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Friday, November 14, 2025

A free newsletter with the marketing ideas you need

The best marketing ideas come from marketers who live it.

That’s what this newsletter delivers.

The Marketing Millennials is a look inside what’s working right now for other marketers. No theory. No fluff. Just real insights and ideas you can actually use—from marketers who’ve been there, done that, and are sharing the playbook.

Every newsletter is written by Daniel Murray, a marketer obsessed with what goes into great marketing. Expect fresh takes, hot topics, and the kind of stuff you’ll want to steal for your next campaign.

Because marketing shouldn’t feel like guesswork. And you shouldn’t have to dig for the good stuff.

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True leadership isn’t about position — it’s about influence with integrity. Justin Wright’s quote, “Be the type of leader who leaves a mark, not a scar,” captures this truth with remarkable clarity.

To leave a mark means to inspire, to help others grow, and to make a lasting positive impression that shapes someone’s confidence or character. These are the fingerprints of leaders who lead with empathy, humility, and purpose. Their words uplift, their feedback guides, and their example teaches long after they’re gone.

To leave a scar, however, is to lead with ego, control, or fear. Scars form when leadership wounds instead of heals — when criticism crushes instead of corrects, when decisions are made for pride instead of progress. Scarred leadership leaves people doubting themselves rather than discovering their potential.

The essence of this quote is a call to awareness. Every leader, mentor, or parent leaves something behind in the hearts of those they guide — the question is what kind of imprint it will be. True leaders understand that leadership isn’t about demanding respect; it’s about earning it through care, consistency, and compassion.

Before giving feedback, ask yourself:

• Will my words build this person up or break them down?

• Will my tone inspire trust or resentment?

• When people walk away from my leadership, will they feel developed or diminished?

To lead effectively means to steward both results and relationships. It’s not about being remembered as the loudest in the room but as the one who brought out the best in others.

Leadership that leaves a mark builds cultures of confidence, connection, and purpose. Leadership that leaves a scar breeds fear, silence, and disengagement. The difference lies in how much heart you bring to the role.

Context of Origin

The quote comes from Justin Wright, a modern leadership coach and speaker known for his focus on servant leadership and emotional intelligence. His teachings align with thought leaders like Simon Sinek and Brené Brown, who emphasize the importance of empathy and vulnerability in leadership.

Wright’s message serves as a modern-day reminder that true leadership has less to do with authority and more to do with humanity. His words resonate across workplaces, families, and communities — anywhere leadership has the power to shape lives.

🌟 Resource List: Leadership That Leaves a Mark

Books on Compassionate and Lasting Leadership

• “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek
  How empathy and trust create stronger teams.
   Key takeaway: Leadership is service, not status.

• “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown
  Courage, vulnerability, and authenticity in leadership.
   Key takeaway: Leading with heart takes bravery.

• “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek
  Inspire action through purpose.
   Key takeaway: Purpose drives passion.

• “The Servant” by James C. Hunter
  A story about leadership through humility and service.
   Key takeaway: Power comes from serving others first.

• “Legacy” by James Kerr
  Lessons from the New Zealand All Blacks on culture and leadership.
   Key takeaway: Leave things better than you found them.
  

Articles & Essays

• “What It Means to Be a Human-Centered Leader” – Harvard Business Review
  Leadership that puts people first leads to long-term success.
   Read on: hbr.org

• “Empathy: The Most Undervalued Leadership Skill” – Forbes
  Why compassion is a competitive advantage.
   Read on: forbes.com

• “The Difference Between Managers and Leaders” – Warren Bennis (HBR)
  Classic insight on leadership through inspiration rather than control.

Talks & Videos

• 🎥 Simon Sinek – “Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe” (TED Talk)
  A masterclass in building trust and psychological safety.
   Watch on: TED.com

• 🎥 Brené Brown – “The Power of Vulnerability” (TED Talk)
  A moving perspective on connection and courage.
   Watch on: TED.com

• 🎥 Justin Wright – “Leadership That Heals, Not Hurts” (Keynote)
  Encourages leadership rooted in empathy and accountability.
   Search on YouTube: “Justin Wright leadership keynote”

Reflection & Action Tools

• 🧭 Leadership Legacy Worksheet
  Write three ways you’d like to be remembered as a leader. Compare that to your daily actions.

• 💬 Weekly Check-In Questions:

  • Did I listen more than I spoke?

  • Did I lift someone up today?

  • Did my feedback empower or discourage?

• 📖 Journal Prompt:
  “What can I do this week to leave a mark of growth, not a scar of criticism?”

Final Thought

Leadership is not about how loudly you speak — it’s about how deeply you’re felt.
Leave a mark that builds, not a scar that bleeds. When you lead with empathy and integrity, your legacy won’t just be remembered — it will live on in the lives you’ve touched.

A free newsletter with the marketing ideas you need

The best marketing ideas come from marketers who live it. That’s what The Marketing Millennials delivers: real insights, fresh takes, and no fluff. Written by Daniel Murray, a marketer who knows what works, this newsletter cuts through the noise so you can stop guessing and start winning. Subscribe and level up your marketing game.

Sign Up Free