4 minutes
The Shift to Professional Leadership
Several years ago, I read a book that shifted how I approached both my work and my mindset. In Do The Work, Steven Pressfield makes a powerful distinction between amateur and professional writers.
Amateurs are inconsistent. They wait for inspiration to strike, and often let distraction, fear and self-doubt stop them from doing the work.
In contrast, professional writers approach their work with discipline and consistency—showing up daily, taking deliberate action, following a clear plan, and maintaining a proactive mindset. They don’t wait for inspiration to strike, they write consistently, knowing that inspiration comes from the act of writing.
This concept directly applies to leadership, offering valuable insights for those striving to elevate their leadership.
From Reactive to Proactive
Most leaders struggle to be effective because they operate like amateurs—reacting to problems instead of anticipating them, prioritizing short-term tasks over long-term growth, and falling into passive leadership habits that limit their effectiveness and impact. Amateurs also overlook the role their personal energy plays in leadership, often staying up late, mindlessly scrolling on social media, and operating at a frantic pace.
Professional leaders, on the other hand, recognize that their energy directly impacts their effectiveness. They prioritize rest, take strategic breaks, and make time for rejuvenation and reflection, ensuring they show up as their best selves for their teams.
Amateur leaders operate reactively—they wait for motivation, avoid tough decisions, and hope things improve on their own.
Professional leaders are intentional. They plan, develop their teams, actively handle challenges, and don’t let circumstances dictate their leadership. Just like writing, leadership isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment, it’s about showing up and doing the work, day after day.
Mastering Leadership Complexity
The demands of leadership have never been greater. Today’s leaders face more complexity, rapid change, and higher expectations than ever before. The skills required for effective leadership have evolved significantly, making it even more challenging to navigate the role successfully.
In a world where adaptability is essential, leaders can no longer afford to operate on autopilot. This is why it’s more critical than ever for managers and executives to be intentional about how they manage their focus, ensuring they direct their energy toward what truly drives impact and long-term success.
In my work as a leadership consultant, I’ve noticed that many managers struggle with the idea of elevating their leadership. They believe that being overwhelmed, busy, and reactive is simply the reality of their role—that they have no control because their culture demands constant reaction.
This mindset keeps most leaders from making the leap to professional leadership—the level where real impact is made, and lasting influence is built. They convince themselves they don’t have a choice, and that responding to every demand is just part of the job. As a result, they make excuses for why they can’t be more proactive, block focus time, or plan ahead.
The difference with professional leaders is in how they approach this challenge. They still face distractions, interruptions, and complexities, but they manage them differently. They recognize that they have control over their focus and energy, and they use that awareness as the foundation for how they structure their day and lead their teams. Instead of being consumed by the chaos, they manage it with intention—prioritizing what matters, protecting their time, and leading with purpose.
What separates amateur and professional leaders isn’t experience—it’s mindset, habits, and daily actions. While amateurs lead reactively and hope for the best, professionals take intentional steps to elevate their teams and organizations.
Below is a comparison of key behaviors that distinguish the two.
These are just some of the key differences between amateur and professional leaders.
You have the ability to take ownership of your leadership and shift to a professional mindset and operating style. With consistent, daily actions and intentionality, you can elevate yourself from an amateur to a professional leader. Leadership is not defined by a title or years of experience, it is shaped by the habits you build and the choices you make every day.
Shifting to professional leadership means taking ownership, planning ahead, addressing challenges, and consistently developing both yourself and your team. By being intentional in how you lead, making proactive choices, and committing to continuous improvement, you will build the trust, influence, and impact that define truly exceptional leaders.
That is how you elevate from amateur to professional.
Laurie Maddalena, MBA, CSP, CPCC, is a certified executive coach, leadership consultant and founder of CUES Supplier member Envision Excellence LLC in the Washington, D.C., area. Her mission is to create exceptional cultures by teaching leaders how to be exceptional. Maddalena facilitates management and executive training programs and team-building sessions and speaks at leadership events. Prior to starting her business, she was an HR executive at a $450 million credit union. Contact her at 240.605.7940 or info@lauriemaddalena.com
