Safe Spaces in the Leadership Mirror with J Haleem ·     There are few spaces in our life where we are encouraged to be vulnerable, to speak clearly and authentically, without negative pushback ·        It is tough to be vulnerable but it is transformative when we choose this path. ·        People are looking for a judgement free zone ·        As we choose vulnerability as leaders, others are ready to follow ·        Leaders must break down the barriers of vulnerability for themselves...

The big deal about inner circles: Question One: What’s the big deal about inner circles? Potential characteristics when a leader doesn’t have that inner circle: Loneliness, feeling isolated and discouragedA sense of carrying the bulk of the load in decision making Increasing cynicism Becoming more distrustful and unable to clearly identify a safe space for deep dialogue Inner circles are made up of those whose character and dreams bring value to others rather than seeking to take from the...

Mentoring young women in leadership with Mercy Achola (Part II) Key thoughts for young women in leadership:  Prioritize: know what is important at what time in your life    Understand the seasons of your life and live true to thatBe ready to shift, to reinvent yourself, as opportunities come Wisdom of five African proverbs for all leaders: Haraka, haraka haina baraka:  there is no blessing when we hurry Haba na haba hujaza kibaba: drop by drop the bucket fills Mvumilivu hula bivu: patience...

A journey in self-awareness with Mercy Achola moving from unconscious to conscious self-awareness Part I A path towards conscious self-awareness: beginning with a “going withina cycle that only showed up in times of crisiswith growth, but without a deeper purpose determineda desire to reproduce beyond times of crisisthe recognition of the value of a coach learning that there is a process to increasing self awarenessNOW, with readiness to share journey with others Soft skills are essential...

Minimalism provides a new level of clarity The value of minimalism in leadership The focus of minimalism is not on “to own or not to own” but rather to gain clarity in removing distractions that continually impact the way you spend your days. Being a minimalist doesn’t just happen. You must have a level of intentionality in order for minimalism to impact the way to spend your days; the way you lead your life.  Becoming more minimalistic allows a person to create a space where a space did...

Steps to becoming a culture carrier There is a standard belief that it takes 2-3 years to change a culture.  Do we have this kind of time when the cultures that are being sought are so relevant to the needs identified for today? Defining culture carriers:    A culture carrier is someone who has taken the time to have more than a surface knowledge of the company.  A culture carrier can hold a conversation about what the company vision, mission and values mean to them personally. A culture...

Does it matter where a leader lives in order to thrive? Coach Teon Singletary states it doesn’t matter where you live in order to thrive. For his life, he has chosen to return to his home region to live and work. Three motivators that impacted Coach Teon’s choice to return home: 1.      Supporting his family 2.      Acknowledging his desire to be a difference maker, a change agent, a culture shifter 3.      Finding his truth, his foundation Key choices Coach Teon continues to make: 1.      A...

Leaders are learners There is more than meets the eye when seeking to add value to others In every profession, our values impact our decision making as leaders. The values you and I as leaders embrace create structure and meaning in our work. Putting your values first impacts your decision making in a way that enables you to gain a consistency in your leadership no matter the circumstance. How willing we are to understand others and what they value…. what matters to them.  Being a leader is...

Leaders Captivated by courage Personal insights into a leader’s 46 year journey of courage Deeper insights on courage from a successful leader with 46 years of experience: 1.      Stand up for yourself 2.      Summon your inner strength; who you are 3.      Recognize what is important to you 4.      Push through your fear; use positive self-talk 5.      Share from an “I” perspective and let your voice be heard 6.      Where the mind goes the body follows 7.      Do what you know you need to...

Adaptability is a key soft skill for virtual leaders Adaptability empowers a virtual leader to thrive within a rapid change environment Speaking broadly, adaptability in a leader is seen when learning new skills to change the course of their choices and their actions in response to circumstances that are in a rapid change pattern. The cycle looks like this: Rapid change → Recognized need for new skill development → Different choices are needed → Different actions must be pursued → the next...

The Art of Saying No Saying Yes is Always Easy But Not Always Wise https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/114376-the-art-of-leadership-is-saying-no-not-yes-it (“The art of leadership is saying no, not yes. It is very easy to say yes.” Tony Blair) Consider What happens when you always say yes. 1. It’s impossible to do everything well and saying yes to everything puts a leader at high risk for losing the focus and the stamina to accomplish their highest priorities. 2. When a leader always...

Black History Month can shift a leader’s perspective Intentional Soft Skill development in the celebration of Black History Month The month of February is Black History Month in the USA. This focused celebration of the achievements and history of African Americans is Also recognized in Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Germany. In the US, the idea that was birthed by historian and Harvard graduate Carter G. Woodson in 1915 was to strive for a balanced history,...

