Leadership Is More Than Results
Leadership Needs Impact
How do you measure your impact as a leader?
The answer to that question directly determines your short term and long-term health. The answer to that question determines the daily actions you take in your leadership role.
Ryan Morrison wrote this for an upcoming leadership guide:
“The world measures leadership by results. Rooted Leaders measure it by ripple.”
Gallup’s global research shows that 70% of a team’s engagement is attributable to the manager.
How do you know if you are making a positive impact in your team, organization, marriage, or with your kids?
What is the ripple effect of being around you?
Yes, the results of your execution matter. Yes, your ability to drive results is critical. The problem we have found is that many leaders are driving incredible results, but they’re struggling to find their leadership voice. They are getting it done at work but struggling to find connection with their spouse at home. They are connecting with their kids at home but struggling to find connection with their team.
Here are three ways we measure impact at Insight Leadership Group:
1) How well do you communicate?
When you distill information to others, are you clear on expectations, context, and action steps?
When you sit down with team members, do they lean in or brace for impact?
When you send an email, does your recipient respond with clarity or confusion?
2) How well do you empower?
Do you stay up late doing what others on your team could be doing?
Do you provide clear information to help your team know how to move forward with confidence?
Do you give your team opportunities to stretch themselves and grow?
3) How well do you challenge?
Do you hope people just figure it out and that you won’t have to tell them?
Do you provide feedback in a way that doesn’t make your next interaction with team members awkward.
Do you address issues right away or wait until you hit your boiling point?
Results are critical. Long term results that cultivate healthy culture are measured by the ripple effect of how well you communicate, empower, and challenge. The ripple effect of your impact is seen through your results and through your relationships.
Results without healthy relationships will be temporary.
Results with healthy relationships will be sustainable for the long haul.
Grab your notebook. Rate yourself 1 (rarely true) to 5 (always true) for each question:
Do you have healthy relationships at work — ones built on trust, honesty, and mutual respect?
Do you consistently encourage and recognize others’ contributions?
Do you empower your team to make decisions instead of micromanaging?
Do you address challenges quickly and directly (within three days of frustration)?
Do you ask coaching questions instead of giving constant directives?
Do you consistently execute on key priorities without letting busyness distract you?
Self-Score Rubric:
25–30: You’re making a strong, positive impact — others thrive around you.
20–25: You’re doing well; a few shifts will amplify your influence.
15–20: You’re surviving but losing traction. Reconnect to purpose.
10–15: You’re busy but disengaged. Realign before burnout hits.
1–10: You’re running on empty — time to get rooted again.
Every leader has to make an impact to be effective. To make a healthy impact, every leader needs to get results through effective communication, effective empowerment, and effective engagement in challenging conversations.
We have a few leadership programs in 2026 focused on helping leaders become healthy while also gaining the skills to make a positive impact as a leader. View Distilled, Executive Leadership Academy, Manage as Coach to see if you are fit to grow as a leader during 2026 in one of our programs.
