The Essence of Leadership - The key factor in why strategies and methods work or fail for a leader

If you’re in a leadership role—or if you coach or consult with leaders—you’ve probably tried a variety of tools and techniques for getting better results. Leadership books, programs, and frameworks are everywhere. In fact, there are over 200,000 books on leadership available on Amazon alone.

And yet, something curious happens. A method that works well for one person doesn’t work for another. Sometimes, something that worked for you before suddenly stops being effective. Why is that?

In this video, George Pransky shares a powerful insight into why strategies and techniques work sometimes—and fall flat other times.

It’s Not the Strategy, It’s the State of Mind

According to George, there’s one key variable that often gets overlooked in leadership development: state of mind.

What really determines whether a strategy is effective is the mindset of the person applying it. When leaders are clear, present, and in a calm mental state, they tend to apply strategies with more common sense, creativity, and flexibility. The exact same strategy can go sideways when that leader is feeling insecure, pressured, or reactive.

We’ve all had the experience: when your mind is cluttered, even the best advice can be hard to follow. But when your mind is settled and open, solutions seem to come more naturally.

The Power of a Clear Internal Platform

George uses a simple analogy: your state of mind is like the platform you’re standing on. If the platform is steady, you can implement any strategy or technique with strength and ease. But if the platform is shaky, even the best tools won’t help much.

This deeper understanding allows leaders to stop chasing external tactics and start looking inward. By cultivating a clear, settled mind, leaders become more resilient and insightful—regardless of the circumstances.

This Applies Far Beyond Business

While George focuses on leadership in this talk, the same principle applies to many areas of life. Whether you’re navigating parenting, relationships, or even a personal goal like health, your mindset plays a huge role in whether your efforts succeed.

When people understand that their internal state is more influential than the strategy itself, they’re better equipped to lead, relate, and adapt in any environment.

So before you look for the next leadership technique to try, ask yourself: what’s the quality of mind I’m bringing to this moment?