The Leadership Strength of a Multi-Passionate Path

If there’s one thing I’ve come to understand, it’s that there is no single path that defines a strong leader. Trust me. I've tried to be a nine-to-five person, or to follow a prescriptive way, but it's just not who I am. From training corporate leaders to my years as an opera singer, my volunteer work, raising a large family, and my time writing, performing, and arranging music, my journey has been anything but linear.

I've come to realize how rich and how wonderful it is when you can make peace with all the different parts of yourself and integrate them into pursuits that are fulfilling. Because yes, at first glance, my varied experiences might seem disconnected. But actually, each one is a unique thread that I've woven into a tapestry. And on that tapestry, the skills of genuine communication—the ability to connect, to listen, and to inspire—have emerged as the central pattern, becoming the very heart of my personal growth.

And that variety? It’s turned into my superpower, helping me stay adaptable, open to new perspectives, and able to connect with a wide range of audiences. These are all skills I bring to my role as a coach with The Humphrey Group, and they are a primary reason why I connect so strongly with our philosophy. Take, for example, our belief that “every conversation is a leadership opportunity”. It stands to reason, then, that the leaders who thrive are those who have become effective communicators, who know how to adapt their message to their audience while staying anchored in their values. For me, that adaptability and connection stem from one core value: curiosity.

Curiosity and Adaptability: The Power of an Open Mind

My winding, multi-passionate path has been a journey fueled by curiosity. It has helped me build a toolkit that I draw from daily. It’s what largely drives my exploration and keeps me learning from every person and every situation I encounter.

Curiosity—or curiosità, as Da Vinci called it—was the central pillar of his genius. For him, it wasn't just about being interested; it was an insatiable drive to question everything. He believed all knowledge was interconnected, and that's precisely how I see my own path. To me, it’s about approaching situations with an open mind, being inquisitive and, perhaps most importantly, being willing to change my mind in the face of new information. The skills I've gained in each of my varied pursuits— from strategic thinking to emotional awareness and a physical sense of a room—all come together to deepen my role as a trainer and coach.

My path has taught me that when you embody these traits, adaptability naturally follows. And when you’ve worked in multiple contexts and cultures, you learn to be nimble and assess new situations without being overwhelmed. Leadership, after all, isn’t about clinging to a single way of doing things but being responsive to the people and moments in front of you.

At The Humphrey Group, we call this being audience-centred. In other words, focusing on what matters to the person or group we are speaking to. Curiosity is the mindset that makes that possible. Instead of pushing my own agenda or relying on assumptions, I choose to explore what matters to my audience, ultimately building a foundation of trust and influence.

Leading With Conviction

In challenging situations, a leader's breadth of experience becomes their greatest asset. As a leader, you may have to interact with technical experts, motivate a team, or influence an external stakeholder—all in one day!

Each of those moments calls for a different approach, but a single core principle guides every action: leading with conviction. At The Humphrey Group, conviction means being clear on what you stand for, even (or perhaps especially) when you adapt your message or style to different audiences.

I’ve seen this principle in action not only in my corporate work but in every facet of my life. The core skill that flows from it —adaptability—is the same, whether throughout my journey I obtained sponsorships for a volunteer cause, dealt with volatile personalities in a recording studio, or coached a client for a high-stakes meeting: the ability to adapt my delivery while staying anchored to the ‘why’ behind my message.

Bringing it Home with Presence

The ability to draw from my diverse experiences naturally leads to another essential skill: presence. At The Humphrey Group, presence is not just about what people see, but rather how they feel after interacting with you. It’s about the impression you leave and the confidence you inspire.

For a long time, I’d struggle to introduce myself in a way that felt complete. I could lead entire leadership programs with ease, yet those first few minutes—the introduction—were always the hardest: I’d freeze. I worried that sharing the non-business side of my background—like my career as a professional opera singer—might invite bias or distract from the conversation. So I left out huge parts of my story, only for them to often surface later in awkward ways. A client might mention presentation nerves, for instance, and I’d naturally draw on my stage experience to offer a tip. If it landed with a “wow effect” (as it frequently did, given how unusual some of my alter egos have been), I’d find myself blurting out, “By the way, I’m also a professional opera singer”—and instantly wish I had owned that part of me from the start.

Eventually, I realized this wasn’t just about awkward introductions. Presence is more than posture, voice, or eye contact—and it’s also more than the words you say. It’s about bringing your whole self forward. When we hide meaningful parts of who we are, we chip away at the impression we leave. Now, true presence doesn’t mean full disclosure either! It involves some vulnerability, yes—but ultimately, it rests on authenticity. When I stopped editing parts of myself out and owned my story from the start, I projected greater ease, credibility, and confidence. And that’s the kind of presence people responded to.

True, you may not have a parallel profession like opera singing, but chances are, you have your own version of this truth. We all have outside interests that help shape us as leaders—whether it’s the teamwork you learned playing a sport, the focus you developed through a creative hobby, or the empathy you gained from personal relationships. The richest leadership emerges when we stop compartmentalizing and start embracing every dimension of who we are. And perhaps that is presence at its core—the impact people feel when you bring your whole self into the room.

Owning Your Multi-Passionate Path

From the corporate arena to the stage, in a world that often asks leaders to specialize, I’ve found strength in being multi-passionate. Leadership isn’t about a perfectly linear path. It’s about bringing all parts of yourself to the table—from your professional pursuits and personal interests to the wisdom you’ve gained from your life’s journey. My own journey has shown me that the richest leadership emerges when you embrace every dimension of who you are. Because when you do, you don’t just lead, you inspire.

Explore Executive Communication Coaching