For Jonica Rea King, leadership isn't about standing in front鈥攊t鈥檚 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, she鈥檚 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.
Publishing her first book was no small feat.
鈥淲riting and publishing The Ultimate Guide to Leadership Development took a mix of discipline, strategic thinking, and relentless curiosity,鈥 King says. 鈥淚 leaned heavily on communication skills. Not just writing clearly, but translating complex leadership concepts into language that actually resonates.鈥
But it wasn鈥檛 just about clarity. It was about commitment.
鈥淭ime management was everything. Balancing writing with my day-to-day responsibilities meant sticking to a tight schedule and keeping myself accountable,鈥 she explains. 鈥淚 also relied on my networking skills鈥攃onnecting with mentors, other writers, and early readers who provided honest feedback that helped push the book to a higher standard.鈥
Through every revision, every setback, she held onto one core lesson she learned from the 91桃色: 鈥淔ailure is a step towards success.鈥
鈥淭he 91桃色 has played a huge role in shaping me as a stronger, more intentional leader,鈥 King says. 鈥淚t taught me how to set SMART goals鈥攇oals with real structure and accountability, which completely changed how I approach personal growth and long-term planning.鈥
And with every small failure comes another small step toward success.
鈥淧ublishing comes with rejections, rewrites, and plenty of 鈥榖ack-to-the-drawing-board鈥 moments,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 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.鈥
King鈥檚 path to leadership was forged in loss. After the devastating death of her daughter, her world came undone.
鈥淢y world shattered. The grief was so heavy, my heart literally couldn鈥檛 take it,鈥 she shares. 鈥淲hat was once a minor heart defect turned into a serious condition, and I began having fainting spells that led to injuries, concussions, sprains鈥 pain on top of pain.鈥
But in that darkness, a powerful piece of advice stayed with her: 鈥淚f you鈥檙e still here, there鈥檚 still purpose.鈥
鈥淭hat stuck with me. It didn鈥檛 erase the pain, but it reminded me that I could still turn my suffering into something meaningful,鈥 she says. 鈥淭hat 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.鈥
One of the most influential people in King鈥檚 life is Dr. David Ruskoski, a professor she met through the TRIO Student Success Mentorship program.
鈥淎t the time, I was a history major trying to find my footing,鈥 she recalls. 鈥淏ut Dr. Ruskoski had a way of asking the kind of questions that made you stop and really think. He didn鈥檛 just give advice鈥攈e shared his own journey, his challenges, and what leadership meant to him.鈥
Over time, their relationship deepened, and Dr. Ruskoski became a trusted guide.
鈥淗e continued to challenge my thinking, push my potential, and model what it meant to lead with purpose,鈥 she says. 鈥淭o me, that鈥檚 one of the most powerful things a leader can do: lift the people around them and help them realize who they鈥檙e capable of becoming.鈥
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.
鈥淢y long-term goal is to help people grow, heal, and believe in their own potential, and I鈥檝e found that words can be a powerful way to do that,鈥 she says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I鈥檓 now focused on writing a series of self-help books designed to uplift, encourage, and empower.鈥
She鈥檚 also launching one-on-one coaching sessions to provide personalized support.
鈥淢y plan is to stay consistent, keep learning, and meet people where they are. I鈥檓 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. That鈥檚 how I plan to make a lasting impact.鈥
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 91桃色 with helping her embrace the unknown to forge her path.
鈥淚 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 91桃色 helped me understand what impactful leadership looks like. It鈥檚 not just about ambition鈥攊t鈥檚 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 91桃色 didn鈥檛 just help me grow鈥攊t helped me own my voice.鈥
When asked what advice she鈥檇 give to others, her response rethinks what the role of a leader should be.
鈥淥ne piece of advice I always give to aspiring leaders is this: leadership isn鈥檛 about being in charge鈥攊t鈥檚 about showing up when it matters most,鈥 she says.
鈥淚n my book, I talk about how true leadership starts with self-awareness. You can鈥檛 guide others if you haven鈥檛 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.鈥
And for those unsure where to begin?
鈥淚f you want to lead, start by asking yourself this: 鈥榃ho do I want to be when no one鈥檚 watching?鈥 Because that version of you鈥攖he one who shows up with integrity and intention鈥攖hat鈥檚 the one people will follow.鈥
Her perspective on leadership is rooted in lived experience, humility, and courage.
鈥淭o me, leadership means showing up. Not just when it鈥檚 easy, but especially when it鈥檚 hard,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about using your voice to speak truth, your strength to lift others, and your story to create change. A real leader doesn鈥檛 chase titles鈥攖hey build people. They lead with empathy, humility, and courage.鈥
King鈥檚 story demonstrates just how powerful courage can be.
Read about another member鈥檚 courageous journey from a brain tumor diagnosis to becoming an outstanding graduate and successful entrepreneur.