---
title: "The Secret Weapon for Aspiring Execs: a Personal Leadership Philosophy"
description: Your Personal Leadership Philosophy will keep you on course and give you clarity. It's a little-known tool that provides confidence, conviction and more...
image: https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/258%20-%20poet.svg
---

[Skip to content](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/aspiring-execs-philosophy#main-content)

![people first productivity solutions logo](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hs-fs/hubfs/people%20first%20logo%20xlarge-1.png?width=250&height=108&name=people%20first%20logo%20xlarge-1.png)

- [Home](https://peoplefirstps.com)
- [Leadership](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership-program-design)
  
  Show submenu for Leadership 
  
    - [The Leadership Challenge®](https://peoplefirstps.com/the-leadership-challenge)
    - [The Leadership Practices Inventory®](https://peoplefirstps.com/lpi)
    - [Supervisor Training](https://peoplefirstps.com/supervisor-training)
    - [Leaders at Every Level](https://peoplefirstps.com/leaders-at-every-level)
    - [Leadership Coaching](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership-coaching)
    - [Leadership Program Design](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership-program-design)
- [Teams](https://peoplefirstps.com/executive-teams)
  
  Show submenu for Teams 
  
    - [Executive Teams](https://peoplefirstps.com/executive-teams)
    - [Team Building](https://peoplefirstps.com/team-building)
    - [People Practices](https://peoplefirstps.com/people-practices)
    - [Communication Skills](https://peoplefirstps.com/communication-skills)
    - [Trust at Work](https://peoplefirstps.com/trust-at-work)
    - [Personality Style](https://peoplefirstps.com/personality-style)
    - [Conflict at Work](https://peoplefirstps.com/conflict-at-work)
- Personal Growth
  
  Show submenu for Personal Growth 
  
    - [Soft Skills](https://peoplefirstps.com/soft-skills)
    - [Your Voice Matters](https://peoplefirstps.com/your-voice-matters)
    - [Emotional Intelligence](https://peoplefirstps.com/emotional-intelligence)
    - [1:1 Coaching](https://peoplefirstps.com/1-on-1-coaching)
- Resources
  
  Show submenu for Resources 
  
    - [The People First Leadership Academy](http://www.peoplefirstpotential.com)
    - [Connect2Lead Newsletter](https://peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead-newsletter)
    - [Books](https://peoplefirstps.com/books)
    - [Workshop Calendar](https://peoplefirstps.com/workshop-calendar)
- [About](https://peoplefirstps.com/about)
- [Contact](https://peoplefirstps.com/contact-us)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- [Home](https://peoplefirstps.com)
- [Leadership](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership-program-design)
  
  Show submenu for Leadership 
  
    - [The Leadership Challenge®](https://peoplefirstps.com/the-leadership-challenge)
    - [The Leadership Practices Inventory®](https://peoplefirstps.com/lpi)
    - [Supervisor Training](https://peoplefirstps.com/supervisor-training)
    - [Leaders at Every Level](https://peoplefirstps.com/leaders-at-every-level)
    - [Leadership Coaching](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership-coaching)
    - [Leadership Program Design](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership-program-design)
- [Teams](https://peoplefirstps.com/executive-teams)
  
  Show submenu for Teams 
  
    - [Executive Teams](https://peoplefirstps.com/executive-teams)
    - [Team Building](https://peoplefirstps.com/team-building)
    - [People Practices](https://peoplefirstps.com/people-practices)
    - [Communication Skills](https://peoplefirstps.com/communication-skills)
    - [Trust at Work](https://peoplefirstps.com/trust-at-work)
    - [Personality Style](https://peoplefirstps.com/personality-style)
    - [Conflict at Work](https://peoplefirstps.com/conflict-at-work)
- Personal Growth
  
  Show submenu for Personal Growth 
  
    - [Soft Skills](https://peoplefirstps.com/soft-skills)
    - [Your Voice Matters](https://peoplefirstps.com/your-voice-matters)
    - [Emotional Intelligence](https://peoplefirstps.com/emotional-intelligence)
    - [1:1 Coaching](https://peoplefirstps.com/1-on-1-coaching)
- Resources
  
