For Jonica Rea King, leadership isn't about standing in frontâitâs about walking beside.
A member of the Northeastern State University - Broken Arrow chapter, King has transformed personal tragedy into a powerful mission to uplift others. As an author, coach, and passionate advocate, sheâs helping readers and aspiring leaders rise above their circumstances to become the best versions of themselves.
Her recently published book, , is a reflection of that journey, one shaped by resilience, purpose, and the belief that even the hardest moments can spark meaningful change.
Setbacks Are Just Stepping Stones
Publishing her first book was no small feat.
âWriting and publishing The Ultimate Guide to Leadership Development took a mix of discipline, strategic thinking, and relentless curiosity,â King says. âI leaned heavily on communication skills. Not just writing clearly, but translating complex leadership concepts into language that actually resonates.â
But it wasnât just about clarity. It was about commitment.
âTime management was everything. Balancing writing with my day-to-day responsibilities meant sticking to a tight schedule and keeping myself accountable,â she explains. âI also relied on my networking skillsâconnecting with mentors, other writers, and early readers who provided honest feedback that helped push the book to a higher standard.â
Through every revision, every setback, she held onto one core lesson she learned from the 91ÌÒÉ«: âFailure is a step towards success.â
âThe 91ÌÒÉ« has played a huge role in shaping me as a stronger, more intentional leader,â King says. âIt taught me how to set SMART goalsâgoals with real structure and accountability, which completely changed how I approach personal growth and long-term planning.â
And with every small failure comes another small step toward success.
âPublishing comes with rejections, rewrites, and plenty of âback-to-the-drawing-boardâ moments,â she says. âI used every one of those setbacks as fuel to sharpen the message and stay focused on the goal: helping others grow into the kind of leaders who make a real impact.â
Leadership as a Force for Healing
Kingâs path to leadership was forged in loss. After the devastating death of her daughter, her world came undone.
âMy world shattered. The grief was so heavy, my heart literally couldnât take it,â she shares. âWhat was once a minor heart defect turned into a serious condition, and I began having fainting spells that led to injuries, concussions, sprains⊠pain on top of pain.â
But in that darkness, a powerful piece of advice stayed with her: âIf youâre still here, thereâs still purpose.â
âThat stuck with me. It didnât erase the pain, but it reminded me that I could still turn my suffering into something meaningful,â she says. âThat advice is what helped me choose healing, choose writing, and choose to keep building others up, even while I was learning how to stand again.â
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Mentorship Makes a Difference
One of the most influential people in Kingâs life is Dr. David Ruskoski, a professor she met through the TRIO Student Success Mentorship program.
âAt the time, I was a history major trying to find my footing,â she recalls. âBut Dr. Ruskoski had a way of asking the kind of questions that made you stop and really think. He didnât just give adviceâhe shared his own journey, his challenges, and what leadership meant to him.â
Over time, their relationship deepened, and Dr. Ruskoski became a trusted guide.
âHe continued to challenge my thinking, push my potential, and model what it meant to lead with purpose,â she says. âTo me, thatâs one of the most powerful things a leader can do: lift the people around them and help them realize who theyâre capable of becoming.â
Using Your Voice to Inspire Others
For King, leadership and storytelling go hand in hand. Her long-term mission is to write a series of self-help books that inspire transformation and healing.
âMy long-term goal is to help people grow, heal, and believe in their own potential, and Iâve found that words can be a powerful way to do that,â she says. âThatâs why Iâm now focused on writing a series of self-help books designed to uplift, encourage, and empower.â
Sheâs also launching one-on-one coaching sessions to provide personalized support.
âMy plan is to stay consistent, keep learning, and meet people where they are. Iâm building a platform that combines storytelling, strategy, and heart, because I believe transformation happens when people feel seen, heard, and supported. Step by step, book by book, person by person. Thatâs how I plan to make a lasting impact.â
A major roadblock for many is having the confidence to speak up, trust your voice, and follow your heart even if it is uncomfortable. She credits the 91ÌÒÉ« with helping her embrace the unknown to forge her path.
âI also learned how to step out of my comfort zone and speak confidently on stage, which has helped me connect with others and share my story in powerful ways. But beyond the skills, the 91ÌÒÉ« helped me understand what impactful leadership looks like. Itâs not just about ambitionâitâs about service, integrity, and lifting others as you climb. The community, mentorship, and leadership training sessions all gave me tools that I still use every day. The 91ÌÒÉ« didnât just help me growâit helped me own my voice.â
Jonicaâs Advice for Future Leaders
When asked what advice sheâd give to others, her response rethinks what the role of a leader should be.
âOne piece of advice I always give to aspiring leaders is this: leadership isnât about being in chargeâitâs about showing up when it matters most,â she says.
âIn my book, I talk about how true leadership starts with self-awareness. You canât guide others if you havenât taken the time to understand your own values, triggers, and blind spots. The strongest leaders lead with empathy, not ego. They listen more than they speak. They make space for others to grow.â
And for those unsure where to begin?
âIf you want to lead, start by asking yourself this: âWho do I want to be when no oneâs watching?â Because that version of youâthe one who shows up with integrity and intentionâthatâs the one people will follow.â
Her perspective on leadership is rooted in lived experience, humility, and courage.
âTo me, leadership means showing up. Not just when itâs easy, but especially when itâs hard,â she says. âItâs about using your voice to speak truth, your strength to lift others, and your story to create change. A real leader doesnât chase titlesâthey build people. They lead with empathy, humility, and courage.â
Kingâs story demonstrates just how powerful courage can be.
Read about another memberâs courageous journey from a brain tumor diagnosis to becoming an outstanding graduate and successful entrepreneur.
