than only when convenient, and how personal values influence the way a leader makes choices. They also examine the danger of philosophies that sound positive but lack context, such as “win” or “serve others” and why leaders need to understand what their guiding principles actually mean in practice. In this episode: What a personal philosophy is James Songster’s philosophy: “Better than it was” How personal philosophy influences leadership Why values and actions need to align How personal philosophies evolve over time Self-awareness and personal growth Finding guiding principles that genuinely fit you Why improvement doesn’t require perfection How leaders make decisions based on what is important What happens when an organization conflicts with your values Knowing when it may be time to step away Why leaders should read, learn, and explore different philosophies How to tell whether a philosophy truly works for you James ultimately returns to the idea that good choices come from understanding what is important, acting accordingly, and trying to leave your work, relationships, and world better than they were before you arrived. Ask. Learn. Lead. ELT All Team Meeting is a leadership podcast from Emerging Leader Training exploring leadership development, personal growth, values, communication, decision-making, and the ideas that help people become stronger leaders. Find out more at https://betterleadershipskills.com