Stop Reacting. Start Leading. (CtbG Y3:E8)

~ Angelo DelliSanti

One of the most common—and greatest—mistakes I see leaders make is keeping their heads down, dealing with whatever comes their way. They’re presented with an endless stream of problems, busily solving each one, sometimes quite effectively, and they call that leadership. But that’s not leadership; that’s reacting. Anyone can react. Not everyone can lead.

True leadership requires lifting our gaze to the horizon and planning a way forward, not only for ourselves but for others. And not just in passing, but with a vision fixed on the future and the possibilities that lie ahead.

Many people struggle to do this. They’re so caught up in the here and now that they get stuck in a never-ending cycle, much like someone spending all day responding to their inbox—addressing one problem only for others to pop up in its place.

Others do a bit better. They know they need a plan and they glance at the road ahead more often. But even then, their leadership is often limited by a close-range perspective, unable to see the bigger picture. They’re doing better than merely reacting, but they’re still missing the mark.

But great leadership goes further. It combines a consistent focus on the future with a higher perspective, allowing leaders to rise above the immediate and strategize at a higher level. With this approach, they’re not only able to see the path ahead but can recognize multiple roads and pathways to success. They see both the forest and, more importantly, the mountaintop. Now, they’re not just planning—they’re shaping the journey and the destination.

All leaders fall somewhere along this continuum, with periods of fluctuation. Still, some of you might recognize that you’re spending more far more time reacting than strategizing.

If that’s you, I invite you to step off the hamster wheel. Stop reacting and start leading. Look up, and focus on the things only you, as a leader, are uniquely positioned to do. By making this choice, you’ll grow as a leader—and your organization will grow with you.

Like greatness, stepping off the wheel is a choice.

#ChooseToBeGreat

Angelo

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Published by Angelo DelliSanti

“Education? You don’t want to do that with your life. You’ve got other plans.” That’s what Angelo DelliSanti’s high school counselor told him his senior year. And she was right—at first. Angelo had spent three years preparing to become a U.S. Navy officer. But an internship with a math teacher during his senior year changed everything. Helping struggling students master algebra sparked a passion for education that would shape his career. Over the next 15 years, Angelo served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal, returning to his alma mater to teach World History and later advancing to leadership roles. As a principal, Angelo implemented the Capturing Kids’ Hearts process, leading to remarkable academic gains, increased scholarships, record-breaking graduation rates, and improved school culture. These achievements earned him recognition as the Rowan-Salisbury Schools Principal of the Year in 2018. In 2022, Angelo joined Capturing Kids’ Hearts as a Leadership Solutions Strategist where he is dedicated to working together with school leaders to create remarkable schools. He holds a Bachelor’s in History and Secondary Education from UNC Charlotte, where he was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow. He also completed a Master’s in School Administration and completed all the required coursework for a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from his alma mater, earning the Outstanding Student Philip Morris Educational Fellowship in 2017. Angelo lives in North Carolina with his wife, Kasey, whom he married in 2008. Together, they enjoy escapes to the mountains and beaches. Angelo’s passions include golf, non-fiction books, cooking, and sharing meals filled with laughter and connection around the table.

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