Becoming a Great Leader: Lessons from the Northern Lights

Recently at our ranch in Montana, the sky put on an amazing performance. The aurora borealis—usually reserved for far-northern latitudes—spilled across the Big Hole Valley like someone had spilled a can of paint beneath the stars. Pinks, greens, and deep purples shimmered above the mountains, pastures, and our 100-year-old barn. But here’s what surprised me most: what my iPhone camera captured was far more vivid than what my natural eyes could see.With a longer exposure, the sensor picked up what was truly there—not just the faint glow my naked eye interpreted.

That moment has stayed with me because leadership is a lot like photographing the northern lights. Here are four great leadership lessons prompted by the northern lights:

1. Beyond First Impressions

Human beings rely on fast impressions. In leadership, we react to the “quick exposure” version of situations: the short conversations, the hurried meetings, the surface-level emotions of our teams. But just like the sky that evening, the truth is often fuller, richer, and more colorful than what we first perceive.

Great leaders don’t assume they have the whole picture.

They pause. They ask. They listen. They give situations the “longer exposure” they deserve. Only then do the deeper dynamics—the motivations, fears, hopes, and ideas—begin to reveal themselves.

2. Long Exposure Requires Stillness

Try taking a long exposure photo while moving. It doesn’t work. You need steadiness, patience, and intentionality. Leadership is the same.

Great leaders who consistently make wise decisions are not the ones in constant motion. They are the ones who build stillness into their rhythms to reflect before responding, to process before judging, to center themselves before leading others.

3. People Shine Brighter When You Show Them Their Colors

My favorite part of photographing the aurora was showing others what the camera captured. I kept hearing comments like “We were under this?” and “I had no idea the sky could do that.” Leadership is often the same revelation.

Great leaders pause to help others see their strengths more clearly. A team member who feels seen often becomes a team member who shines. They bring out ideas, creativity, and ownership that were always there… just not visible under quick-exposure leadership. When team members keep looking down at their gaps, we will serve them well by helping them look up at their vivid value.

4. Extraordinary Moments Often Come Without Warning

Nobody scheduled the aurora. It didn’t show up in Outlook. It didn’t RSVP. It simply appeared—and because we were willing to step outside, pause, and look up, we caught something extraordinary.

Great leaders are ready for the unplanned moments: the unexpected breakthrough conversation, the honest confession from a team member, the sudden clarity during a drive or a walk or a quiet moment on the porch. You never know when the “lights” will show up, but you can posture yourself to notice them when they do.

A Leadership Call to Action

This week, practice being a great leader with longer exposure. Slow down a conversation. Ask an extra question. Seek the colors beneath the surface.You may discover that the people you lead—and the situations you face—are far more beautiful, complex, and full of possibility than you originally imagined.

Who on your team needs a “longer exposure” from you this week?