New York, USA, Aug 07, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Procurement professional and leadership advocate Omar Messado has announced the release of a free Leadership Self-Audit Checklist, a practical resource that helps people assess how they communicate, solve problems, build trust, and support others at work. The guide is designed for anyone looking to become a stronger leader, regardless of job title or industry.

After decades leading procurement teams and complex infrastructure projects for organizations including Metro-North Railroad, Kawasaki Rail Car and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Messado believes leadership begins with self-awareness rather than authority.

“Success is not just about career growth,” said Messado. “It is about the many people you have impacted positively and how they continue to grow because you helped, supported, guided or educated them.”

The checklist encourages users to reflect on everyday behaviours that influence long-term success, including communication, planning, accountability, mentorship, and decision-making.

According to Gallup, only 23% of employees strongly agree that their leaders communicate effectively, while employees who feel recognized are 45% less likely to leave their jobs, according to research from Gallup and Workhuman. Meanwhile, LinkedIn’s Workplace Learning Report found that 94% of employees say they would stay longer at a company that invests in their development, and Gallup estimates that low employee engagement costs the global economy approximately US$8.9 trillion each year, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of ineffective leadership.

Messado says improving leadership starts with simple daily habits.

“Be a leader that is open to learning from others, especially those you supervise,” he said. “Give credit and recognition to those who deserve it.”

The resource also reflects one of the most important lessons Messado learned from his longtime mentor, Gennaro “Gene” Sansone.

“Say what you mean and mean what you say,” Messado said. “Integrity builds trust, and trust creates stronger teams.”

Throughout his career, Messado has been known for solving difficult procurement challenges through collaboration rather than conflict. One example came while managing a complex contract at Kawasaki Rail Car. Instead of pursuing an expensive contractual payment, he proposed an alternative solution that provided valuable deliverables to the client while allowing both organizations to reach a fair agreement.

“There is always a way to resolve things,” he said. “It does not need to be dramatic nor destructive.”

Use This in 15 Minutes

The Leadership Self-Audit Checklist can be completed in approximately 15 minutes by:

• Rating yourself across ten leadership behaviours.

• Identifying your three strongest leadership habits.

• Highlighting three areas that need improvement.

• Choosing one practical action to complete this week.

• Reviewing your progress again after 30 days.

Common Mistakes People Make

The checklist also helps people avoid common leadership mistakes, including:

• Assuming leadership only applies to managers.

• Focusing on personal achievements instead of team success.

• Avoiding difficult conversations rather than resolving them.

• Failing to recognise the contributions of others.

• Treating mistakes as failures instead of learning opportunities.

• Setting goals without reviewing or adjusting them over time.

Messado believes leadership is a skill that anyone can strengthen through consistent effort and honest reflection. Leadership is not about controlling people, it is about serving and protecting them.

“My success is when you see the accomplishment of others based on your input, guidance and support,” he said. “Your success is measured by the accomplishments of your team.”

How to Get Started Today

Download or recreate the Leadership Self-Audit Checklist, set aside 15 uninterrupted minutes, answer each question honestly, and identify one behaviour you can improve this week. Revisit the checklist every month to measure your progress, celebrate small wins, and continue building habits that strengthen your leadership, relationships, and long-term career growth.

To read more, visit the website here.

About Omar Messado

Omar Messado is a procurement professional with extensive experience in strategic sourcing, contract management, transportation, construction, infrastructure, and organizational leadership. Throughout his career with Metro-North Railroad, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, he has led complex procurement initiatives while mentoring teams and promoting integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Born in Jamaica, West Indies and raised in New York, he is a strong advocate for leadership development, personal accountability, and helping others achieve lasting success.