There are moments in every career when the path ahead is clear, familiar and well planned. And then there are moments when life presents us with something we never anticipated — an opportunity, a responsibility or a challenge that arrives unexpectedly and asks more of us than we imagined we were prepared to give.

I recently found myself in one of those moments. Stepping into an interim executive leadership role was not something I had mapped out for this season. Like many of you, I have always tried to approach my work with commitment, care and a willingness to serve wherever needed. But being asked to take on a demanding role with significant responsibility, many direct reports and a broad organizational impact is different from simply taking on another project. It is a reminder that leadership often finds us before we seek those leadership opportunities.

In this season, I also think about the concept of growth. When I think about growth, it rarely feels comfortable. If we are honest, most of us prefer certainty. We like to know what success looks like, what is expected and how the road ahead is likely to unfold. There is confidence in familiarity and comfort in routines we understand. Yet, growth rarely begins in comfort. New challenges tend to stretch us. They expose gaps in our knowledge, test our confidence and remind us that leadership is not about having every answer on day one. It is about being willing to learn, to listen and to move forward with courage even when there are unanswered questions. I have come to believe that uncertainty is not always a sign that we are in the wrong place. Sometimes it is a sign that we are being invited into a larger purpose — one that asks us to rely not only on our own experience, but also on our values, our teams and our ability to adapt.

My final thoughts are centered on servant leadership. At its best, leadership is not about title, position or visibility. It is about service. That conviction matters even more when the role is large, the pace is fast and the expectations are high. In those moments, servant leadership is not a soft idea; it is a grounding principle.

To me, servant leadership means remembering that the work is not about elevating ourselves. It is about supporting others so they can do their best work. It is about listening before speaking, seeking understanding before making assumptions and leading in a way that builds trust rather than demands it. It also means recognizing that every person in an organization contributes to its success. Every role matters. Every team matters. Every employee deserves dignity, support and respect.

So, if you find yourself facing something you did not see coming, I hope you will not dismiss yourself too quickly. (For example, thank you to those who answered the call to serve on the IPS annual conference committee 😊). You may be more ready than you think. And even where you are not yet ready, you can learn. You can ask for help. You can lead with humility. Ultimately, you can still grow and serve.