Digging Deep: Reflections of the Leaders Within Me

The last year's been exceptionally challenging for me, affecting every aspect of my life. Scaling InspHired Recruitment Solutions and relaunching the Verify Me app as InspHired Worx has been incredibly taxing. Additionally, personal struggles with loss and grief have left me feeling overwhelmed and introspective.

When faced with adversity, my instinct is to retreat and seek the lessons hidden within the hardships. While I haven't yet uncovered all the insights, I've realised that my reactions to these challenges mirror those of many leaders I've worked with throughout my career. I'd like to share some of the invaluable lessons I've learned from them.

1. Lesson from The Practical Man

My first manager was a practical man who built his own IT firm after years of self-taught programming. Growing up in a large household where he often felt overlooked, he used humor to navigate tough situations. He would joke about everything, including our team, to diffuse tension. It took me a while to get used to a leader making fun of what I perceived at times to be critical challenges but today I get it. I now use humor as a tool to convey messages and process difficulties. I often say that making fun of something is a great sign I've processed the issue psychologically and emotionally. Lesson: Humor is a powerful tool for processing and overcoming challenges.

2. Lesson from The Street Fighters

Often we don’t fully appreciate the roles of others until we walk in their shoes. Being an entrepreneur has deepened my respect for all entrepreneurs, especially the ones I've worked for. Building and growing a business is tougher than it looks. Success in business requires more than just mastering your craft; it demands immense courage. Many people possess knowledge, but few take action and upon reflection, the common thread in all the exceptional leaders I've worked for is courage, the courage of a street fighter. Almost all the founders I've worked for have shown me that courage—the courage to believe, to start, and to persevere long after others have given up—is essential. Lesson: Courage is critical for starting and sustaining entrepreneurial ventures.

3. Lesson from The Intellectual

Unfortunately for me, courage and humor can only take you so far. I’m reminded of a leader I worked for who in my view had such a high ceiling. He came across as distinguished, articulate and driven. I recently looked him up and found that he’s completed another senior qualification and I immediately remembered his obsession with learning and self improvement. Even when he seemed to me to have reached the pinnacle of his industry he continued to push himself to learn more and be more. The lesson here is crucial: as leaders and entrepreneurs, our organizations rarely grow beyond our capabilities. Continuous self-improvement is vital for taking ourselves and our businesses to the next level. Lesson: Continuous self-improvement is the key to personal and organizational growth.

Bringing It Home

Digging Deep: Courage will get you started and keep you in the fight, humor will help you through the darkest times, but continuous self-improvement will propel you to the next level.

What are some lessons you've learned from leaders you've worked with?