It’s not a question I get asked often, but it’s one I’ve reflected on quietly over the years. I don’t lead crowds or chase titles, and I’m not someone who follows trends just to fit in. I simply like doing things in a way that feels true to who I am—and maybe that’s its own kind of leadership.

Since I was young, I’ve always leaned toward the different. I gravitated toward styles that felt classic and put-together, avoided anything too flashy or overdone, and made choices based on what made sense for me—not what everyone else was doing. I’ve never been loud about it, but I’ve always had a quiet pull toward being original.

People sometimes misread that. I’ve been mistaken for being distant or naive simply because I’m soft-spoken or reserved. But the truth is, I observe more than I speak. I pay close attention to energy, to intention, to actions over words. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but I’ve also learned to trust my gut—it’s rarely wrong.

I may not lead in the way people often expect. I don’t need attention or recognition. I’d rather be behind the scenes, doing what feels right, staying grounded, and letting my actions speak for themselves. If that makes me a leader in my own quiet way, then I’m grateful for it.

So, am I a leader or a follower? I think I’m just someone who chooses to walk her own path—and if that path inspires others to do the same in their own way, then maybe that’s what leadership is really about.