Leadership can be lonely, but we don’t have to walk this journey alone.
I walk alongside clients as a coach and consultant and am constantly amazed at the bravery, openness, and creativity it takes to lead well. I'm inspired when leaders tackle their biggest challenges, such as:
- How do I work toward being an anti-racist leader?
- Is this a good time to solidify or update our mission, vision, and values?
- How do I develop as a leader, and how do I develop leaders around me?
- My perfectionism paralyzes me; what now?
- What is white supremacy, and how does it impact me?
- Why is being on my growth edge is so uncomfortable and lonely?
As we walk this leadership and learning journey, energized by the curiosity, vulnerability, and bravery of leaders and teams, we accomplish work together that we could never do alone.
Leadership is not about manipulating widgets; leadership is deeply human work.
Leadership & Learning Letters is a space for us to grapple, share hard things, embrace our growth edges, and celebrate our accomplishments to brave the challenges on our leadership journey.
The format of the Leadership & Learning Letters will include
- engaging on a topic relevant to leaders and teams
- considering a scenario or two that elevate the importance of this topic, and
- call to action, including continued learning, reflection, and application
- looping back to share missteps and celebrations is always encouraged
Leadership and learning topics that show up in my consulting practice are relevant to teams and leaders . This space will extend that circle to include you as well. The topics we discuss will range from traditional leadership pedagogy and practice topics such as adaptive leadership, team development, and the art of listening. I’ve come to learn that none of these will bear fruit without a focus on power dynamics, dismantling white supremacy, and aspiring to lead with a racial equity frame and practices.
Fellow leaders, pull up a chair and grab the beverage of your choice. Let’s create a learning community together, here, across the miles, learning, and leading.
You are welcome here. You belong here. Conversation likely won't be comfortable, but together we transform. Join me in speaking up, speaking out, and engaging in the community.
How are you finding community lately? How are you listening and learning? I would love to hear about it.
Fellow leaders and learners, I wish you courage and resilience for the journey.
Peace to you,
What I’m Reading
Regarding Leadership & Learning:
- If You’re Not Outside Your Comfort Zone, You Won’t Learn Anything By Andy Molinsky at Harvard Business Review
- Do We Need Safe or Brave Spaces? by Break Away
- Could A Little Vulnerability Be The Key To Better Leadership? By Carley Sime at Forbes.com
Questions for Consideration
Regarding Leadership & Learning:
- How do you react when you are outside of your comfort zone? What is that like for others around you?
- Reflect upon a time when you were supported and challenged. What did it take to create that experience? How can you recreate that?
- How conscious are you of your vulnerability as a leader? Where does it show up, with whom? How has this uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure impacted the culture and creativity of teams you've led or participated in?
Upcoming
Leadership & Learning Topics:
- Silencing Your Inner Hater
- Perfectionism Pressure: It Is Killing Your Soul
- Journey not a destination: embracing learning and growth