5 Signs You’re a Good Leader! But Not Yet an Effective One.

Jamal Hegwood
May 15
3 min read

Let’s be clear about one thing: being a good leader is admirable. You care about your team, you put in the work, and you want to make a difference. But here’s the hard truth most leaders never get told: good doesn’t always mean effective.

There’s a gap that exists between potential and performance, between intention and impact. Many leaders live in that gap for years, doing "well enough" but never quite breaking into the level of leadership that transforms teams, cultures, or outcomes.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m doing everything I know to do, so why does it still feel like something’s missing?”—this blog is for you.

1. You’re Busy, But Not Always Impactful

You’re always in motion. Your calendar is full, your phone stays active, and you’re in the loop on everything. But despite all that movement, your team still lacks clarity, direction, or energy. If you stepped away tomorrow, would things keep moving forward or stall?

Busyness is not the same as effectiveness. Great leaders don’t just stay involved; they build systems, people, and clarity that can operate even in their absence.

2. You’re Well-Liked, But Decisions Feel Delayed

Your team appreciates you, and you’ve created a safe and supportive environment. That matters—a lot. But if you're hesitant to make tough calls, avoid conflict, or keep delaying key decisions in the name of being “nice,” your leadership may be more comforting than catalytic. Good leaders care deeply. Effective leaders care enough to act decisively even when it’s uncomfortable.

3. You Solve Problems, But Don’t Always Empower Others

You’re the go-to person when things go wrong. You know how to fix it, figure it out, and keep things running. That’s great in the short term, but in the long term, it creates dependency instead of development.

An effective leader doesn’t just solve problems—they raise up problem-solvers. They ask the questions that help others think, stretch, and grow. They create more leaders, not more followers.

4. You’re Vision-Aware, But Not Vision-Driven

You believe in the vision. You talk about the vision. But are you leading with it? Is it guiding your meetings, your hiring, your priorities, your team check-ins? Or has it quietly taken a backseat to the weekly grind?

Good leaders know where the organization is headed. Effective leaders align daily actions with that direction, and they bring others into the journey.

5. You Know Your Role, But Not Your Edge

You’ve figured out the tasks, the responsibilities, the expectations. But have you figured out you?

Every effective leader has a leadership edge—a natural strength that shapes how they lead best. Some lead with Vision, others with Empathy, Structure, Democracy, or Empowerment. If you don’t know yours, it’s easy to fall into generic leadership advice that works well for someone else but not for you.

Your edge isn’t just about style, it’s about strategy. And when you know it, you begin leading with more self-awareness, more confidence, and more clarity.

So What Now?

If any of these signs hit home, take it as a sign of growth, not guilt. You’re not stuck—you’re standing on the edge of something more. And the next step is simple.

👉🏾 Take the Effective Leadership Test (ELT). 👈🏾

The ELT helps you discover your leadership edge, evaluate your leadership level, and get practical insights you can act on today. Whether you’re leading in ministry, business, education, or entrepreneurship, this tool was built for leaders like you—people who care enough to grow.

You can’t lead others well until you understand how you lead best. That’s where the ELT comes in.

➡️ Take the ELT today and find your edge.