“Who sows virtue reaps honor.”
Leonardo da Vinci
The Seeds of Leadership
I once heard someone say that leadership isn’t a title—it’s a responsibility. That hits home because it is far to easy to think of leadership as a role you earn through hard work, recognition, or achievement. But as you embrace the responsibility that leadership truly is, it is much deeper: leadership is about who you are when no one is watching.
That’s where virtue comes in.
Virtue isn’t just about behaving well when others expect it. It’s about choosing to live with integrity, honesty, and humility—not because it’s convenient, but because it’s right. Every decision we make plants a seed. The question is, are we planting seeds of virtue or something else?
The honor that comes with leadership isn’t something we can chase. It’s a byproduct of consistently choosing to do what’s right, even when no one sees.
Let’s explore what it really means to sow virtue—and how that choice determines the kind of leader you become.
Virtue in Leadership: Why Character Always Wins
It’s easy to get caught up in results. Leaders are wired to chase success, to build, to win. But in that pursuit, some leaders forget the foundation that holds everything together: character.
The best leaders—the ones people trust, follow, and respect—aren’t the ones with the most accolades. They’re the ones who show up with integrity every single day. They do what they say they will. They don’t cut corners. They don’t take the easy way out.
Honor isn’t about being perfect. It’s about consistently aligning your actions with your values. It’s about making the right choices, even when no one is watching.
In her book Dare to Lead, Brené Brown talks about the courage it takes to lead with vulnerability and integrity. She says, “Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; it’s choosing what’s right over what’s fun, fast, or easy.”
That’s what virtue in leadership looks like: choosing the harder path because it’s the right one.
The Hard Road: Why Virtue Is a Choice, Not an Accident
Sowing virtue doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you make the hard choices—again and again.
I remember a time when I was leading a team under pressure. Deadlines were tight, expectations were high, and the temptation to cut corners was real. It would have been easy to justify small compromises—rushing a project without proper review, ignoring a mistake to save time, bending the truth to protect our reputation.
I nearly made a decision that went against my core values. It wasn’t a major ethical breach, but it was a little compromise that would have made things easier in the short term. Thankfully, I paused and asked myself, “Is this who I want to be as a leader?” That question pulled me back.
Small compromises don’t stay small. They erode trust. And trust is everything in leadership.
I remember watching Simon Sinek’s TED Talk Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe and thinking: This is it. Leadership isn’t about power—it’s about trust. And trust is built when we consistently choose virtue over convenience. If you haven’t seen it yet, take 12 minutes to watch—it’s worth it.
Are you choosing the hard, virtuous path—even when no one is looking?
Sowing Virtue Daily: Small Actions, Big Impact
Virtue isn’t built in the big moments. It’s built in the small, daily decisions.
- How you treat your team when stress is high.
- Whether you own your mistakes or shift blame.
- If you keep your word—even when it’s inconvenient.
Every one of these choices plants a seed. And over time, they shape your leadership legacy.
One of my mentors used to say, “The leader you become is built in the minutes, not the milestones.” That truth has stuck with me. It’s the everyday choices—not the big achievements—that determine whether we reap honor or regret.
What small actions today are shaping your leadership legacy?
How to Cultivate Virtue in Leadership
Define Your Core Virtues
What are the values that define your leadership? Write them down. Make them visible. Hold yourself to them.
Ask yourself:
- Would my team describe me as a person of integrity?
- Do my daily actions reflect my stated values?
Act with Integrity, Even When No One Is Watching
Great leaders do the right thing—not because they have to, but because they choose to.
- Before making a tough decision, ask: Would I be proud of this choice five years from now?
- Seek accountability from a mentor or coach who will challenge you to stay true to your values.
Hold Yourself Accountable
Virtue isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being honest—with yourself and others.
- Build daily habits that reinforce virtue: journaling, self-reflection, or debriefing with a trusted advisor.
- Admit mistakes when you make them. Own them fully. That’s leadership.
What Seeds Are You Planting?
At the end of the day, leadership isn’t about status. It’s about character.
The seeds you plant today will define your leadership tomorrow. This is why virtue in leadership isn’t an option—it’s a necessity. Every decision you make today shapes the leader you become tomorrow.
So, here’s the real question: What seeds are you planting?
