Since I was a young girl, I knew I wanted to help people. Growing up in a small border town called Edinburg, Texas, I didn’t have many role models in that field. But one day, I met a psychologist who made an impact on me. The way he listened, validated, and guided me felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, just like that psychologist had for me.

After earning my Bachelor’s degree, I felt ready to take on the world. I moved to San Antonio, Texas, to live with my long-distance boyfriend at the time. Soon after, I landed my first real job. However, reality hit me hard. The job wasn’t what I expected, and I felt stuck in a role that didn’t align with my strengths. To make matters worse, I had a toxic manager at work and a toxic boyfriend at home—both named Steve! Every day left me feeling drained, but deep down, I knew something had to change.

That’s when I made one of the toughest yet most important decisions of my life. I quit my job, broke up with my boyfriend, and moved to Austin, Texas. It was a scary leap, but I knew it was the only way to get back control of my life. Once I got there, things started to get better for me. I found a new job that actually allowed me to use my strengths, and I finally felt like I was back on track.

But then, something alarming happened. When COVID-19 hit, the CEO’s true colors showed—he cared more about profits than his clients or employees. Watching bad leadership hurt so many good people was a turning point for me. I realized how powerful leadership truly is. The right leader can inspire and uplift, while the wrong one can cause real harm.

That’s when I knew what I had to do. I quit my job again, pursued a PhD in Business Psychology, and dedicated myself to studying leadership. I wanted to understand what makes great leaders stand out and how to help others become the kind of leaders people want to follow.

Now, I’m here to share what I’ve learned with you.