Last Week's Leadership Lessons - May 6, 2024
John M. Jaramillo, MBA, MSOP
Leadership Performance Coach & Consultant | Leadership Design & Branding | Podcast Host??| Executive Advisor | Freelance Writer ?? | Speaker
Lessons From The Week of April 29th
?? Last Week's Leadership Lessons (LWLL) - Like, Share, Subscribe! ??
This Week: 1. Anxiety As A Catchall / 2. Branding Ecosystem / 3. Disengaged Bosses
Reader Beware: If you've been here before, you know the drill. Please feel free to jump right on ahead to the list of stories. If not, read from here on to understand what I'm trying to capture in the Last Week's Leadership Lessons (LWLL) series.
Talking about leadership can be repetitive and boring as hell!
We're always seeing and hearing the same old definitions, constructs, and formal tips related to and regurgitated about the leadership field, every so often punctuated by a perpetually rotating door of the latest industry buzzwords.
Even with all its great energy and intention, the themes and hopes of the leadership discipline, admittedly, can become a little monotonous -- without great stories and living examples to wake them up.
(Granted, I post about them as well. Guilty. So I guess maybe I mean "overkill." The?overkill?of your run-of-the-mill leadership ideas is what I'm trying to supplement -- and maybe unlock -- here through more unique takes and lenses.)
Hence why I launched this series.
The way the world is going, I think it's essential to think about and take in more lessons on humanity in general than leadership specifically.
In this series, I want to capture themes and ideas for leadership -- while being particularly cautious that they not be necessarily conveyed as leadership lessons in the articles or sources I cite. I want to find examples that demonstrate more lessons about HUMANITY than the usual script of clichéd leadership building blocks.
The way the world is going, I think it's essential to think about and take in more lessons on humanity in general than leadership specifically. And it's not like I'm forsaking one for the other; the former should inform and be the foundation for the latter. (That's just me. That's just my take.)
And to be clear, these valuable lessons, as I express them, aren't carved in stone. My translations aren't absolute. They can't be. It's not that simple. I think that's what gets us in trouble when it comes to learning (or not) about society and each other: Most issues are typically seen as black and white, left and right, up and down, one side or the other. But again, it's not that simple. Not everything can be. We force it to be that way.
In most instances -- not all, but in most -- there is room for interpretation and different ideas and views to be exchanged somewhere on the middle ground. More nuance exists than we typically see -- or will admit.
And in that nuance there's beauty. Because in that nuance we can learn from each other. And because of that nuance, each of my interpretations is just one option for consideration in that middle ground of learning.
All that being said, below are three articles I came across last week that have valuable lessons for leadership, purpose, and expression. In reading these pieces, you may find the lessons for leadership do not immediately stand out or reveal themselves -- and that's because lessons can range from the loud, obvious, and obnoxious to the subtle, unassuming, and hidden. In my breakdowns below I'll first cover the idea In General and then it's applicability In Leadership.
...it never hurts to continue learning from your fellow human beings, whether you know them or not.
And although the source materials are not all leadership-related per se, they can all apply to leadership -- in terms of how you present yourself, navigate through life and work, and move, impact, inspire, and appreciate others.
Even if you feel you've already crafted your leadership to where you want it to be and the results clearly show it -- where others can get behind them and vouch for you -- it never hurts to continue learning from your fellow human beings, whether you know them or not
Gestures, speeches, action, inaction, decisions, announcements, etc. They all tie in.
So bear with me. Some of them might seem like a stretch. But have some faith that I may be crazy -- but not?too?crazy.
This practice is merely effort to learn about ourselves, where we can improve, and how we can evolve.
Lessons are everywhere.
1. Anxiety Becoming A Catchall
In General
File this under: I Need To Do The Work To Understand Myself.
So many of us live with anxiety. Each person's anxiety might be triggered differently, looking and feeling unique from the next person's experience. But yes, like this article says, we may just be standardizing and batching them all into one definition and understanding without doing the work to understand our unique foundations of anxiety within ourselves.
I use the word "live" above because I think, for the most part, anxiety serves a purpose. It's part of us, deeply rooted in our DNA. It becomes an issue when it triggers a reaction in us without our understanding its deeper meaning. That understanding would allow us some space to breathe and tame it. And although we may think of it as a hassle and intruder, something to be "coped" with, we owe anxiety the respect it deserves. There's much more to it than the initial emotional rush we feel in our bodies when it hits us.
"The last thing any of us should do is barrel through emotions without any consideration of tracing that cord back to the wall to determine what's powering them."
In Leadership
When leaders work to understand where their feelings and emotions might be coming from, they're more in tune with who they are and what triggers them. In doing that work, they can pause regularly to understand what's going on inside them.
The last thing any of us should do is barrel through emotions without any consideration of tracing that cord back to the wall to determine what's powering them. By pausing and seeking understanding with curiosity, we can then begin the work of organizing our thinking, mindset, and resiliency tools to offset those triggers.
