Impactful Leadership Through Ownership in Everyday Life
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
Happy Friday, Brew Nation!
This week’s Champions Brew is about one of the most overlooked truths in leadership: impact isn’t just measured by the big wins or boardroom decisions—it’s created in the small, unseen moments of everyday life.
This concept has been stirring in me since hearing a recent Craig Groeschel podcast. One of his guests made a statement that stopped me in my tracks: “If we are going to make an impact, then we are going to have to own the area we want to make an impact.” That truth hit me hard because I’ve lived it. And I believe every leader needs to hear it.
Leadership Never Turns Off
Where do you want to make an impact as a leader? Maybe it’s at work, at home, at church. But let me offer a tough truth: Your leadership is always on display. Whether you’re in the boardroom, walking through the grocery store, or sitting at the ballfield, you’re leading.
I’ve shared before about my affinity for shopping carts. Yep, those lone, rogue carts are left stranded in the parking lot. I make it a point to return them—not because someone’s watching, but because that’s the kind of leader I want to be. It’s a small act, but it’s rooted in something big: ownership.
That mindset carries into other moments, too:
- If I pick up a product in the store and later change my mind, do I leave it wherever I am? Or do I return it to its rightful place?
- If I realize I wasn’t charged for an item, do I walk out quietly or go back in to pay?
- If someone is struggling to reach an item, do I help—even if they don’t ask?
It might seem silly to some. But these decisions matter. Why? Because they’re opportunities to show who you are, even when no one’s watching.
A Personal Story Behind the Cart
My love for unseen acts of service—like returning shopping carts—has deeper roots. Years ago, I was going through a difficult season in life. A stranger tapped me on the shoulder, offered a conversation, and ultimately invited me to a church where he was a pastor. That invitation sparked my journey back into faith. A small moment changed everything.
That’s why I believe we never know the impact we’ll make. One act of leadership in the wild might just save a life.
The Everyday Mission Field
We often think leadership happens in offices, strategy sessions, or on stage. But some of the most powerful leadership moments happen in:
- The grocery aisle
- A crowded restaurant
- The waiting room at the doctor’s office
- The sidelines of your kid’s soccer game
As followers of Christ, we are called in the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations—not just from a pulpit or in a boardroom, but in the everyday places where people live, struggle, and hope.
Why Don’t We Own These Moments?
If these moments are so impactful, why do we overlook them? Four common barriers:
- Busyness – “I don’t have time.” We’re rushing. We miss the divine appointments right in front of us.
- Pride or Selfishness – “No one helped me,” or “It’s not my job.”
- Invisibility Complex – “Nobody’s watching, so it doesn’t matter.”
- Lack of Awareness – We’re simply tuned out. Heads down. Blind to the needs around us.
These barriers hold us back from being authentic leaders—the kind who lead with humility and service when no one’s clapping.
Overcoming the Barriers: Your Action Plan
If we want to make a difference, we have to own it. Here’s how:
1. Start with Prayer and Perspective
Before you enter a store, a waiting room, or a ballpark, pray: “Lord, show me how I can serve today. Who needs to see you in me?”
This prayer turns your focus outward. It transforms a mundane moment into a Kingdom mission.
2. Cultivate Awareness
Leadership begins with attention. Look up. Observe. Offer to help. Say the encouraging word. Pick up what someone else left behind. You don’t need a platform—you need eyes to see.
3. Share the Story and Invite Others
Leadership isn’t a solo sport. Share your goal to lead differently with others. Rally your family, your team, or your small group. Serve together. Talk about what you see and do.
4. Show Up with Ownership and Humility
This isn’t about applause—it’s about authenticity. Real leadership means choosing to do the right thing, not because it’s noticed, but because it’s right. As Dustin Tavella puts it, “If this is a place I want to make an impact, then this is a place I have to own.”
And Craig Groeschel says it best: “When you serve in the small moments, you become the kind of leader who’s real even when no one’s watching.”
Being effective as a leader means taking ownership even when no one’s watching. That’s why I challenge leaders to pay attention to the ‘small stage’—the parking lots, aisles, waiting rooms—because this is where your character shines and your legacy grows. At Growing Champions, we help leaders develop this quiet consistency so they can lead with authenticity in both the spotlight and the shadows.
👉 Want to build this kind of leadership muscle? 📩 Email me at coachjohngallagher@gmail.com with the word “OWN” in the subject line, and I’ll send you the Everyday Impact Reflection Guide—a practical tool to help you lead with consistency and care wherever you are.
- Quote of the Week
“If this is a place I want to make an impact, then this is a place I have to own.” – Dustin Tavella
What You Need to Do
Your Call to Action: Own the Unseen
This week, take on the Unseen Challenge:
- Return the stray cart
- Offer a kind word
- Step into someone’s need without being asked
Then, reflect:
- Where did you lead with humility?
- Where did ownership make a difference?
- Where can you do even more?
👉 Want help turning your small moments into meaningful impact?
📩 Email me at coachjohngallagher@gmail.com with the word “OWN,” and I’ll send you the Everyday Impact Reflection Guide.
It’s an honor to serve as your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy.” Every week, I bring you truth, tools, and stories that help you lead with integrity and courage.
If this Brew encouraged or challenged you, share it with someone who leads, loves, or lives beside you, and subscribe. Let’s grow Brew Nation together! ☕💪
Until next time — Own the Unseen. Serve with Heart. And Keep Growing, Champions! 💪
P.S. Want to share your story of courage and grace on The Uncommon Leader Podcast? Email me and let’s connect!
