The Hero’s Journey

I came back from my extended holiday last week to an amazing stream of banter in the Whatsapp group of my incredible Luminous leader Accelerators. It’s been 4 months since we officially finished the inaugural round of this new program but their ability to share and celebrate with each other continues...one of them is currently doing the a purpose project the shitbox rally for charity with her dad, another has been promoted to a chief of strategy role, another has stepped up and grabbed a new executive role, many of them are sharing snaps of taking real time out with their families on holiday after major projects and launches. I am constantly amazed and grateful to have met and worked with these special leaders and seeing what they have achieved and how they continue to cheer each other on brings a tear to my eye right now.

When I think back to the first few sessions with them when they were struggling with their confidence, speaking up, saying ‘no’ to things, not asking for what they wanted and needed...I’m blow away by where they are now.

I’m reminded of this quote by Brene Brown.?

"Daring greatly means the courage to be vulnerable. It means to show up and be seen. To ask for what you need. To talk about how you're feeling. To have the hard conversations."?

It has been moving to witness these guys having tough conversations with themselves and the beautiful support they gave to each other. What I know to be true when we are prepared to do this, this is the secret to becoming more confident and connected to who we are. It smashes down the expectations we are placing on ourselves to be perfect or have all the right answers or be ‘good enough’.?

You know, all the things we say to ourselves that hold us back from speaking up and keep us playing small...?

Personally, I'm extremely passionate about supporting leaders on this journey because I’ve been through the highs and lows of this journey myself. From lack of self-belief to speak up to knowing deeply that I am enough, that I have something valuable to contribute and must speak up, and that when I do this, I empower others to do as well.

Going on this journey working with amazing coaches and trainers was a transformative experience for me and in this program, I’m sharing all of this knowledge and wisdom to help other amazing leaders rise...and today, I wanted to share one of the concepts I shared with the group towards the start of the program.

The Hero’s Journey??

Perhaps you're already familiar with it? The hero's journey, originally coined by Joseph Campbell who was a writer in the 1940s, describes the adventure and challenges that a character faces along a transformational journey. When we step into the coaching room, when we embark on a journey of personal and professional development, the hero's journey resonates deeply with the experience that awaits us. Campbell identified three general phases we go through when we step up and embrace growth, unlocking new levels of personal and professional achievement.

1. The Departure???

First, there's the phase of departure, where we leave behind the familiar and comfortable world we know so well. Often, we encounter a mentor or witness someone else's remarkable growth, which ignites our own desire for change. One of the women in the group described seeing the change her boss had gone through as she went on an Executive Coaching journey with me and was drawn into this program due to that.

2. The Initiation??

Then comes the initiation phase. We take that bold step across the threshold into an unfamiliar world filled with uncertainty, discomfort, and unknown outcomes. Throughout this phase, we encounter tests and trials, both allies and adversaries. It’s that point where you might want to turn back and return to the comfort of what you know...that’s why In the Luminous Leader? Program, you'll have the incredible support of a like-minded group of leaders who will act as your cheer squad, guiding you through the challenges that arise. And yes, there will be low points along the journey, but it's through these moments that we learn valuable lessons and emerge stronger than ever before.?

3. The Return??

Finally, there's the return phase. Equipped with hard-earned lessons, we return to our world transformed, ready to inspire and guide others on their own growth and development journeys. This principle lies at the heart of the Luminous Leader? Program. It’s the mindset of stepping into a more radiant role model as a leader so that you can coach, inspire and empower others around you to go on their own journeys of growth. To me, this is sustainable leadership. That’s why learning to be a great role model and coach as a leader is critical in this program.??

My invitation to you?

If you've been sensing signs around you, indicating that it's time to depart from the world you know and embark on a journey of growth, then let this email but your ‘nudge’ call to action. Make that leap, answer the call, put yourself in situations and rooms that will challenge you, stretch you and help you to become a better leader for yourself and others. ?

If this article and the work I do speaks to you then I may be the right coach and mentor for you. I invite you to join me to experience what it’s like to be in The Luminous Leader? Accelerator coaching room by joining my latest Luminous Coaching Conversation. ?

What is a Luminous Coaching Conversation???

This is where those that follow our work and buy into wanting to invest time into their growth get the chance to come together in a complimentary coaching session around a key topic or challenge, they are facing.? It’s always a safe space to land, to find your voice and share both your burning questions and your advice and experience with others if it can help them.???I’m always blown away by the generosity in the room to both hold space for others and share ideas that could help.? So, if you are a senior manager or a leader that feels stagnant or is needing a spark of inspiration then come and join me;?

What we will talk about: How to unlock the power of emotions in the workplace

We are emotional beings, it’s how we connect and lead others forward, but it can also be our Achilles heel. You know those moments, when you get “triggered” and carried away by your emotions – the frustration or anger boils over or you just want to pack in all in and retreat...

If we want to become a more impactful leader leading bigger teams and influencing a broader and more complex range of stakeholders, then learning to master and channel our emotions is critical.?

In this session we’ll be talking about:?

• Why building our emotional intelligence has the power to future-proof our careers as leaders?
• Why we get ‘triggered’ in the workplace?
• My top strategies to regulate our emotional state?
• How to build the emotional intelligence muscle as leaders?
• And many more things I’m sure!?

When: 8.30am live on Wednesday 3rd July?

RSVP HERE

This session was one of the most engaging and spirited conversations of 2023 and I can’t wait to bring it back to you this month!?

Here's to being more luminous in life and leadership!??