In The Lion King, a young Simba looks out over the vast savanna as his father, King Mufasa, tells him,

“Everything the light touches is our kingdom.”

It’s a beautiful moment, not about power, nor braggadocio. But stewardship.

In these simple words, the father isn’t teaching Simba how to rule; he’s sharing the gift of responsibility, how to care for those within your charge, how to lead them toward the light.

Leading, he implies, means understanding that what you oversee is not yours to own.

It is yours to protect, to nurture, and eventually pass on to the next generation.

Every leader reaches that moment when they realize that leading others is not about control but valiant responsibility. It might happen the first time you inherit a struggling team, step into a leadership role after a respected predecessor, or take on a project that affects people’s livelihoods.

The horizon widens, and so does the weight of what you carry.

This Week’s Lesson: The Weight of the Crown

Yet, after tragedy strikes, Simba runs. He hides….from the weight of expectations, and the pressure of assuming a role he doesn’t think he is ready to fill.

As leaders there are times when we too have run from responsibility like an uncertain king.

We often avoid the parts of leadership that feel heavy or uncertain. We postpone hard conversations about performance or culture.

We put off the decision we know will be unpopular. We focus on short-term wins instead of long-term restoration. It feels easier to keep moving forward than to face what went wrong.

But true leadership begins when we stop running.

No, Simba did not become a leader when he defeated Scar. He became one when he turned around and went home. He chose to face what was broken and take responsibility for what had been lost.

The Call to Return

Each of us has something calling us to return. Maybe it’s a project that’s lost steam, a relationship that requires a second conversation, or a vision that’s faded under pressure.

You can probably name it right now, write it down.

Then picture what “going back” really looks like. Maybe it means apologizing for how something ended. Maybe it’s revisiting a plan that fell short. Maybe it’s re-engaging with a team that feels forgotten. Maybe it means making a hard decision.

Mufasa once told Simba that the great kings of the past watch from the stars. He was reminding him that this work we do isn’t isolated.

Every choice we make fits into a larger story.

And the progress we restore today becomes the foundation others will build on tomorrow.

Three Ways to Step Back Into the Circle This Week

1. Go Back to What Matters. Every leader has something they’ve put off, a conversation, a project, a responsibility they once owned with passion but slowly drifted from. It’s easy to justify the delay with busyness or distraction, but unfinished work quietly drains energy and focus. This week, identify one thing that has been waiting for your return. Schedule time to revisit it with a renewed sense of purpose. When you step back into what truly matters, you don’t just restore progress, you restore trust, both in yourself and in those who are counting on you.

2. Remember Your Purpose. In moments of pressure, it’s easy to lose sight of the reason we started in the first place. The to-do list grows, the noise gets louder, and we begin reacting instead of leading. Before your next decision, meeting, or message, pause for a moment of clarity. Ask yourself, Why does this matter? What outcome am I truly trying to create? That small recalibration can change everything, how you speak, how you prioritize, and how you show up. Purpose is the anchor that steadies a leader in both calm and chaos.

3. Restore Someone’s Belief. When Simba returned to Pride Rock, others found their courage again. That’s how influence works. Your confidence has the power to ignite belief in others, especially those who’ve lost sight of their own potential. Think of one person who has been quieter lately, someone who seems to be pulling back. Reach out, not with flattery but with truth. Tell them what you see in them, the skill, the integrity, the spark that still matters. Often, the smallest word of belief can rekindle someone’s entire sense of purpose.

The Wrap

Titles, crowns, and authority may give position, but it’s the decision to face the neglected, the difficult, the broken, that gives influence. When we return to higher ground, we don’t just rebuild projects or teams; we rebuild credibility and restore hope.

Leading well means showing up and caring more about the people in your charge than the comfort of your role.

Simba’s return brought life back to a barren kingdom.

The moment he stopped running was the moment he became worthy of the crown. Your return can do the same. When a leader reengages with clarity and conviction, the effects ripple outward, motivation lifts, belief spreads……

And the light returns to places that have gone dark.

Your Turn: This week, think about the area of your work or life that’s been waiting for your return. Where have you pulled back, stayed silent, or chosen comfort over calling? It might be a project that needs direction, a person who needs your presence, or a decision that needs courage. When that moment comes, ask yourself: What needs to be restored that only I have the ability to bring back into the light?