Millennials leading Millennials and making a difference In the https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/millennialsurvey.html (The Deloitte Global Millennial Survey 2020) we see that in 2016 76% of millennials saw business, in general, as a force for good. In December 2019, this number went down as 51% of millennials saw business, in general, as a force for good In May 2020, as the COVID-19 health pandemic spread around the world, only 41% of Millennials agreed that...

Character is the foundation to soft skill development The choices you make develop your character https://quotesthoughtsrandom.wordpress.com/2015/12/14/what-makes-the-man/ (Booker T. Washington) once said, ““Character, not circumstances, makes the man.” What is character? Do you have it? How do you know? The choices you make develop your character. With every choice you make, the construction of your character continues. I’d like to share with you a process that I consider when I am...

Thought-filled pauses increase the influence of leaders Thoughtful pauses are a first line strategy with soft skill development In 2018 I had the opportunity to hear Juliet Funt speak on her ideas about White Space. Juliet is the CEO of a company called White Space at Work and she refers to white space as a strategic pause taken between activities - like taking little sips of water. Juliet shares about the thieves of productivity and how, when we take the things we do well and move them to...

Soft skills by any other name.... are still as powerful! In the English language there are some misnomers that make you shake your head…. Words like: · gravy train – that have nothing to do with gravy or with trains but rather a source of easy money that has most likely not been worked for. · the red panda, a raccoon that is found from the Himalayas to China that has nothing to do with Pandas… · the fact that now there is no coat in...

Leadership lessons in 2020: Leadership lesson #1: FAITH: Time and energy spent in the application of faith based perspectives results in deeper insights and advanced hope. Uncovering timeless wisdom In difficult times takes us beyond our current leadership. Leadership lesson #2: FAMILY: Seeing others as brothers and sisters of the human race, even when there are strong differences and ideological oppositions advances our view as leaders. We move towards being a part of a bigger picture,...

Thriving in the ebb and flow of resignations at work A positive farewell work strategy. Three questions when an employee is leaving: First, how do we end it well from the perspective of the leader staying? Second, how do we end it well from the perspective of the one going? Third, how do we time the departure so that everyone is at the airport at the same time? Three steps to support the most positive experience possible with a farewell work strategy: Step one: have a plan to prepare...

Friends and family in business The nuances of working in the business with friends and family Four pairs of words that provide a balance to the nuances that exist when your work includes the close relationships of friends and family. I. Roles and Responsibilities II. Goals and Growth III. Trust and Travelling On IV. Communication and Commitment Six questions that support conversations for leaders who want to dig into deeper...

The Imposter Syndrome “We Become What We Do” Seth Godin The imposter syndrome identifies that there can be times where we struggle with being accurate, being authentic in acknowledging our own accomplishments, our own competence. With the imposter syndrome there can actually be an internal fear that we will be seen as deceiving others – as someone who doesn’t really have the skills and talents that we have been identified with. A person with impostor syndrome struggles with acknowledging...

The crucible of self- discipline The missing piece in soft skill development With the development of soft skills, we are not in a sprint, but rather a marathon. Four steps to get started in building those new pathways in self discipline: #1. Get really focused. #2. Figure out how you are going to measure small wins. #3. Establish the guidelines you plan to follow. #4. Pause to celebrate your successes. Self-discipline opens up windows of opportunity whether you are looking...

Optimizing the value of anger Strategic growth in the presence of emotions   Anger is a relevant topic for our world today. https://news.gallup.com/poll/312872/negative-emotions-surged-declined-june.aspx (2020 Gallup short term poll )   https://news.gallup.com/interactives/248240/global-emotions.aspx (Gallup: What's the World's Emotional Temperature?) “ANYBODY can become angry, that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the...

Add Value to your team with Peer to Peer Coaching No-one Left Behind Peer to Peer coaching ·        Applauds how coaching each other adds value to the team ·        Serves as a vehicle for moving a team upward ·        Acknowledges and celebrates the presence of different learning styles ·        Provides psychological safety ·        Meets short term needs ·        Focuses on a specific goal ·        Timely ·        Can be formal or informal ·        Supports relevance, even more in a...

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Assumptions As We Think, So We Lead Three things about making assumptions: #1: Assumptions can take our minds towards the negative without need or cause. #2” Assumptions can decrease our ability to relate well to others.  #3: Assumptions keep us all from moving forward. Consider using RED model of Critical Thinking (https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=y4oFCKRrMKI%3D&portalid=10) “Keep reminding yourself: I get what I think about, whether I...

ACTION STEPS FOR A "PROGRESS THINKER" As We Think, So We Lead A free gift for you: HEALTHY LEADERS CHECKLIST TO EVALUATE PROGRESS can be obtained from https://www.healthyleadership.online/pl/224884 (https://www.healthyleadership.online/pl/224884) As always, You can reach me at www.Healthyleadership.online. If you have been considering a leadership coach, reach out for a free call so that we can talk about how I can help you in your growth as a leader.