Leadership Happens in the Backyard, Not the Front Lawn
Why Good Intentions Aren't Enough—Impact Is What Actually Matters
Let's talk about leadership. And yes, I can hear the collective groan—another article on leadership. But stick with me. This isn’t about the inspirational-poster version. It’s about the truth we all know but rarely say out loud: good intentions don’t move people. Impact does.
Good intentions are about optics. They’re about being perceived as amiable, thoughtful, “one of the good ones.” It’s performative humanity. Like the neighbor who waters their front lawn every morning (even during a drought), keeping the greenest yard on the block…while their dog sits chained to a concrete slab behind the house. The front looks immaculate. The back tells the real story.
Some managers operate from that front-yard mentality. They want to be seen as good leaders. They want the reputation, the narrative, the applause. But intention without impact is just landscaping. Pretty, but useless.
Now think about the leaders who actually shaped you. The athletics coach who pushed you to run one more lap—not because they wanted to be liked, but because they knew you were capable of more. The teacher who handed you your first failing grade, then sat with you after school and built a plan to get you back on track. The mentor who refused to sugarcoat anything, who delivered truth with clarity instead of corporate jargon, who held up the mirror you’d been avoiding.
None of those moments felt “pleasant.” But they were undeniably kind. And they changed you.
Impact isn’t always gentle, but it is always generous. It’s the nudge, the stretch, the uncomfortable growth. It’s the leader who doesn’t care about looking good—they care about you becoming good.
The leaders I’ve learned the most from? Their lawns weren’t the prettiest. But they treated their dog like family.
A friend and mentee of mine recently spiraled into a loop about their next career move. They said, “I don’t want to be a manager again. But I know I won’t grow as a leader if I’m not managing people.” I actually laughed. Out loud. The idea that leadership only exists inside a manager title is one of the biggest myths we keep recycling.
I reminded them that most of my career at Amazon was spent as an individual contributor—and I still influenced directors, VPs, and entire global organizations. Leadership had nothing to do with my title. It had everything to do with my impact.
Just like that lawn has nothing to do with how someone treats their dog.
A few weeks ago, I co-hosted the farewell event for the corporate summer interns. Before they left, several hugged me and gave me handwritten thank-you cards. Every note mentioned mentorship, support, guidance they’d carry into their careers. After work, I sat in my drought-ridden backyard with Knox, my dog, and let myself feel it—really feel it.
I didn’t lead with good intentions. I led with impact. And they felt it.
Here’s the thing: leaders rarely have perfect intentions. But the ones worth following leave a mark. They shape endurance, confidence, clarity, resilience. They push you, challenge you, and sometimes frustrate you—but they change you—for the better.
Leadership isn’t measured by how you hoped to show up. It’s measured by how someone else stands taller because you did.
And if you’re out there leading—formally, informally, quietly, loudly—don’t obsess over being liked, or being perfect, or being perceived as good.
Intentions are a feeling. Impact is a legacy. Choose the one that lasts.
Learn and Be Curious!