If you suffer from anxiety, what is its cause, and are you doing the thorough work of understanding it?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Applicable Past LWLL Editions
Applicable Books
Applicable The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
2. Building Your Brand Ecosystem
In General
Brand and story are everything. If you're reading this, it means you're curious about leadership and what it means, and what the tools might be we can use to make ourselves better humans. It's about collecting ideas, seeing parallels in who we are, and bringing that mindset to the surface, putting it into action.
When we're trying to improve something, rarely can we do it by just focusing on one narrow and specific area of it. Usually, we have to use several tools and approach something from all sides to make sure we have no blind spots and see things for what they are. The same goes for branding. There are various factors that go into painting a full, thorough, and accurate picture of who we are -- through our voice, presence, ideas, etc.
"You can't really help but see a leader's best (or worst) personal attributes come through in their leadership work."
In Leadership
The same way this article states, "As an entrepreneur, merge your personal and business brands," the same can be said for leaders. Gone are the days where a leader's personal side was kept separate from their place of business or formal role. You can't really help but see a leader's best (or worst) personal attributes come through in their leadership work.
And leaders don't always have to be on. They don't always need to be thinking about how they're coming across as a leader. They deserve some peace of mind from that pressure. But it is amazing how much those worlds can intersect and intertwine through an ecosystem of different focuses and tools across various fronts.
What does your ecosystem of leadership branding look like?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Applicable Past LWLL Editions
Applicable Books
Applicable The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
3. Advancing When Your Boss Is Disengaged
In General
Don't let your time, effort, and ambition be squandered, ignored, and depleted by anyone else, especially your boss, who has a bit of higher control over your fate than anyone else.
The thing I enjoy hearing the most when speaking to entrepreneurs on The Book Leads Podcast is how they didn't want to leave their fate in anyone else's hands. It's not that they have so much pride and ego they don't want to work under anyone else. It's more that others are not going to have your best interests in mind as much as you do (or should).
"We each need to take a hard look at who we are and what we want and how we're going to make it happen, impacting people in a positive manner along the way."
In Leadership
Although this is about you dealing with your boss, leadership is involved because this is where self-leadership comes in. Leadership, before leading others, is about leading oneself. We each need to take a hard look at who we are and what we want and how we're going to make it happen, impacting people in a positive manner along the way.
Leadership, to me, is more responsibility than power. There's an enormous responsibility where the livelihood, growth, and emotions of others fall in your hands. Leaders set the tone and environment for what is going to happen with and to those around them.
How do you go about making sure your leadership attributes are not squandered by anyone who might be charged with your development?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Applicable Past LWLL Editions
Applicable Books
Applicable The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
Honorable Mention
Philosophy Improving Your Mindset
In Leadership
The way they sold philosophy -- or anything, for that matter -- to us when we were kids should be a crime. Very rarely did we hear about mindset when I was younger. It was just "Get through this, you need to complete this" -- be it class, gym, graduating. There was never any mention of how it might benefit you later (aside from getting you a job). But there are lessons everywhere. Every kind of experience or area of life (and history) can provide nuggets of wisdom on how to approach life, work, and leadership. The three lessons from philosophy here provide a sound foundation for leadership growth. The awareness, strategy, and tactics of philosophy can be incredible -- if we learn how to look for them and apply them to where we need them most.
How can you apply these philosophical lessons to your life, development, and leadership?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Applicable Past LWLL Editions
Applicable Books
Applicable The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
Honorable Mention
Broad Interests Leading To Success
In Leadership
Just like a broad set of tools included in a branding ecosystem article above, broadening one's exposure to their environments opens up one's eyes to what's possible. A sampling, instead of a strict specialization, (at first) provides perspective and allows one to use various tools across different areas. An exposure to different mindsets and needs can help them with the problem in front of them. Because of that broad exposure, even when focusing on one area, thinking is expanded. That breadth of mindset opens up one's flexibility and arsenal of options and possibilities, allowing them to see things others might not.
How do you gain knowledge and specialty by broadening your exposure to what's around you?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Applicable Past LWLL Editions
Applicable Books
Applicable The Book Leads Podcast Episodes
That's it! Those are the main articles for this week.
What other examples of leadership lessons – maybe even those that aren’t so apparent and obvious – do you come across in your everyday life and work?
What have you read lately that offers some insight on being human and navigating life -- and yes, by default, leadership.
Reach out to me and let me know what you think of these. Please share your own if you've found articles or stories with great lessons or insights that can contribute to how we carry ourselves through our lives and work.
Okay...Some Leadership Articles
Okay, yes. I had to include an article that is focused on leadership. At least one.
