Leading With Faith and Responsibility: A Leadership Journey That Redefines Success

A Conversation That Makes You Think

Some conversations leave you thinking, and that is exactly what happened during my recent S.O. What! Success Stories conversation with Mickell Lowery.

Yes, he has the titles. Yes, he has built a strong and credible career across corporate America and public service. But what stood out to me most was not his résumé. It was how he thinks, how he carries responsibility, and how he chooses to show up.

Ownership Changes Everything

As I listened to him share his journey, I kept coming back to one word: ownership. Mickell’s leadership did not begin in boardrooms or in public office. It started much earlier, growing up in a single-parent household right here in Memphis, where responsibility was not something you could avoid or delay. It was necessary.

That kind of foundation shapes you. It teaches you that excuses will not move your life forward, and waiting for someone else to fix things will only keep you stuck.

What really resonated with me is how he approaches challenges. He does not stay in the question of why something is happening to him. He shifts it. He asks what it is building in him.

That mindset changes everything because it puts you back in a position of power. It aligns so naturally with the S.O. What! formula I live by: overcome obstacles, eliminate excuses, calculate choices, and move forward with intention.

Responsibility is not something to run from. It is where your power begins.

Strength That Serves Others

There was also a moment in our conversation that brought a different kind of depth. When Mickell spoke about raising his daughter with autism, I could hear both strength and tenderness in his voice.

That balance stood out to me.

His leadership is not rooted in recognition or applause. It is rooted in service. He measures success by the impact he has on others and by how he helps people around him grow.

That is what real leadership looks like. It is not about being seen. It is about being useful. It is not about ego. It is about responsibility.

It reminded me of something I say often. Leadership is not about position. It is about posture. And his posture is grounded in humility, faith, and a deep commitment to serve.

Resilience Is Built Quietly

What I also appreciate is how his journey reflects a truth I have seen over and over again in my own life and in the lives of the people I work with.

Resilience is not always loud. It does not always look like big moments or public wins. Sometimes it looks like consistency. Sometimes it is showing up when you are tired. Sometimes it is choosing faith when fear feels louder.

The strength people see on the outside is almost always built quietly, behind the scenes.

That is why this conversation mattered to me. It reinforced the message I carry into every room. Your circumstances do not disqualify you. They do not get the final say. Your choices do.

What Is Your Leadership Asking of You?

As I reflect on this conversation, I find myself asking the same questions I want you to consider.

What is your leadership journey teaching you right now?
What obstacle in your life is actually preparing you for something greater?
What responsibility might you be avoiding that could open the door to your next level?

Leadership does not happen by accident. It is built, choice by choice, mindset by mindset, day by day. And it always begins with ownership.

If this speaks to you, I invite you to watch Mickell Lowery’s full interview and take a moment to reflect on your own journey. Share it with someone who may need that same reminder.

Because at the end of the day, leadership is not about where you sit. It is about how you serve. And that is what S.O. What! is all about.

Watch Mickell’s interview here.👈🏽

Remember, new S.O. What! Success Stories are added every week! Subscribe to my YouTube channel so you never miss an episode filled with motivation, resilience, and real-life success strategies.

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S.O. What! Success Stories with Summer Owens is a series of casual conversations with overcomers about real life and resilience. Guests share their stories including some of the challenges they faced on their journeys to success. In each conversation, Summer breaks down the S.O. What! Success System and how implementing each of the elements leads to success in the face of even the greatest adversity.

THE S.O. WHAT! SUCCESS SYSTEM

Overcome Obstacles + Eliminate Excuses + Calculate Choices = S.O. What! Success

Learn more about Summer and how she helps individuals and organizations achieve S.O. What! Success.