January is the season of big goals. New plans. Fresh motivation. But in the rush to “level up,” many people set a vision that looks good on paper while quietly drifting away from who they are.

Real leadership is not just about progress. It is about alignment. Vision is where you are going. Integrity is how you get there, and who you are while you do it.

When those two stay connected, your goals feel energizing instead of exhausting. You do not need to perform, overextend, or compromise your values to prove you are serious. In fact, when you compromise your values and the values of the business, you end up creating a culture and environment that is toxic and deflated.

A common mistake this time of year is chasing outcomes without checking the cost.

But small compromises tend to repeat. And over time, they become your culture, your reputation, and the reasons your lose great talent. The best vision is not the loudest one. It is the truest one.

This January, set direction with integrity. Choose goals that match your values. Build success you will be proud of, not just impressed by. Because you do not need to lose yourself to move forward.

Questions to Consider:

Personal Life Update:

Last week brought one of those “only in hindsight” moments. I began my career teaching math in high school, and now I spend my days providing leadership development services to leaders.

Last week, I was back in a high school. I visited Nueva High School in the Bay Francisco area. I was able to share leadership concepts with students. It was a reminder that the path never moves in straight lines, but it always makes sense looking back.

Leadership Resource: Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

In this book, Brené Brown’s message is simple but challenging: real leadership is not about looking fearless. It is about leading with courage, clarity, and values, even when it is uncomfortable. This book is a reminder that integrity is not “being nice” or “avoiding conflict.”

Integrity is the willingness to do the right thing consistently, especially when there is pressure to perform, you are tempted to people-please, or you are afraid of being judged.

Check out the book on Amazon here!

Leadership Spotlight: Nelson Mandela

Mandela held a powerful long-term vision: a free and democratic South Africa. But what set him apart was not only the vision itself, it was his refusal to abandon his values while pursuing it.

After 27 years in prison, Mandela had the opportunity to lead with bitterness or revenge. Instead, he chose reconciliation, restraint, and unity. He understood that how a leader wins matters just as much as what they win.

Sheeba Varghese is a strategic partner for your talent development solutions and the author of Confidence, Clarity & Ease: A Guide For Emerging Leaders To Thrive. Her passion is to inspire and equip men and women to lead with excellence and authenticity within the spheres of influence that they are called to impact in life. The spheres may be in a home, on a team, in a classroom, among partners in a firm, or within management, to name a few.

Senior Leaders and professionals who want to develop stronger leadership skills, have impact, and move forward in their careers

Teams that want to work cohesively within their organizations

Coaches who want to renew or apply for certification with ICF

If you want to improve your leadership skills, transition from managing to leading, ensure your team is amazingly successful, increase your self-awareness, and progress your career, or aspire to be a masterful coach for your clients, then Sheeba would love to support you. She works with clients globally, both face-to-face, by phone, or by Zoom.

In her time apart from clients, Sheeba enjoys time with her husband, Santosh, and their 2 sons, Sam and Steven. She loves great movies, a good book, decorating, and dining at the wonderful restaurants in the Bay Area.