How we respond

Welcome Cultivated Leadership ?? Community!

Ever feel like you're the only one holding everything together?

You're not alone. Small business leaders often find themselves overworked and overwhelmed, constantly putting out fires ??. But what if I told you that there’s a better way?

Hi, I’m Ben Killoy owner of True North Consulting. We believe empowered leaders create a brighter future. When leaders thrive at work, they inspire and nurture the next generation at home. We help build independent teams, reducing work stress, boosting success, and allowing for worry-free memories to be made at home. If you are fired up and ready to start your journey after reading this week's newsletter, let's connect.

Picture this: You're a small business leader, stressed and fatigued, struggling to maintain a work-life balance. Sound familiar? Maybe you have five friends who also own businesses and they always look stressed and worried like you. So, you adopt that this is just how it must be because it must be the right of passage to owning a business hidden in the fine print.

But then, one day you meet a leader who tells you he just signed up to coach his sons soccer team this fall and is running practices at 4 PM and you are thinking "how can this be".

I am here to tell you it can be, and it comes down to realizing that you don't know what you don't know, and this isn't how it's supposed to be. You started this business to create freedom in your life, or maybe you took the promotion thinking you would have more time and freedom to, but it ended up being a prison of feelings and endless emails.

The key to overcoming this isn't working harder; it's about responding thoughtfully, showing genuine empathy, and leading with authenticity. That may sound too easy, but often the stuff that moves the needle the most will be the simple things we trip over every day but fail to move.

Step-by-Step Plan:

1. Respond Thoughtfully: Take a moment to consider your actions and decisions and how you are contributing to the situation and imagine instead of what part of the problem is you, but what part of the solution is you. And as you learn more you realize you have control over more than you ever thought you did.
2. Respond with Empathy: Understand and address your team's needs. You have a team to take care of business, take care of the customers, and keep things running. Your best roll is to help plow the road for them, get rid of tasks that don't direct serve the customer, add value to the customer, or increase customers.
3. Be Authentic: Stay true to your values and lead with integrity. Lean into the hard decisions, choose courage, speak the truth, and even when its hard, lean in. You are hiding from hard conversations or changing your personality around different people, this will lead to people not being able to trust you.

Weekly Reflection:

Focus Topic: Your Response is Your Responsibility

Practical Tips:

1. Respond Thoughtfully: Pause before reacting to challenges.
2. Show Empathy: Make time to listen to your team.
3. Be Authentic: Align your actions with your core values.
4. Lead with Integrity: Demonstrate honesty and fairness consistently.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Are you taking the time to respond thoughtfully in challenging situations?
2. How can you show more empathy and authenticity in your leadership?
3. What steps can you take to lead with integrity and build a more independent team?

Leadership Quote

“The courage to be vulnerable is not about winning or losing, it’s about the courage to show up when you can’t predict or control the outcome.” Brene Brown

Featured Resources:

Recommended Books/Articles:

Lead Better Now: A Practical Guide to Increase Your Influence as a Leader by Jake Thompson Amazon

Downloadable Resource:

E-book “Extinguish - How to Stop Fighting Fires At Work by Ben Killoy” - Explore why we often find ourselves in a constant state of emergency and learn powerful strategies to extinguish these fires, paving the way for a future of calm, effective leadership. Discover how heart-centered leadership can end burnout and transform your approach to team management. Download for FREE

Community Spotlight:

"Ben's course helped me implement effective strategies for managing my team. As a co-dependent person in recovery, I learned to ask critical questions about my leadership style and its impact. This self-awareness allowed me to become more empathetic and resilient, ultimately empowering my team to see the organization's vision and mission clearly." - BT (Director 911 Operations Center)

Remember, true leadership goes beyond decisions, it starts with Self—it's about inspiring and nurturing the next generation at work and home. We believe Inspired and courageous leaders create a better tomorrow, even when you're away. By building strong, independent teams that think critically, speak honestly, and lead with courage, you can focus on making worry-free memories at home. Embrace your potential as a leader and start making a meaningful impact today.

Preview Next Week: Stay tuned for our next issue where we'll explore the power of feedback in a team.

Connect and Engage

What’s your biggest leadership challenge right now? Comment below and let me know. Your insights could help others facing similar issues.

How Can We Work Together?

We help leaders become better versions of themselves, empowering their teams to excel and enabling them to enjoy time away from work.

1. Assessments Using DISC: Gain insights into your leadership style and team dynamics with DISC assessments. Understand your strengths and areas for improvement to foster a more effective and harmonious workplace.
2. Workshops: Learn the Right Tools to Become a Better Leader: Participate in interactive workshops designed to equip you with the essential tools and techniques for effective leadership. Enhance your skills in communication, team-building, and strategic thinking.
3. 1:1 Coaching: Receive personalized coaching to address your specific leadership challenges and goals. Develop adaptive leadership skills, improve decision-making, and achieve your full potential with tailored guidance.
4. Keynote Speaking: Inspire and motivate your team with engaging keynote speeches that offer practical insights and real-world examples of successful leadership. Perfect for conferences, seminars, and corporate events. In-person or Virtual

Upcoming Events

Cultivated Leadership Intensive

Secure Your Spot Now – Limited to 50 Participants! Early Bird Discount ends July 31st.

Cultivated Leadership Intensive | Rock County Airport | Janesville, WI

September 17th | 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM | Lunch Included

Visit benkilloy.com/intensive - Make your leadership count – see you on the 17th!