What do you stand for? The power of a leadership statement.

My client, let’s call her Betsy, was known for her collaborative and dependable leadership. With her promotion to the c-suite, she recognized a critical opportunity: How would she use this fresh-start moment to intentionally design and articulate her leadership vision, and instill confidence in her team?

All leaders, regardless of experience, benefit from defining and articulating their leadership philosophy. A clear leadership statement not only builds trust and aligns expectations but also creates a more engaged and motivated team. When your team understands what you stand for, they are more confident, engaged and empowered to perform at their best.  

Crafting a leadership statement may feel daunting at first, but with some reflection, you’ll be surprised at how naturally it flows.

Here are four steps to help you get started: 

Step 1: Define What Matters Most

What truly matters to you as a leader? Is it transparency, integrity, or fostering growth and learning? Betsy identified collaboration and accountability as two of her non-negotiables. What values feel core to who you are? What principles do you refuse to compromise on, even under pressure? How do you want your team members to describe your leadership to others?

Step 2: Draw Inspiration from Great Leaders

Think about leaders who inspire you. What qualities or approaches do they embody that you’d like to emulate? Betsy reflected on a former mentor who led with compassion and decisiveness. Who inspires you? What specific behaviors did these leaders demonstrate that earned your trust and respect? What lasting impact did they have on your own leadership journey?

Step 3: Learn from Leadership Missteps

On the flip side, consider leaders you’ve encountered who missed the mark. What did they do—or fail to do—that you want to avoid? Betsy recalled a former boss who avoided hard conversations, motivating her to commit to being approachable yet direct. What leadership behaviors have you seen demotivate or disengage teams? Which approaches seemed good in theory but failed in practice? What behaviors damaged trust or created a toxic culture?

Step 4: Pull It All Together

Now it’s time to turn your reflections into a clear and concise leadership statement. Aim for something short, conversational and easy to remember—something you can confidently share with others or use as a personal guidepost.

Start by jotting down key ideas from your reflections. Your leadership statement is a promise to your team. It must be authentic and reflect your true values, as any disconnect between your words and actions will erode trust.

To help structure your statement, try one of these frameworks:

• Values-based Framework: I believe in [core values]. For me, that means [specific behaviors]. My goal is to [intended impact].

Example: I'm a big believer in collaboration and accountability. To me, that means we all have a voice in decisions, but we're also clear about what's expected and how we're tracking progress. Ultimately, I want a team where everyone feels empowered to do their best and grow.

• Commitment Statement Framework: As a leader, my foundation is [core principles]. Each day, I commit to [specific actions] so that [desired outcome].

Example: As a leader, I'm all about building trust through open communication and achieving results through teamwork. I try to be approachable and supportive, but also decisive and ready to tackle challenges head-on. By finding that balance, I believe we can drive meaningful innovation that makes a real difference.

• Mantra Style Framework: [A single sentence encapsulating your core leadership principles.]

Example: I lead with curiosity, decisiveness, and a commitment to developing others.

These structures help you express both your values and the specific behaviors you want to model as a leader. 

Once you've crafted your leadership statement, don’t file it away. Share it with your team (e.g., in a team meeting, or onboarding session), reference it when making decisions, and weave its themes into your regular connect it to your decisions and communications. Treat it as a living document, revisiting and refining it as you grow.

Just as Betsy discovered, your leadership statement can serve as both a compass and a catalyst—guiding your decisions while inspiring others to follow your lead.

Ready to get started? Take five minutes right now to write down three values that define your leadership approach. Then schedule 30 minutes this week to expand those values into your full leadership statement using one of the frameworks above.

This intentional step will help set the tone for your leadership journey—and the impact you want to make.

[A version of this article first appeared in Smartbrief on Leadership.]