Leaders, have you ever found yourself in a situation that’s gone sideways? You know the kind – where frustration builds in your body, your patience runs thin, and it feels like the anger might just explode out of your head? Or maybe it’s a tricky, sensitive situation where something unexpected has happened, and all eyes are on you to see how you’ll respond.

It’s in these moments (especially) that your leadership is on display. How you show up can either build trust and admiration or chip away at your reputation. It can strengthen your team’s morale or completely deflate it. These moments don’t just test your patience; they reveal the type of leader you really are.

That’s why I often recommend what I call the “SMT” – the Social Media Test.

Here’s how it works: whenever you’re faced with a tough decision or a heated moment, ask yourself – If how I responded today was posted all over social media tomorrow, would I be proud of how I handled that situation…or would I cringe?

Humbling, right? But this simple test forces us to pause, notice how we’re showing up, and make intentional choices instead of reactive ones.

It’s for this specific reason that I encourage leaders I work with to create their own “North Star” – a personal guide for how they want to be known and remembered as a leader. Taking a few minutes to do this now will lead to powerful results and help you avoid embarrassment down the road.

To do this, take 10 minutes to reflect and answer these three questions:

• How do I want people to describe me as a leader?
• What behaviours do I want to consistently model, even under pressure?
• What impact do I want to leave on my team and organization?

Write your answers down. Put them on a sticky note where you’ll see them every day. Because when those challenging moments come (and they always do), that reminder will help you lead with intention instead of impulse.

And here’s the thing – it’s not just about tricky situations. Your North Star should also guide how you celebrate wins, recognize contributions, and lift others up. Leadership isn’t just tested in conflict; it’s revealed in the everyday moments too.

So, Leaders, give yourself a gift this week: carve out 10 minutes to answer these questions. Keep them visible. And remember…being a Great Leader doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a craft we continuously refine.

Learn more about our Leadership Development program here