Keeping Leadership Real with Julianne Wolfe

I have known Julianne Wolfe, PMP, PMSCP, founder of Skill Mavens LLC, for years through the PMI Pittsburgh Chapter of Project Management Institute and she never ceases to amaze me. Talking with her provided a deep dive into the realities of leadership—particularly the need to build resilient, inclusive teams.

Leadership Philosophy

Julianne describes herself as a collaborative leader, someone who values servant leadership and redefines it. She believes that leaders and their teams are partners, each with their own goals but working toward mutual success.?

• Leadership Lesson: Foster an environment where everyone feels valued, and success becomes a shared journey.

Creating Inclusive Teams

Julianne emphasizes the importance of modeling vulnerability and trust. She believes leaders should acknowledge that they don’t know everything, creating an atmosphere where team members feel safe to express ideas and be themselves.?

• Leadership Lesson: Build a culture of trust by being open and honest about what you don’t know and encouraging others to share their strengths with the team.

As a leader, you need to look in and look out. ‘Look in’ at your strengths and opportunities for growth and ‘look out’ for your team’s talents, gaps, and opportunities to shine.

Personal Growth and Continuous Learning

To maintain self-awareness and growth, Julianne practices constant self-education through books, podcasts, and industry trends. She values staying updated with what’s happening in her field to ensure her leadership style evolves with the times.?

• Leadership Lesson: Commit to continuous improvement by staying informed and open to learning from various sources.

Advice for Aspiring Leaders

Julianne advises future leaders to "look in and look out." This means becoming more self-aware—understanding your own triggers and behaviors—and also seeking to understand the experiences of others.?

• Leadership Lesson: Self-awareness and empathy are key to effective leadership; know yourself and strive to understand those around you.

Julianne Wolfe’s journey exemplifies a leader who faces challenges head-on and uses each experience to grow. She reminds us that leadership is about collaboration, continuous learning, and the courage to rebuild when faced with setbacks.

Inspired by this? Let’s profile your leadership journey next!

And don’t miss my sessions at the PMI Global Summit this week, where we’ll explore leading with both heart and mind.

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