Choose Love to Lead

It's February, which means it's time to express our love!?

Last month, I shared that my word for the year is Elevate, and my second is Celebrate. I hope you’ll indulge me while I share something I celebrated this month that made me feel loved. Also, I’m being accountable to you.? Then, I want to present some ideas to reinforce choosing love to lead.

Reflecting

On February 1st, I hosted a book signing event. At first, I was excited about the idea, but later, I wondered whether I should proceed. However, a small voice in my head asked me, "Isn't 'celebrate' a theme of your year?" After considering the advantages of gathering people and elevating awareness of my book, I decided to proceed. And I'm so happy I did it. To those who attended, thank you so much. And to those who couldn't come, I felt your support. This event reminded me of the importance of togetherness and what brings me joy.

T?? I have a solid community of people who care about me!

T?? My community brings positive, powerful energy.

T?? The laughter echoed throughout the beautiful Hera Hub facility and was accentuated by people's love for each other. Most people knew someone there, and if they didn’t, the warmth of the community welcomed them.

T?? Staying connected is the key to thriving in life.

Here is a link to the photo collage that beautifully captures the joy, love, and laughter.

Choose love to lead in your daily practice

?I recently conducted a workshop titled "Elevate People Power Skills." The company has a culture that truly reflects its mission to create and sustain a caring, inclusive environment. They communicate openly by sharing things they could have done better, but they push forward and reflect on their successes. The team is excited to brainstorm solutions together, and they are a diverse group, representing a variety of cultures and generations.

Two components we discussed that will I hope will add value to you as you are below.?

People skills are a foundation for inclusive cultures

We all know listening is essential, but we often need help to do it effectively. The most impactful way to listen is by practicing empathetic listening, where we listen to understand and feel what the speaker is experiencing.

I have had to work on improving my empathy skills. Whenever someone shares a problem or situation I may not have experienced, I avoid judging them and focus on putting myself in their shoes. I try to imagine how I would feel in their situation. I believe this is a skill that can be developed with practice.

How do you know when the person you're engaging with senses that you care?

Creating Safe Spaces

Do you ever find yourself in a situation where you want to ask a question but are afraid of looking or feeling stupid? I know I have. However, I've learned that it's okay to be vulnerable and humble and ask questions even if it may seem silly. When I conduct training sessions, I often notice that some participants hesitate to ask questions due to fear of being judged or making mistakes. To create a safe and supportive learning environment, I refer to the conference room as the learning lab, where it's okay to make mistakes and learn from them.

Instead of assuming that someone isn't participating because they are shy or introverted, consider that they may not feel safe asking questions. Whether you're leading a meeting or participating as a team member, try to create a safe space for others by being an ally and making them feel valued. For example, you could acknowledge someone's contribution by saying, "You made some good points earlier, and I think the rest of the team would benefit from hearing your thoughts."

Belonging is created when we practice safe spaces - the "B" in DEI.

Valentine's Day is typically associated with romantic love, but it's important to remember that it's also a day to express our love for others. Whether you're at work, running errands, or spending time with loved ones, take the opportunity to spread kindness and love to everyone you meet.