One of the five C’s of leadership that every great leader embodies is the ability to cast a compelling vision. Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Fred Johnson, our founder, embraced a deep sense of purpose, forged out of personal pain and a challenging season in his life. From these experiences, he was inspired to start InitiativeOne, a leadership organization dedicated to transforming leaders to lead with authenticity, transparency, and vulnerability. Over these 25 years, Dr. Johnson has developed foundational principles that enable leaders to celebrate wins, even when the scoreboard may suggest otherwise. These principles have driven InitiativeOne’s success and impacted many leaders along the way.
“If you want to change the results, you have to start by changing your inner self-narrative.” Most leaders who enter the InitiativeOne Leadership Transformation process start with a self-belief of a 4.0. By the time they complete the program, this belief rises to a 7.0, transforming their view of feedback from something to avoid into a gift to embrace. Dr. Fred emphasizes the journey from “I am not enough” to “I am enough.” Changing one’s self-narrative reshapes thinking patterns, influences behavior, and prepares leaders to embrace conflict, discomfort, and growth. Your self-narrative shapes your attitude, and your attitude, in turn, determines how you see the world. For many leaders, the most profound lessons are born from moments of pain and challenge. When you change your self-talk, you change your view of the world and your impact within it.
Over the past 25 years, Dr. Fred and his team have coached leaders in various organizations to evolve into influential, impactful, and inspired individuals committed to pursuing their dreams. InitiativeOne was built on principles of purpose, meaning, and integrity. Acting within one's purpose is paramount. Dr. Fred advises, “If a decision doesn’t align with your principles and values, walk away.” True clarity comes only after a leader commits to their purpose. Building trust within a team starts with being trustworthy. When leaders build positive relationships and create collaborative teams, they inspire trust. Surrounding yourself with people who challenge you to be better is crucial. Strong teams sharpen each other and hold each other accountable.
Dr. Fred also reminds leaders to prioritize people over profit. Investing in people, pouring into them out of genuine belief and love, allows for a return on investment that takes care of itself. Leaders who invest in their team attract and retain top talent, creating a culture of support, development, and mutual respect.
Today, InitiativeOne continues to grow and impact leaders nationwide because one man, 25 years ago, dared to pursue his dream. “Anytime you pursue your dreams, you are moving upward.” Dr. Fred’s unwavering commitment to providing each partner a “10 experience” reflects his dedication to excellence and lasting impact. Because he believed in the power of purpose, his transformational work will continue to impact leaders for generations to come.