  Show submenu for Resources 
  
    - [The People First Leadership Academy](http://www.peoplefirstpotential.com)
    - [Connect2Lead Newsletter](https://peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead-newsletter)
    - [Books](https://peoplefirstps.com/books)
    - [Workshop Calendar](https://peoplefirstps.com/workshop-calendar)
- [About](https://peoplefirstps.com/about)
- [Contact](https://peoplefirstps.com/contact-us)

[All posts](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/all)

 January 10, 2017

# The Secret Weapon for Aspiring Execs: a Personal Leadership Philosophy

[Deb Calvert](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/author/deb-calvert)  ·   2 minute read

Most leaders don't have a formal one. Many have never even heard of this before. But a Personal Leadership Philosophy (PLP) can make all the difference between an effective leader and one who isn't as a confident, grounded and easy to follow.

![Graphic Showing Talking While Having a Water Break](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/water1.svg)

For me, having a PLP has made every decision easier and every relationship stronger in business. That includes a very big decision I made 11 years ago. That's when I decided to go into business for myself instead of taking a job offer that everyone else said was too good to pass up.

It was a great opportunity, double the salary I’d been earning and THE company everyone wanted to work for in 2006. I said “no” to the offer and founded People First Productivity Solutions instead.

The offer, incredible as it was, didn’t fit the commitments I’d made in my personal life. Raising a special needs child, I’d determined that I needed flexibility in my schedule. I had promised myself, in writing, that flexibility — above all else — would determine my next career move.

There was pressure to take that job. I was tempted to reconsider, and I started rationalizing how much that money could help us as a family. But I knew, in my heart of hearts, that it wouldn’t be right to make this move. I was committed to the course I’d set.

What I hadn’t done yet is communicate my values and committed course to others. That’s why they couldn’t understand my decision and challenged me to do something I did not feel good about doing.

Eleven years later, I can say this is the best thing I’ve ever done in my professional life. My son’s needs were met, my company was born and is thriving, and the financial rewards far surpass what I’d been offered. Best of all, I still worked for that company. I became a consultant to them and made more than I would have as their employee.

Having a Personal Leadership Philosophy and staying true to it has served me very well. The same is true for dozens of coaching clients who have developed their own PLP and seen their careers and personal job satisfaction soar as a result.

#### Would you like to develop your own Personal Leadership Philosophy? Here are 3 ways to get started.

 1. Check out [this article](https://medium.com/@PeopleFirstPS/to-lead-you-need-a-personal-leadership-philosophy-its-not-optional-any-more-9369e008eec7#.ggwj68710) on Medium that describes the steps and what to do.

  

 2, Go straight to our [resource page](https://peoplefirstps.com/my-leadership-philosophy/) to see a sample Personal Leadership Philosophy from one of our clients plus additional tools you need to get started.

3. Consider hiring an Executive Coach to help you develop your Personal Leadership Philosophy and boost your leadership effectiveness. This [simple self-assessment](https://aa6e3c.a2cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Is-Coaching-the-Right-Solution-for-You-Checklist.pdf) will help you determine whether or not it makes sense for you to work with an Executive Coach at this point.

*![Connect2LeadImage.png](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Connect2LeadImage.png?width=226&height=91&name=Connect2LeadImage.png)*

*Deb Calvert is a certified Executive Coach, Certified Master with The Leadership Challenge® and architect of leadership development programs for nearly 100 organizations. She helps leaders at every level discover and achieve their leadership goals. Deb is the founder of [People First Productivity Solutions](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership/), building organizational strength by putting people first since 2006.*

Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/aspiring-execs-philosophy) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/aspiring-execs-philosophy) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/aspiring-execs-philosophy) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/aspiring-execs-philosophy)

## Related posts

[![Graphic Showing People Standing while thinking](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/88%20-%20eureka.svg)](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/ask-follow-up-questions)

[asking questions](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/topic/asking-questions)

### [Ask Follow-Up Questions before Shifting to Solution](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/ask-follow-up-questions)

