You are meant to lead.

During my time at Chipotle we built an extraordinary culture of empowered people, and it led to growth nobody thought possible. I would never claim I did that myself. I was part of an amazing team. But I did set the course and steer the ship.

I learned to steer through a lifetime of asking questions, connecting to people and paying attention. Also through running on trails, playing poker and mopping floors. When I tell the story of what happened at Chipotle I have to tell a much wider story about what happened to me. I wrestled with insecurity, fear, pain and heartbreak. What made me effective as a leader was not my ability to brush those aside. It was my willingness to embrace them as an essential part of what made me human.

Twenty years as a trial lawyer and a leader taught me how to ask questions in a way that encourages people to open their hearts and minds. The lessons I teach are not taught in business school. Most of them run against what leaders everywhere are told to do. They came from my early life, my years in the courtroom and my time running a law firm, and I put them fully into practice at Chipotle.

Most importantly, this applies to you wherever you are in your life: a young adult, a parent, a successful business person, or someone who feels a bit lost. It is about waking up to the life you have, empowering the people around you and becoming a better person in whatever ways are available to you. No matter who you are, I want you to feel seen. Because you are meant to lead and make an impact.