Rising Above the Storms: Lessons in Leadership from Mike Barkley

Do you know how to lead in a way that inspires others to rise above their challenges?
If you’ve been in business long enough—whether you’re an entrepreneur, a new manager, or a seasoned executive—you know leadership isn’t about barking orders from a corner office. It’s about guiding, growing, and inspiring people to become the best version of themselves.

That’s exactly the heart of Mike Barkley’s message. Born and raised in Atlanta, Mike’s journey took him from military service to corporate America, where he learned powerful lessons about perseverance, trust, and faith. His book, Above the Storms, is more than just a memoir—it’s a blueprint for building resilience and strong leadership skills in a rapidly changing world.

The Problem: Leadership Gaps Are Real (and Costly)

Mike points out a hard truth: many leaders “don’t know what they don’t know.” They make decisions with the best information available at the time, but too often stop there. They don’t actively seek to sharpen their leadership skills or adapt to the changing needs of their teams.

We now have five generations in the workforce—each with unique values, motivators, and communication styles. Add in the rapid changes from AI and other technologies, and you’ve got a leadership landscape that demands constant growth.

And here’s the kicker—companies that treat employees like numbers will always get the bare minimum. Without trust, relationship-building, and genuine care, leaders risk disengagement, turnover, and a toxic culture.

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The Solution: Find Your Voice, Lead with Purpose

For Mike, strong leadership starts with self-awareness. He encourages leaders to pause and reflect:

• Is the way I’m responding authentic to who I want to be?
• Am I making decisions based on my values or just copying what I’ve seen others do?

One of his go-to tools for finding clarity? Journaling. Writing thoughts down forces you to slow your mind, reflect honestly, and even uncover forgotten lessons from past experiences.

From there, it’s about connecting authentically with your team across all generations. That means:

• Taking the time to understand what motivates each person.
• Giving them opportunities to innovate.
• Practicing servant leadership—where you lead by example and show you’re willing to do the work alongside them.

And yes, allowing for respectful questioning. As Mike says, “You can say anything as long as you say it the right way.” Encouraging curiosity builds trust and keeps assumptions from getting in the way.

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The Takeaway: Leadership Is a Lifelong Commitment

Mike’s advice is simple but powerful: when you truly commit to something, the world will surround you with the answers you need. Leadership isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about being willing to keep learning, adapting, and growing, no matter where you are in your career.

Whether you’re leading a small business, managing a corporate team, or mentoring the next generation, the principles in Above the Storms can help you bridge leadership gaps and create a positive impact on everyone you lead.

You can find Mike’s book, Above the Storms, on Amazon (both paperback and digital). And keep an eye out for the upcoming workbook that takes his lessons even further with exercises you can apply to your own leadership journey.

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