There are Leaders Among Us: Who Are You Overlooking?

There are Leaders Among Us: Who Are You Overlooking?

When was the last time you really looked at the people in your life, at work, at home, in your inner circle, and asked yourself, “Do I really know them?” Not just their name, role, or what they did years ago, but who they are now.

It’s so easy to get comfortable. We make assumptions about people based on past experiences, old reputations, or even one-time situations. Before we know it, we’ve labeled them as anti-social, too quiet, difficult, “the black sheep”, etc., but what if those labels are wrong? What if the people we overlook are actually the ones carrying the answers we’ve been looking for?

There are leaders among us and many times, they’re the ones we ignore, dismiss, or misunderstand.

We’re so quick to say someone “bothers” us or doesn’t fit the mold, but we rarely pause to ask why. Why does their energy feel off? Why do their actions irritate you? Could it be that you're irritated not because of them, but because something in you is being challenged or even exposed?

The truth is: irritation could be an invitation to dig deeper.

It’s time we recalibrate how we see people. Just like our eyesight changes and we go in for a new eyeglass prescription, our understanding of people needs to be updated, too. We can't keep using outdated perceptions to define people in the present. 

How many times have you missed out on someone's brilliance because you were still stuck on who they were five years ago? How many quiet minds have you overlooked because you confused silence with lack of insight?

There are leaders among us. They might be the ones sitting quietly at their desks, the ones who opt out of social events, the ones you’ve cast aside as “different", but what are you really missing out on?

Maybe you're the one that's being overlooked. Maybe you’re the one who’s been mislabeled, underestimated, or misunderstood. If so, this message is for you too.

It’s time to ask deeper questions. It's time for conversations that lead to growth, connection, and transformation.

Most people aren't anti-social or introverted...they're bored!  They want substance!  Real conversations. Real thought. Real impact. Real solutions.

So here’s your homework. I want you to think about five people you interact with regularly. They could be coworkers, family members, or even someone you’ve had friction with. Write their names down. Then jot down what you believe to be true about them—and next to that, write how long you’ve held that belief. You might be surprised by how much of your view is based on an outdated version of them.

If you need a tool to help you dig a little deeper, I have created something for that exact purpose.

My “Questions and Perspectives” conversation cards are designed to shift how you engage with the people in your life. They’ll help you ask better questions, uncover hidden insights, and truly see the people around you...beyond the roles, beyond the titles, beyond the assumptions.

🛒 You can grab your set now at QandPcards.com. These cards aren’t just conversation starters, they’re connection builders.

It's time to stop walking past diamonds every day, mistaking them for broken glass. There is value in your space, waiting to be noticed. But you’ve got to be willing to see beyond your comfort zone.

So, I ask you again: Who are you overlooking? Who have you mislabeled? Who’s been trying to lead in silence, while waiting for someone to ask the right questions?

Is it you?

Until next time,

Kim the SME

#leadersamongus #quietleadership #kimunitysoulutions #ethicalleadership #conversationcards #realtalkrealchange #blacksheeppower #misunderstoodbutoverstood #calibrateyourvision #deeperconnections #workplacetransformation #empathyleadership #soulcenteredstrategy