The Leadership Playbook: Turning Challenges into Growth Opportunities

Have you ever paused to reflect on what might be holding you back as a leader?

Is it self-doubt, a lack of trust in your team, or even the fear of making mistakes? Leadership isn't just about managing tasks—it's about overcoming internal and external challenges to inspire and empower others.

But how do you move forward when those obstacles seem overwhelming?

In my recent conversation with Ricardo Boggs, CTO and CIO of Brave Thinking Institute, on The Next Interview, we unpacked the mindset shifts and practical actions that have shaped his leadership journey.

Ricardo's leadership story is one of resilience, growth, and trust. From navigating imposter syndrome to learning from a $2M mistake early in his career, Ricardo has mastered the art of turning challenges into stepping stones. His emphasis on acting like a leader before holding the title, building trust with awareness, and learning from failure offers a wealth of practical lessons for aspiring leaders.

“You have to start being that leader now. By doing so, you’ll develop the skills you need to succeed and uncover the areas where you can improve.” - Ricardo Boggs

3 Lessons Learned

1. Act Like the Leader You Aspire to Be

   1. Leadership starts before you get the title. By embodying leadership qualities in your current role, you not only develop critical skills but also signal your readiness for more responsibility.

2. Build Trust with Awareness

   1. Blind trust can lead to missteps. Ricardo highlighted the importance of knowing your team’s capabilities and maintaining open communication to address gaps and build alignment.

3. Mistakes Are Growth Opportunities

   1. Every leader will face setbacks, but the key is to learn and grow from them. Ricardo’s story of recovering from a costly mistake underscores the importance of focus, clarity, and resilience in leadership.

Pro Tips for Taking Action

Adopt a Leadership Mindset Today:

Start your day by asking, “Who do I need to be today to align with the leader I aspire to become?” Act on that answer in your interactions and decisions.

Audit Trust in Your Team:

Hold regular check-ins with your team to understand their strengths and challenges. Use these insights to provide targeted support and build alignment.

Create a Feedback Loop:

Ask peers and team members for structured feedback. Use simple questions like:

What am I doing well?

What could I improve?

How can I better support you?

Why These Lessons Matter to Aspiring Leaders

Aspiring leaders often focus on landing the next big title, but Ricardo’s lessons remind us that leadership is about mindset and action—not status. By acting like a leader now, you prepare yourself for future roles while building trust and resilience. These lessons are crucial for developing clarity, avoiding costly mistakes, and fostering a culture of empowerment that drives results.

For those looking to make an impact, the journey begins with self-reflection and intentional growth.

How Ricardo’s Lessons Align with the 4 Pillars of Empowered Leadership

Ricardo Borges’ leadership insights perfectly connect with the 4 Pillars of Empowered Leadership, demonstrating how these foundational principles can guide leaders through challenges and foster success:

Trust & Autonomy

Ricardo emphasized that trust isn’t about stepping back entirely or blind faith—it’s about being intentional and informed. By understanding your team’s strengths and recognizing their gaps, you can empower them to take ownership of their work while providing support where it’s needed. This aligns with the first pillar, which centers on fostering autonomy through a foundation of mutual trust.

Ricardo’s Quote: “Trust isn’t blind; it’s about knowing your team’s strengths and gaps. That awareness is key to avoiding surprises and building alignment.”

Communication & Transparency

Open communication was a recurring theme in Ricardo’s story. His approach to regular check-ins and seeking feedback reinforces the importance of transparency in building strong, aligned teams. By maintaining an ongoing dialogue with your team, you can uncover hidden challenges and align everyone around shared goals—exactly what this pillar advocates.

Growth & Innovation

Ricardo’s $2M mistake could have been a career-defining failure, but instead, it became a powerful lesson in clarity and focus. This reflects the third pillar’s emphasis on fostering growth through learning and innovation. Ricardo’s willingness to adapt and grow through challenges inspires leaders to see mistakes as opportunities rather than setbacks.

Ricardo’s Quote: “Mistakes are inevitable, but they’re also an opportunity to learn and grow.”

Systems of Accountability

Ricardo discussed the importance of regular feedback and maintaining focus on what truly matters. By creating systems to monitor progress and address gaps, he avoided the pitfalls of micromanagement while still holding himself and his team accountable. This reflects the fourth pillar, which emphasizes the need for structured processes that drive results.