In 2004, my life took a dramatic turn. After enduring five years of an abusive marriage with a man who seemed to have a split personality - Dr. Jekyll one moment and Mr. Hyde the next - I made the courageous decision to break free from the grip of fear and pain.

How many times have you felt like life or business was hard and you wanted to give up! You feel you’ve poured your heart and soul into something, only to feel drained and depleted. It is in the hard times that you build resilience which makes it easier to navigate life’s ups and downs. In the unpredictable rollercoaster of life, resilience is the ability to adapt, recover, and thrive in the face of adversity.

The leader who leads and serves well is an inspiration to those who follow. The leader is the individual whose followers believe and turn to for guidance in making decisions based on what is expected of them.

For many of us, the experiences of our childhood deeply influence the paths we walk as adults. If you’ve ever felt compelled to suppress your true feelings to remain safe in a volatile environment, I feel you—I was that person, too.

Welcome to this special issue of our magazine, dedicated to the ever evolving and profoundly impactful topic of Leadership. In today’s rapidly changing world, the need for strong, adaptive, and empathetic leaders has never been more critical.

In the business world, especially in entrepreneurship, it’s crucial to stay human and uphold empathy, compassion, and integrity. These traits are vital for achieving success. As someone once told me, “People don’t care what you say, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”

Tracey Samlow Starr is a vibrant serial entrepreneur, business and personal development coach, and multiple #1 Amazon best-selling author. Celebrated for her entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic dedication, Tracey is committed to positively impacting the world.