[![Graphic Showing Holding a Flag](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/lead-1.svg)](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/leadership-philosophy-consistent-credible)

[credibility](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/topic/credibility)

### [A Transparent Leadership Philosophy Makes You Consistent, Credible](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/leadership-philosophy-consistent-credible)

[![](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/controlfreak-1.svg)](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/warning-signs-of-toxic-leadership-10)

[command and control](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/topic/command-and-control)

### [Warning Signs of Toxic Leadership Part 10: Poor Delegation Skills](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/warning-signs-of-toxic-leadership-10)

![PFPS](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/PFPS.svg)

### Deb Calvert, founder

Putting PEOPLE First since 2005 [deb.calvert@peoplefirstps.com](mailto:deb.calvert@peoplefirstps.com)

[PFPS Information](https://peoplefirstps.com/about)

![C2L](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/C2L.svg)

### Newsletter Sign-Up

Join the CONNECT Community for weekly updates, free courses, and bonus content.

[Newsletter Sign-Up](https://peoplefirstps.com/sign-up-connect-community)

![PFLA](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/hubfs/PFLA.svg)

### Leadership Academy

Live, eLearning, pre-recorded, coaching, and assessment learning experiences.

[Leadership Academy](https://www.peoplefirstpotential.com/)

#### Sitemap

**Home**

**Leadership**  
[The Leadership Challenge®](https://peoplefirstps.com/the-leadership-challenge)  
[The Leadership Practices Inventory®](https://peoplefirstps.com/lpi)   
[Supervisor Training](https://peoplefirstps.com/supervisor-training)   
[Leaders at Every Level ](https://peoplefirstps.com/leaders-at-every-level)  
[Leadership Coaching ](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership-coaching)  
[Custom Leadership Programs](https://peoplefirstps.com/leadership-program-design)

**Teams**  
[Executive Teams](https://peoplefirstps.com/executive-teams)  
[Team Building](https://peoplefirstps.com/team-building)   
[People Practices ](https://peoplefirstps.com/people-practices)  
[Communication Skills ](https://peoplefirstps.com/communication-skills)  
[Trust at Work ](https://peoplefirstps.com/trust-at-work)  
[Personality Style ](https://peoplefirstps.com/personality-style)  
[Conflict at Work](https://peoplefirstps.com/conflict-at-work)

**Personal Growth**  
[Soft Skills](https://peoplefirstps.com/soft-skills)  
[Your Voice Matters](https://peoplefirstps.com/your-voice-matters)  
[Emotional Intelligence](https://peoplefirstps.com/emotional-intelligence)  
[Discover Your Strengths](https://peoplefirstps.com/discover-your-strengths)  
[1:1 Coaching](https://peoplefirstps.com/1-on-1-coaching)

**Resources**  
[PFLA](http://www.peoplefirstpotential.com)  
[Connect2Lead Blog](https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead)  
[Newsletter Subscription](https://peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead-newsletter)  
[Books](https://peoplefirstps.com/books)

[About](https://peoplefirstps.com/about)

[**Contact**](https://peoplefirstps.com/contact-us)

facebook-f icon linkedin-in icon twitter icon instagram icon

```
©2023 People First Productivity Solutions. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy. Material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with prior written permission from People First Productivity Solutions.
```

 

 

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "Article",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : [ "Deb Calvert" ],
    "url" : "https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/author/deb-calvert"
  },
  "datePublished" : "2017-01-10T08:36:00+0000",
  "description" : "Your Personal Leadership Philosophy will keep you on course and give you clarity. It's a little-known tool that provides confidence, conviction and more...",
  "headline" : "The Secret Weapon for Aspiring Execs: a Personal Leadership Philosophy",
  "image" : "https://2524398.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2524398/258%20-%20poet.svg",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://2524398.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2524398/people%20first%20logo%20xlarge-1.png"
    },
    "name" : "People First Productivity Solutions"
  },
  "url" : "https://blog.peoplefirstps.com/connect2lead/aspiring-execs-philosophy"
}
```