The 1% Leader Newsletter - Issue 33

📩 The 1% Leader Newsletter

Issue #33 – September 24, 2025
Reignite Your Calling: Rediscover Why You Lead

When the Fire Fades

You know the feeling. You’re still showing up, doing the work, carrying the weight of responsibility - but the spark that once made leadership meaningful feels dim.

The meetings happen. The decisions get made. Progress moves forward, at least on the surface. But instead of leading with inspiration, you’re running on obligation. And obligation is a heavy load to carry week after week.

If that’s where you find yourself, you’re not alone. Every leader experiences seasons when the original passion drifts into the background. What once felt like a mission now feels like maintenance.

The question isn’t whether drift happens. It does. The real question is: How do you reignite your calling when the fire fades?

Step 1: Recognize the Drift

Drift rarely announces itself. It doesn’t happen with a crash — it shows up slowly, quietly. It looks like busyness without meaning. Decisions without conviction. A full calendar that leaves you empty inside.

Leaders often try to power through. But working harder won’t reignite your calling. The first step is simply naming it: I’ve drifted. That honesty creates the space to course-correct.

Step 2: Reconnect With Your Why

Your calling isn’t just the title you hold or the role you’re in. It’s your God-given assignment for this season of life.

Think back to the times when your calling was clear. Maybe it was a Scripture that leapt off the page, a conversation with a mentor, or a moment when you knew without doubt: This is what I’m meant to do.

What was true then that still needs to be true now? What part of that vision has grown blurry under the weight of daily pressures?

As Simon Sinek reminds us: “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” If you lose touch with your “why,” the work loses its meaning for you — and for those you lead.

Step 3: Realign Your Role With Your Purpose

Reflection matters, but alignment creates change. Once you’ve reconnected with your calling, you need to bring your role back into harmony with it.

That might mean simplifying priorities so you stop scattering your energy. It might mean delegating responsibilities that no longer fit your strengths. Or it might mean reframing your daily work so you see how it contributes to something larger.

Small shifts can make a huge difference. One leader I coached recently realized he had buried his true passion for developing people under endless administrative tasks. By intentionally carving out weekly one-on-one time with his team, he didn’t just improve morale — he rediscovered the spark that drew him to leadership in the first place.

A Practical Step This Week

Take 15 minutes with a journal. Write down three moments when you felt most alive and certain in your leadership. Then ask: What do these reveal about my calling today?

Sometimes the spark isn’t gone — it just needs oxygen.

Why the New Name?

You may have noticed a few shifts in the name of this newsletter recently. Each step was part of refining the focus:

• Peak Performance Leader emphasized growth, but it felt too much like chasing results.

• Clear Path Leader brought clarity, but clarity alone doesn’t define what makes leadership distinct.

• Now, with The 1% Leader, the vision is sharper: equipping faith-driven leaders who want to rise above average — leading with conviction, clarity, and eternal impact.

And while the name has settled, the emphasis remains: leadership is both faith-driven and strategically strong. That’s the balance that defines the leaders I serve.

Your Invitation

If you’re ready to move beyond drift and rediscover why you lead, I want to invite you to join me for the very first 1% Leader Masterclass.

On Tuesday, October 7, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Pacific (Noon to 4:00 PM Eastern), we’ll spend four hours together unpacking what it means to step into the 1% of leaders who rise above average, lead with conviction, and build a lasting impact.

👉 Register here for the 1% Leader Masterclass

Why This Matters

Your best leadership moments aren’t behind you. They’re still ahead — if you’re willing to pause, reflect, and realign.

Because when your role matches your calling, leadership shifts from obligation back to inspiration.

On your side,
Phil

P.S. You may have noticed a few name shifts recently! This newsletter is now The 1% Leader, reflecting its focus on equipping faith-driven leaders to rise above average with conviction, clarity, and lasting impact.