The Greatest Leaders Lead by Action

Great leaders don’t just direct—they act. They lead from the front, set the tone, and create environments where others can grow. Leadership isn’t about grand speeches or wielding authority; it’s about showing up, making the tough decisions, and inspiring others through action.

Recently, I received feedback from one of my former employees, Abhinav Uppaladhadium, which truly reinforced my belief in what leadership means. His words reflected the kind of leader I strive to be—one who trusts, supports, and empowers others to take ownership of their work.

"Kristel Kongas isn’t just a great marketing leader, she’s an incredible mentor. At Vendisys, she gave me the freedom to own my email marketing strategies for our B2B SaaS products (Scrubby, Golden Leads, Inboxy, and more) while always having my back. She trusted my ideas, encouraged me to experiment, and created an environment where I could genuinely grow.

One of the things I respect most about Kristel is how she handles challenges. If something went wrong, she never played the blame game. Instead, she’d calmly work through the situation, focusing on solutions rather than problems. “It’s a learning experience for both of us,” she’d say—and she meant it. That kind of leadership is rare, and it makes all the difference.

Beyond her mentorship, Kristel is a brilliant marketer with deep expertise and a strategic mindset. She’s professional, knowledgeable, and someone you want in your corner. Put simply, Kristel was one of THE best bosses I’ve ever had."

Read the original endorsement from here.

Abhinav's words reinforced what I have always believed in—leadership is about action, trust, and resilience. But this is not a belief unique only to me. The greatest leaders in history have all shared this philosophy. Leadership by action is not only managing people; it's inspiring movements, and transforming the world around you through action.

A Lesson from a Former Leader of Mine

One of my previous leaders, Karol Kovanen, the CEO of EuroPark Estonia, once told me:

“Kristel, you are very good at what you are doing. You want everyone to be happy and content. But it might still end up with one person being unhappy—you. Bear in mind that there is never a solution that suits everyone the same way. If you can live with that and accept that you cannot keep everyone happy, then all will be fine.”

This was one of the most impactful leadership lessons I’ve ever received, and I have carried that wisdom with me ever since—both in my personal life and at work. Leadership is not about making everyone happy; it’s about making the right decisions, even when they are difficult.

Leading by Action is the Only True Leadership

From my own experiences with leadership—both as a leader myself and as someone who has learned from remarkable mentors—I have realized one truth: leaders who act are the ones who inspire real change.

Leadership isn’t about directing from a distance; it’s about stepping up, making difficult decisions, and leading the way. Whether in business, politics, or personal development, the most impactful leaders don’t just talk about solutions—they create them.

The best leaders, past and present, prove that true leadership is about stepping forward, even when the path is uncertain. And that is the kind of leadership I strive to embody every day.

Some of my biggest role models:

Richard Branson Michelle Obama Steve Jobs Vishen Lakhiani Lennart Meri Gunnar Aarma