The Day You Either Lead or Lose

Author

Ed Clementi
January 13, 2025

It’s mid-January, and across industries, a defining moment is unfolding. Conversations about bonuses, raises, and promotions—or the absence of them—are taking place. For leaders, this is not just another task on the calendar; it’s a moment that demands your full attention. This is the day they will remember you.

The Weight of This Moment

Think about the stakes. For many on your team, this day is not about dollars alone. It’s about validation. It’s about whether the long hours, sacrifices, and trust they’ve placed in you were worth it. It’s about hope: hope for a better year ahead, hope for recognition, hope that someone is fighting for them.

Do you remember what it felt like to be on the other side of the table? The sleepless nights wondering if this was the year you’d be seen. The quiet anxiety about what it would mean for your family, your career, your future if you were overlooked. Those moments don’t fade easily, do they?

I still recall a conversation early in my career. I was asked what I hoped for in terms of compensation. My response was raw and honest: “I appreciate the kind words about how valuable I am. But I’d love to take that value home with me. To focus fully on this career without worrying about making ends meet. To feel secure.”

That sentiment isn’t unique. It’s the quiet plea of countless professionals who give their all, hoping their efforts will be noticed and appreciated in ways that matter.

No Room for Excuses

If you’re leading today, let me be clear: feeling unprepared or untrained is not an excuse. The moment you stepped into leadership, you accepted the responsibility to do the work—to show up prepared and present. You can’t wing it. You can’t treat this as just another checkbox. This moment is not about you; it’s about them.

People will remember how you handled this day. Did you prepare? Did you care? Did you see them as more than a line item or a percentage increase? If you fail to show up, you risk far more than just temporary disappointment. You risk trust—trust that’s fragile, trust that takes years to build and seconds to lose.

When leaders treat this moment with indifference or distraction, the consequences ripple outward. Disengagement grows. Loyalty erodes. People don’t always leave immediately, but over time, they drift. One missed moment at a time.

The Opportunity to Lead

But when you get it right—when you truly show up—something remarkable happens. You solidify trust. You remind your team why they believe in you. You create a connection that goes beyond titles and tasks. And in doing so, you amplify your impact not just for the organization but for the people who make it what it is.

Leadership is not about perfection, but it is about intention. It’s about caring enough to:

  • Fight for your team as you’d hope someone would fight for you.

  • Approach each conversation with empathy and thoughtfulness.

  • Deliver clarity, even when the news isn’t what they hoped for.

This isn’t just a transaction; it’s a turning point. Your words and actions in these moments define your leadership far more than any meeting or presentation ever could.

A Reminder for All

To every leader reading this: Step into this moment. Be fully present. Whether the news is good or difficult, deliver it with care. Remember that this day is more than just a milestone for your team; it’s a reflection of you.

And to everyone else: Pay attention to how these moments make you feel. You know when you’re valued, and you know when you’re not. Let that awareness guide your next steps—whether it’s a call to grow or a sign to seek a leader who sees and values you.

A Final Thought

I’ll leave you with this: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

This isn’t just another day. For someone, it could be the most important day of the year. For you, it could be the day that defines your legacy.

Make it count. Show up with intention. Make an impact—and feel the impact of what it means to truly lead.

🎙️ Ready to unlock your full potential in 2025? Check out the Season 2 premiere of my podcast, Totally Unacceptable, where I dive into the habits, fears, and mindsets holding us back from true leadership. Learn how the Leadership Multiplier Effect can amplify your impact, opportunities, and legacy. Don’t miss it!

With Absolute Sincerity,

Ed Clementi, Founder & CEO of Inspired Fire, LLC

Make an Impact.  Feel an Impact.