- Full Potential Zone
- Posts
- What You’re Missing Is at the Bottom
What You’re Missing Is at the Bottom
What’s missing isn’t at the top...
Justin Mecham
June 23, 2025
Hey Full Potential Zoners!
That’s right - I am hosting a totally free masterclass on how to create and sell digital products - save your seat here.
The best leaders don’t stand above— they build from the bottom up.
They don’t chase titles or recognition.
They build trust. They build culture. They build people.
Please check out the incredible opportunity from today’s sponsor. 👇
You’re already learning how to lead.
You’ve got stories, tools, strategies, and lessons worth sharing.
What if that knowledge could also become a product people pay for?
That’s exactly what creatyl helps you do.
✅ Inside creatyl, you can:
Turn your leadership experience into digital products, coaching, or guides
Launch a simple storefront in minutes—no tech mess
Track everything in one place (sales, leads, and more)
🧠 You’re already putting in the work. Let it pay off in more ways than one.
🚨 LIMITED SPOTS: The next 5 readers who upgrade to a paid plan get personal help from me. I’ll help you shape your product or offer and get it ready to sell.
Visionary leadership isn’t about leading louder— it’s about helping others see what’s possible.
Because the best leaders don’t build empires.
They build people who go further than they ever could alone.
Today we are going to help leaders master this by using:
‘Pyramid Of Leadership'.
Let’s dive in!
Download This PDF + my Top 60+ Cheat Sheets At Bottom of Email
From Theory to Action: 4 Ways to Lead With Confidence
1. Your Team Is Burned Out and Disconnected
Scenario: Morale is low, people are tired, and no one’s going above the bare minimum.
Start at the base:
Show you're still working hard, show up on time, and actually check in with your team.
Not a meeting. A real conversation.
Next level:
Don’t wait for HR—build trust by admitting your own struggles.
People follow people, not job titles.
Middle of the pyramid:
Ask better questions.
Example: “What’s one small change that would make work feel better this week?”
Top level:
Paint a new picture.
Remind the team why the work matters. Even if it’s small, say it.
Vision isn’t just for CEOs—it's for moments like this.
2. You're a New Manager and Don’t Feel Confident Yet
Scenario: You just got promoted and now lead people who used to be your peers.
Start here:
Build credibility by doing the boring things well (being on time, being prepared, doing what you say).
Step up:
Have one-on-one talks and ask: “What helps you do your best work?” Then listen.
In the middle:
Pick 1 team goal and get clear on the plan, the communication, and the roles.
That’s the strategic layer in action.
Keep climbing:
Once trust builds, bring in empathy—talk about pressures they face, and let them see yours too.
Top move:
Ask your team, “Where do you want to be in 1 year?” This makes you a leader with vision, not just a manager.
3. You’re Leading a Tough Project With No Clear Path
Scenario: Deadlines are tight, and no one has done this kind of work before.
Base level:
Show your commitment—be the one who stays a little later or volunteers for the hard stuff.
Next step:
Admit you don’t have all the answers.
That shows self-awareness and creates space for others to speak up.
Middle of the pyramid:
Hold a short “what’s working / what’s not” check-in every Friday.
Keep it simple, keep it honest.
Upper level:
Start praising tiny wins publicly.
That builds momentum and shows you're leading by example.
Top tip:
Even if the final picture isn’t clear, share the “why” behind the project regularly.
That’s how vision gets built—in pieces, not perfection.
4. You're Trying to Lead Without a Title (Freelancer, Creator, Volunteer, etc.)
Scenario: You’re in charge of a community or team but don’t have official power.
Foundation first:
Do what you say, show up consistently, and help others without expecting credit.
Next block:
Be the person others trust to follow through.
Reliability builds quiet influence.
Middle step:
Don’t talk over people.
Be the one who listens and helps organize ideas.
Above that:
When people hit conflict, bring empathy and honesty into the room.
That’s true leadership in disguise.
Vision moment:
Share a personal story about why this work matters to you.
People connect with that more than fancy words.
You don’t need 10 new ideas. You need one strong one — used three smart ways.
Here’s the system that works again and again:
Step 1: Start With What You Know
Pick one simple idea people ask you about or thank you for.
It could be advice you always give, a strategy that works, or a tip that saves time.
Don’t overthink it. If someone’s ever said, “That was helpful,” start there.
Step 2: Use That Idea 3 Ways
Teach it
Turn it into a mini product: a guide, checklist, or recorded walkthrough.
