PROFILES IN
LEADERSHIP JOURNAL
2025
AWARD
EMERGING
LEADERS
Daniel Powers
Department Manager, Joint Use Services
Confidence through preparation is the key to success as a leader Many strong leaders begin their journey feeling unsure of themselves. Early in my career I often found myself doubting whether I truly belonged in a leadership role. I worried that others could sense my uncertainty, and I questioned whether confidence was something I simply lacked. It took time for me to realize that feeling unsure didn’t mean I wasn’t capable, it just meant I was learning. As I gained experience and started relying more on what I knew, things slowly got easier. Effective leadership doesn’t start with being the most confident person in the room. What truly matters is preparation, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. If you’re an emerging leader who struggles with confidence, remember that confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t have. It’s something you build, slowly and steadily, by knowing your work and showing up prepared. One of the biggest advantages you already have is your technical experience. When you understand the work your team does, how things operate, where challenges come from, and what good work looks like, you’re already ahead. That knowledge gives you something solid to lean on, especially during moments when you don’t feel naturally bold or self-assured. You don’t have to fake confidence when you can rely on what you know. Over time, using your experience to guide decisions, solve problems, and support your team helps you develop genuine confidence. It’s confidence that comes from doing the work, not pretending to feel a certain way. Good leaders aren’t defined by charisma. They’re defined by understanding. People trust leaders who know the details, who ask thoughtful questions, and who care enough to fully grasp the work they oversee. When your team sees that you understand their challenges and can speak their language, they’re more likely to trust your direction and respect your decisions. If you’re still finding your footing as a leader, remember this: You don’t have to transform yourself into someone louder or more outgoing to succeed. Focus instead on learning, preparing, and staying close to the work. Confidence will follow. With each new experience, each conversation, each problem solved, and each small step forward, you’re building the kind of grounded confidence that lasts. Leadership isn’t about being fearless. It’s about being committed, knowledgeable, and willing to grow right alongside your team.
Education: BS, Geology, University of Akron Company Name: Orbital Engineering, Inc. Industry: Engineering Design Services Company CEO: Robert Lewis Company Headquarters Location: Pittsburgh, PA Number of Employees: 650 Your Location: Bryan, TX Words you live by: “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” Who is your personal hero? My parents are my heroes for imparting a strong work ethic in me and through their unconditional support, granting me the freedom to determine my own path in life. What book(s) are you reading? Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. What was your first job? Working for my father’s family-owned and operated carpet cleaning business. Favorite charity: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Interests/Hobbies: I enjoy playing and watching sports, especially following all Cleveland professional teams and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Family: My wife Emily, my son Grayer, and my daughter Sophia.
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