Gordon's Path

Leadership isn’t about titles it’s about influence, action, and the impact you make on those around you. My journey with leadership has been shaped by two unique experiences: founding and running SneakersCanada, and captaining the Acadia Varsity Swim Team for two years. Both roles taught me that leadership is not one-size-fits-all. Instead, it’s a fluid, evolving skill that adapts to the people you lead and the challenges you face.

Understanding Leadership Styles

Before diving into my own experiences, it’s important to understand that leadership comes in many forms. The most commonly discussed leadership styles include:

• Autocratic – making decisions independently with little input from others.
• Democratic (Participative) – involving team members in decision-making.
• Laissez-faire (Delegative) – giving full freedom to team members to make decisions.
• Transformational – inspiring and motivating teams through vision and enthusiasm.
• Transactional – based on structure, rewards, and penalties.
• Situational – adapting your style depending on the task, team, or environment.

Each style has its time and place, and throughout my leadership journey, I’ve found myself switching between them depending on the context.

Leading at SneakersCanada: From Delegation to Collaboration

When I launched SneakersCanada, I was full of ideas and energy, but I quickly realized I couldn’t do everything alone. At the start, I adopted a more laissez-faire style, delegating tasks to my peers who became my employees. I didn’t offer much input because I didn’t want to overstep or risk damaging our peer relationships.

But one moment changed that. One of my team members came to me with a few marketing ideas and ended up designing the logo we still use today. That moment opened my eyes. I realized leadership wasn’t about having all the answers it was about creating a space where others could shine. From that point forward, I leaned into a more democratic and transformational approach, fostering collaboration and encouraging team ownership of the brand.

It was in that shift from delegating to collaborating that SneakersCanada really began to take off.

Leading in the Pool: The Empathic Captain

Being captain of the Acadia Varsity Swim Team brought out a different side of my leadership. This role wasn’t about building a business it was about building a culture. I found that leading by example and listening deeply to my teammates’ concerns made the biggest impact.

I gravitated toward a situational leadership style sometimes taking charge when needed, but often leaning into an empathetic, servant-leader mindset. I took pride in being a sounding board, helping solve problems, and creating an environment where people felt supported both in and out of the pool. The most rewarding part? Watching our team thrive not just as athletes, but as people.

What I’ve Learned

These experiences have taught me that great leaders don’t stick to one style they adapt. Sometimes leadership means stepping back and letting others lead. Other times, it means being the steady presence that keeps the team grounded.

If you’re stepping into a leadership role, my advice is this: listen first, lead second. The people around you often have the best ideas you just need to give them the space to share them. Be the kind of leader who empowers others, and you’ll be amazed at what you can build together.