Service Over Strategy: The Path to Authentic Leadership

Imagine this scenario: you’ve scheduled a call with someone who’s agreed to connect, accepted the invite, received a reminder, and is an ideal person you know you can support. It sounds like the beginning of a meaningful exchange, right?

But at the scheduled time, you’re met with a curveball. The person on the other end has no recollection of the invite, can’t recall agreeing to connect, and cuts you off with, “I’m busy and can’t really talk.” All of this unfolds in the first 60 seconds.

In that moment, you have two ways to respond: self-confident or self-assured.

The self-confident approach sees this as a problem. Perhaps the person isn’t ready for support, doesn’t respect their time or yours, and it’s best to move on. It’s understandable. Yet, it views the situation as an obstacle, a reason to close the door and move forward.

The self-assured approach, however, reframes the situation as an opportunity. Instead of viewing the situation as a misstep, you lean in with, “How can I support you?” You set aside any conversation about sales or business and put service first.

This is the heart of Holistic Entrepreneurship—seeing every interaction as a chance to create value and forge genuine connections.

When we choose to view others’ behaviors as a reflection of their own relationship with themselves—not as a reflection of us—our world shifts. We begin to lead from a place grounded in service and authenticity. This approach doesn’t guarantee that every person becomes a client, but that’s not the point. Every time you choose service over strategy, everyone wins—and that’s the true power of leadership.

I’m a lifelong student of service-driven entrepreneurship. It’s a journey filled with learning curves and unexpected twists, and, yes, it can feel uncomfortable. But the fulfillment it brings is profound. Service, for me, will always take priority over strategy, because that’s who I am. And I believe that if you’re reading this, you may feel that way too.