The Hidden Edge: Why Every Leader Should Journal (And What It’s Done for Me)
Leadership isn’t built in meetings. It’s built in moments of clarity and those moments don’t come unless you make space for them. For me, that space started with something simple: journaling.
Now before you roll your eyes, this isn’t about writing poetry or daily affirmations. This is about leadership performance. Strategy. Self-awareness. And it’s been one of the most valuable tools I’ve picked up in business.
Why I Started Journaling as a CEO
In the early years of Wrapped Creations, my days were chaos. Flying between regional jobs, managing teams, pitching for work, and still delivering the final product. I had no time to think, let alone reflect.
But it started costing me. I was making reactive decisions, misreading situations, and repeating mistakes. I needed a pause button. Journaling became that pause.
I’d sit down for five minutes, pen in hand, and ask myself:
What happened today?
What did I do well?
Where did I drop the ball?
What needs attention tomorrow?
That was it. No fluff. Just honest leadership check-ins.
What Changed?
The first thing I noticed was clarity. It helped me separate fact from emotion. I could see where I was operating from fatigue or ego, and where I needed to reset.
Then I noticed patterns. I could track repeated frustrations, unresolved issues, or moments when my leadership was off-track. It gave me something I didn’t realise I was missing an actual leadership dashboard.
And finally, it gave me space to think like a CEO, not just operate like a technician.
Why This Matters in Business
If you’re running a business, leading a team, or even just managing a big project, there’s always noise. That noise can cloud judgment, burn you out, and disconnect you from your values.
Journaling cuts through the noise. It’s a way of leading with deliberate intention, not just habit.
It helps you:
Make better decisions
Spot leadership blind spots
Anchor yourself in purpose when pressure hits
I’ve journaled through team restructures, major project wins, and difficult client decisions. It’s not about perfection. It’s about perspective.
You Don’t Need to Be a Writer. You Just Need to Be Honest.
Some days, I write two sentences. Other days, a full page. What matters is the consistency. It’s not for anyone else. Not for social media. Not for self-help approval. It’s for the leader you want to be.
Final Thought
Most leadership development is external, books, conferences, coaches. And that has value.
But the best investment I’ve made?
Taking five minutes a day to hear my own voice before trying to lead anyone else.
Journaling won’t solve your problems. But it will make sure you’re equipped to.
I’m launching a structured 12-Month Leadership Journal later this year, built for business owners and emerging leaders who want to lead with clarity, not chaos. If you want early access or to be part of the pilot group, message me directly.
