Leadership isn’t reserved for CEOs, politicians, or people with fancy job titles. It lives in the quiet choices we make every day, especially when no one’s watching. Rational-Ethical Leadership (REL) is built on the belief that anyone, anywhere, can lead. Whether you’re raising children, caring for elders, navigating a new country, or holding your family together on a tight budget, you are leading. The question is: how?

REL gives you a compass. It helps you lead with clarity, courage, and compassion, even when the world tells you you’re powerless.

Let’s meet someone who shows us what that looks like.

REL in REAL Life: A Story from Manila

Jomar is a 19-year-old living in a crowded apartment in Manila, Philippines. He’s the eldest of five siblings. His parents both work long hours; his mother as a street vendor and his father as a construction worker. With little money and no formal leadership role, Jomar could have easily faded into the background. But when his youngest brother, Paolo, started skipping school and hanging out with older boys in the neighborhood, Jomar knew he had to step up. He didn’t have authority. But he had influence and he had a choice: to ignore it, or to lead.

Jomar’s Thought Process

1. Think Long-Term

Jomar asked himself: What kind of future do I want for Paolo, and for our family?

He realized that if Paolo dropped out now, it would be harder for him to find work later. Their family was already struggling. They couldn’t afford another setback. Jomar wanted his brother to have more options than he did.

2. Act with Integrity

He thought: What’s the right thing to do, even if it’s uncomfortable?

He could’ve scolded Paolo or told their parents to handle it. But instead, he invited Paolo to join him on his early morning recycling runs. They talked. Jomar shared his own regrets, how he wished he’d studied harder, how he wanted more for both of them. He didn’t lecture. He connected.

3. Resist Emotional Impulsivity

Jomar was angry at first. He felt betrayed; he’d sacrificed so much, and now Paolo was throwing away his chance. But he paused. If I act from anger, will it help, or just push him further away? He chose patience. He gave Paolo space to talk. And when Paolo finally admitted he felt stupid in class and didn’t want to be laughed at, Jomar didn’t shame him. He offered to help him study.

The Outcome

Paolo went back to school. Slowly. Quietly. But he went. And Jomar? He didn’t get a medal. He didn’t get a title. But he became a leader in the truest sense.

That’s the REL Way.

Try It Today

Ask yourself:

Where in my life am I already leading, and how can I lead with more clarity, integrity, and compassion?

You don’t need permission to lead. You just need a moment to reflect, and the courage to act.

Explore more tools like this in the REL Way guidebook series; available now on Amazon.