Does anyone else celebrate a birthday month instead of one day? Just me? That’s okay…I’m bringing all of you along with me to celebrate LeadershipVITAE’s anniversary month. I hope you’ve enjoyed the last few weeks as considered some of my most impactful leadership lessons over the last 10 years.
This week, I’m going into the archives and sharing a list of some of my favorite articles. Ones I hope will help you on your journey to leadership, whether it’s of self, others, or change.
1. 5 things I’ve learned during 20 years of uncertainty
The constant change in organizations has only accelerated in the age of disruption. There are classic learnings we can apply to help us and our people ahead of organizational change.
2. Five things to start and stop in leadership
If we’re fortunate, we’ve had wonderful leadership mentors and models. Even if we haven’t, we can improve limiting behaviors and lean into the kind of leader we wish we had.
3. 5 challenging experiences I wish for every leader
The leadership journey is rarely easy. And it shouldn’t be. If we want to be empathetic, people-centered leaders, then there are some challenging experiences that can help us get and remain there.
4. How to navigate the change leader’s journey
The hero’s journey is a well-known tale. Developing new skills, finding supportive mentors, and facing challenges are all on the path to affecting positive, lasting change.
5. Do you lead with your shades up or down?
At work, it may seem as though we should keep our thoughts and fears buttoned up and to ourselves. Yet it’s only by allowing ourselves to be seen that we can truly step into leadership.
6. Why your perceived weakness might actually be a strength
Our abilities and traits are rarely something we have or lack. Instead, we can realize they are on a spectrum and a so-called weakness might be appropriate for one situation and not another.
7. The surprising new tip to combat the inner critic
We all occasionally find ourselves with negative thoughts. If the thoughts are getting too loud and frequent, we can use a simple technique to root them out and challenge their hold on us.
8. How to find and integrate the spice of life into our priorities
Our lives are more than waking up, going to work, and paying bills. Integrating the meaningful into our lives – which are often already packed with demands – may mean finding ways to integrate our passions into our priorities.
9. Managing people frustrations – Find the AND
During conflict, we often find ourselves at a crossroads between two perspectives. As a leader, one of the best skills we can learn to bring disparate views together is “find the AND.”
10. Be your own best advocate, not a frenemy
The one person we can always rely on is ourselves. At least that should be true. Sometimes, we may inadvertently undermine our progress and success, turning from advocate to frenemy.
To the next decade
I am so proud to have written leadership content that is standing the test of time. The world is changing, and our awareness and perspectives with it. I am a life-long learner and every day there is a new insight to be had. Yet I believe true leadership never goes out of style.
No matter what we learn and how we grow, we will always have the opportunity to live and lead from a place that centers those in our charge. That celebrates inner knowing and using that knowledge to help others.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to the learnings ahead and the opportunity to share them with you.
