The Era of Earned Leadership

It's about time! We are officially past the era of leadership by default — where a title, tenure, or pedigree was enough to earn trust.

We are now in what I call, "The Era of Earned Leadership."

Trust isn’t assumed anymore. It’s earned — through clarity, courage, and behavior that should signal a commitment to empowering the people you serve.

Why this moment feels different:

1. Communities aren’t impressed by pretentious figureheads anymore. Especially younger donors and organizers. They don’t ask “what’s on your resume?” — they ask, “Are you doing the work?” If not, trust is withheld.

2. Boards can’t govern what they’re not living. Equity and justice are no longer concepts — they’re performance expectations. Leaders must know the communities they’re making decisions about.

3. Funders are checking for evidence, not intentions. Major funders are looking at who’s in the room, who has power, and whether accountability is real. “Diversity of thought” isn’t cutting it anymore.

4. Staff will no longer tolerate performative allyship. More CEOs are burning out from stagnant or resistant boards than from fundraising pressure. Silence is now seen as complicity - an unfavorable stance.

5. Leadership is measured by energy — not ego. Trusted leaders aren’t the loudest in the room — they’re the ones who move momentum, redistribute power, and disrupt comfort for the sake of mission.

So, what does earned leadership actually look like?

• Courageous clarity — naming what’s really at stake, not the safe version

• Shared decision-making — not top-down charity. Community members have real influence and power, not just gratitude for being “served or saved.”

• True alignment — not constant explaining or persuading. Board and staff are already on the same page and moving in sync — not operating in separate realities.

• Heat tolerance — the ability to stay in discomfort and make decisions anyway

  
  

This is the future of board leadership. And frankly — it’s about time! I'm saying it again for the people in the back.

"Leadership won’t be inherited anymore — it will be earned."

I’m Christal M. Cherry — The Board Pro.

I train, coach, and equip leaders to build boards that are powerful on purpose — not performative on paper. Let’s lead like we mean it.

If you’re a CEO who wants support leading with power, not in isolation…

Explore private CEO coaching with me, https://www.theboardpro.com/service-page/one-on-one-board-coaching