From Loud to Leader: How Kids Taught Me The Most IMPORTANT Leadership Skill
When I was younger, I was often put into leadership roles. At the time, I assumed it was because I was the loudest in the room. And honestly, when I was a teenager and into my early twenties, that was probably true. But volume isn’t vision. Being loud doesn’t automatically make you a leader.
In my mid-20s, someone asked me a question that completely changed my trajectory.
“You like kids, right?”
“Yes.”
“You can sing, act, speak, and dance, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then why don’t you start your own performing arts school?”
So I did.
The only problem was that I had absolutely no idea how to run a business, let alone how to lead one. I’m a non-linear, neuro-fabulous thinker, so in those early days, I found myself reacting to whatever was happening in front of me instead of planning strategically for growth. I modelled my teaching style on my old dance teacher, who was, quite frankly, a yeller. That lasted about a term before I realised that I wasn’t going to get the best out of anyone, including myself.
That was the turning point. I decided to focus on fun first, because that’s what motivates my own dopamine-driven brain. And fun became the gateway to growth. From there, I threw myself into learning — not just about teaching, but about advertising, marketing, sales, financials, delegation, and building systems. I studied how to create development pathways for students and, just as importantly, how to develop other leaders.
What I discovered was this: as a leader, I didn’t need to be the expert in everything. But I did need to understand enough to guide the direction, build systems I could delegate, and hold the vision.
And the real magic came when I focused intentionally on how I made people feel.
When I brought energy, passion, and genuine fun into the room, people leaned in. Students became more engaged, parents became more supportive, and my team became more inspired. And then the numbers started to grow. Ten students became fifteen, then twenty-five, then thirty-five. Within a year, I was running multiple classes, with over 100 students and twenty one-on-one vocal coaching clients.
The growth didn’t come from being the loudest person in the room. It came from creating a culture where people felt empowered, supported, and inspired to grow with me.
The lesson? Leadership isn’t about knowing it all. It’s about being willing to learn enough to guide the way, creating systems that allow others to shine, and showing up with energy and intention so people feel valued and inspired.
When you focus on how people feel in your presence, you don’t just build a team. You build a movement.
In your corner,
Monique
