Leadership Reflection

When you are good at a team sport, you might become team captain. After much trial and error, I learned things I want to share.

Learning new things, whether fun or professional, comes with stress. Here are some lessons that have helped me navigate new territory.

Resilience is an essential quality for leadership. What better way to nurture personal well-being than through a summer vacation!

As I ponder the essence of leadership, one word resonates deeply: values. The internal compass, the True North, that guides our actions.

I am fascinated with geese in their “Flying V” formation and how they manage to create such a flawless shape.

What transforms a group unfamiliar with each other into an inclusive, close-knit cohort that genuinely wants to help one another grow?

Let me tell you a story. As a young person and well into my teens, I was severely introverted. I was afraid of my own shadow…until that day.

I have been a MOR graduate for ten years! My cohort created a menu. I started reflecting on what I still serve off that menu ten years later.

I am grateful for how my cohort and coaches have helped me to look inward, an honest look at myself and my mindset. It has been transformative.

I tend to say “yes” to everything. There are many reasons. For a long time, this served me well enough, but it all became too much.

I volunteer as a bingo caller at my church. During a recent game, my mind meandered to how a good bingo caller is similar to being a good leader.

I am a huge Ted Lasso fan. It was so refreshing to see a show achieve success with a leader that was kind, ethical, humane, caring, and funny.

There have been times when my work started to feel stale less engaging. Learning a new skill or tackling a new challenge helped reignite my spark.

At first, the prospect of leaving management was concerning. What would it mean for my career prospects? What would happen to my current team?

I was flipping through my notebook. I wrote down what I want to be known for. Later I circled the question “Is what I said true?” I had some doubts.

Being fully present provides the opportunity for us to be intentional in sending messages of sincere interest and make meaningful connections.

I started wall climbing. I was surrounded by people far better me. I was the worst in the class. This was the perfect place.

[Today’s Tuesday Reading is from Peggy Huston, Leadership Coach at MOR Associates.  Peggy may be reached at [email protected].]   What makes a great leader?  I posted this question in a Google search and received a long list of important traits for a great leader, such as integrity, good communication, agility, influence, empathy, courage, respect, knowledge, etc. […]

Recently, different MOR cohorts have had the opportunity to hear leadership lessons from several accomplished program sponsors. Their insights seem well worth passing along so others can benefit from these thoughtful reflections. 1. Self-Acceptance Is an Important Starting Point As one person shared, “there is only one of you, who you are is unique, embrace this.” […]

Gratitude makes us feel good on both the sending and receiving side. However, it goes further: expressing gratitude at work can make us healthier.