Sell it
Offer a short paid session or low-cost coaching where you explain and apply it live.
Systemize it
Turn it into a tool or repeatable service others can use or book.
Each one solves the same problem—just at different levels.
That’s how one idea creates more than one result.
Step 3: Use creatyl to Make It Real
You can build all three versions inside creatyl:
Upload a guide or resource
Add a service or coaching option
Link it all together in your storefront
No tech mess. No extra platforms. Just one place to run it all.
That’s momentum in one simple step.
You don’t need a full plan.
You just need one link that actually gets clicked.
Most people overbuild. The smart ones start simple.
Here's how you can make it real today:
Daily Leadership Pyramid Challenge
Step 1: Pick Your Lesson
Choose one layer from the Leadership Pyramid that feels most relevant today.
Example: “I need to work on being more adaptable,” or “I want to lead with more honesty.”
Step 2: Find a Real-World Test
Think of one situation today where that skill will be tested.
Example: “I have a tough meeting,” or “I usually go quiet during group discussions.”
Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Choose a real one.
Step 3: Use the ‘One Level Up’ Rule
When the moment happens, pause and ask:
“What would someone one level higher on the pyramid do right now?”
Then try it.
If you're at the “Hard Work” level, maybe that means asking for feedback (Self-Awareness).
If you’re working on “Empathy,” one level up might mean leading by example and acknowledging someone else’s hard day out loud.
Step 4: Watch for Ripple Effects
Did your action change the energy?
Did someone open up, step in, or say something they normally wouldn’t?
Leadership shows in how others respond—watch closely.
Step 5: Write Your Own Climb
At the end of the day, answer:
What level did I lead from today?
What would it take to move up one level tomorrow?
AI Prompt: “Act as a leadership coach. Help me apply one level of the Pyramid of Leadership to a real moment I’ll face today.
Current Level I’m Working From: [Insert level, e.g., “Agility”]
Today’s Challenge or Moment: [Insert real moment, e.g., “Team meeting where I need to speak up”]
Next Level I Want to Reach: [Insert next level up, e.g., “Strategic Thinking”]Create:
A breakdown of what someone at the next level would do differently in this exact situation
1 simple sentence I can use or say during the moment
1 quick action I can take before or after to reinforce the lesson
A reflection question I can ask myself at the end of the day
Keep everything clear, realistic, and based on how real people lead—not just what sounds good in a book.”
Leadership isn’t something you have. It’s something you do.
You don’t need to be perfect to lead.
You just need to be clear about how you want to lead.
Every level of the pyramid is built on what you do when no one’s watching.
If something feels off, start at the bottom and build your way back up.
Leadership breaks down when we skip steps.
But it grows strong when we lead with truth, not shortcuts.
Until next time and with lots of love,
Justin
This Week’s Growth Recommendations
Book To Read:
“Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek (see it here)
TED Talk to Watch:
“What it takes to be a great leader" by Roselinde Torres (see it here)
Guide to Download:
“Create Once. Earn Forever.” My personal step-by-step plan on how I earn money as a creator and how you can too (see it here)
I created an online version of my live cohort at a 94% lower cost!
🏆 Everything the live cohort has - just do it at your own pace
✔ 550+ Prompts for ANY Work/Life Situation
✔ Learn to Master ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Grok, Copilot
✔ Results You’ll See Fast
✔ Yours for Life - Learn on Your Schedule
✔ Clear, Step-by-Step Execution
✔ No Confusion, No Guesswork
✔ No Tech Skills? No Problem.
✔ Save Hours, Cut Costs, Work Smarter
✅ AND SO MUCH MORE
👉 Every day without AI in your leadership is a missed opportunity.
👉 Check out the course I made that teaches ANYONE to be a design expert!
✅ Step-by-step modules to master:
✔️Infographics that stand out in the feed
✔️Cheat sheets that simplify complex ideas
✔️Carousels that drive massive engagement
✔️Quote images that get shared
✔️Lead magnets that attract the right audience & MUCH MORE
✅ PLUS 220+ Done-for-You Templates – Customize them in minutes and make them your own.
📑 Today’s PDF
Download today’s PDF by Clicking Here
📑 Justin’s Top 60+ Cheat Sheets
Download All 60+ PDFs by Clicking Here
Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe and get my free eBook Click Here
Want to Sponsor this newsletter or a LinkedIn post? Click Here