Wannabes
Growing up, being called a “wannabe” was an insult. It meant you were pretending, faking it, trying to be someone you weren’t. It was a jab, a way to remind you that you weren’t enough.
But I’ve come to believe the best leaders are wannabes.
The best leaders are people who aspire to be like those they admire. They don’t pretend to know it all. They actively seek out the traits, habits, and philosophies of people doing it better. They aren’t copying; they’re growing. In leadership, health, and family life, the three pillars of my world, I’ve found people I deeply admire. They are the people I “wanna be” like, and they help me get better every single day.
Wannabe at Work
In my professional life, I want to be like Zulima Lopez, my direct supervisor. She is a master at setting strategic direction, but she does it with a rare combination of grit, grace, and compassion. She sees the whole board, not just the next move. She carries herself with dignity, holds others accountable with kindness, and brings people along with clarity and purpose.
Watching her work has taught me more than any leadership book ever could. The way she leads people, not just projects, is a model I study daily. I’m a better public servant, teammate, and leader because I "wanna be" like her.
Wannabe in Health
When it comes to personal health and mindset, I look to David Goggins.
Now, let’s be clear: Goggins is intense. His physical routines are on a whole different level. But it’s not the miles he runs or the pain he endures that I admire most, it’s the way he masters his mind.
His ability to overcome internal excuses, silence doubt, and push through limitations is a mindset I try to adopt in my own life. I don’t want to be David Goggins, but I do want to be like him in how I approach challenges, how I reset my standards, and how I show up when it’s hard.
Wannabe at Home
As a husband and father, I hope to live up to the standard set by my dad.
He wasn’t perfect, but he was present. No matter how tired he was after work, no matter what was going on in his world, he showed up. He coached teams, helped with homework, grilled burgers on weekends, and created a home where we felt safe and seen.
When I think about being a good dad, I think about how he made time even when he didn’t have it, and I wanna be like that.
Being a Wannabe Means Being a Learner
Here’s what I’ve learned: Most exceptional people are more than willing to help others. If you approach them with sincerity and humility, they’ll share. They’ll teach. They’ll cheer for you. Being a wannabe is just another way of saying you care enough to grow.
Want to Grow? Here’s How to Start:
Identify Your Aspirations: Choose people who reflect the kind of leader, parent, or person you want to be.
Reach Out with Respect: If they’re accessible, send a kind message. Ask a good question. Buy them coffee.
Observe with Intention: If they aren’t accessible, study their work. Watch how they move. Read what they’ve written.
Practice What You Admire: Emulate the traits, not the whole person. Stay true to you while borrowing the best from others.
Stay Humble, Stay Hungry: Growth doesn’t end. The best leaders are always learning.
“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” – Isaac Newton