Roadmap For Transitioning to Management
In Leadership
It's incredible how many leaders and managers are not prepared for taking on their next level of responsibility and performance. They're elevated without a process for transition, succession, or ongoing education. It's almost a lack of awareness that big changes are afoot. And that's where most leaders and organizations suffer the consequences. Each new level of formal responsibility deserves respect. "What got you hear won't get you there." It takes more effort, innovation, imagination, and consideration to rise up to the next level. The capability is there, but it's the respect for the change that makes the difference.
How much do you and/or your organization respect the transition and process of moving up to the next level of management?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Stop Worrying About Being Right
In Leadership
Being obsessed with being right all the time can cost you. It narrows your focus. Being curious, on the other hand, opens up a leader's mind to what they may have missed. If a leader needs to be right, and it becomes a need and a rite of passage, it leaves no room for exploration and thought of what else is possible. There's no flexibility or agility in thinking. The endgame dictates the energy used and pressure experienced today, putting stress on a person, clouding their thinking and results. Being driven by learning allows for more freedom during the course of the work.
How obsessed are you with being right as opposed to being comfortable growing and being curious?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Network Conversations With...Eric Boyd & FairWays to Leadership?
Something can always be learned from your network, whether it's in person, online, or in the media, and whether you know the person or not. Ideas, concepts, and behaviors can be studied, witnessed, taken up, or rebutted. Everything is networking, not just the relationship. The information, the conversation, the agreements and disagreements. It's all a part of what goes into building an extended, informed, engaged, integrated, and INVESTED network. In this section I'll outline something (or someone) I've come across in my network that has offered up a valuable lesson or reminder.
Last week, I recorded an episode (#96) of The Book Leads Podcast with professor, leadership coach, and non-profit leader Dr. Eric Boyd .
Eric, with his wife, Anna Alvarez Boyd, PCC , established the non-profit FairWays to Leadership (FWTL). FWTL promotes the leadership and networking ability of college students from diverse communities using the game of golf.
What's great about my conversation with Eric, and the lesson it shows, is how easily he and his wife launched, unknowingly at the time, a movement in FWTL. It's a great example of how someone's passion and knowledge can be someone else's opportunity to understand themselves, develop their confidence, and launch their life and career.
In this conversation we covered Eric and Anna's book, FairWays to Leadership?: Building Your Business Network One Round of Golf at a Time.
Eric's episode will be published in early May. Keep a look out for it!
How do you utilize your passions and expertise to pay it forward to others?
Last 10 LWLL Editions...
April 29, 2024 - 1. Unbothered People / 2. What People Think / 3. Toxic Shame
April 22, 2024 - 1. Negative Mood / 2. Anxiety About Public Speaking / 3. Describing Yourself
April 15, 2024 - 1. Empathic Listening / 2. Power of Questions / 3. Faces of Resilience
April 8, 2024 - 1. Saying "No" / 2. Rewiring Your Brain / 3. Self-Confidence & Success
April 1, 2024 - 1. Apology Languages / 2. Unlocking Innovation / 3. Success/Failure
March 25, 2024 - 1. Flexible Thinking / 2. Curiosity & Genuine Connection / 3. Do's & Don'ts For Being Wise
March 18, 2024 - 1. Regaining Calm / 2. Positive Habits / 3. Rage
March 11, 2024 - 1. Killing Credibility / 2. Introvert Visibility / 3. Get-To-Know-You Questions
March 4, 2024 - 1. Feeling Disliked / 2. Pet Peeves / 3. Present Over Perfect
February 26, 2024 - 1. Meaningful Conversations / 2. Responding To Thank You / 3. Villains At Work
What Do YOU Think?
What are your thoughts on these topics? Again, like everything else in this newsletter, the ideas here may not come to mind immediately when you think of leadership, but there's a place for them. These stories and questions ask us to consider how we see, interact with, and influence people -- and leadership is all about people. Sometimes, all it takes is a great prompt or a simple question to have us think about (or rethink) areas of our lives, especially our leadership.
Ready To Change Your Life?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Stress Languages
Check Out The Article HERE!
Countering Misinformation
Check Out The Article HERE!
Acts of Kindness = Being Happier & Healthier
Check Out The Article HERE!
ReSearch Your World
It's always good to keep in mind what research, science, and studies are showing us. Yes, things change from time to time, with new studies and research leading to new discoveries and conclusions -- and rethinking! But knowing what's being looked at and studied can help us consider what we're experiencing and seeing in our own lives and work. It keeps us curious about ourselves.
Rewiring Your Brain To Better Face Failure
In Leadership
Habits have been talked about in previous editions of LLWL. Rituals can be a habit and allow us to prepare and recuperate, focus and appreciate. They're steps we can take to pause for a moment and not get caught up in the sensations of fear, regret, or anxiety. They can also prime us, getting us ready for what's coming or help us re-center after what's occurred. Even though we may not see their impact right away, there's something about the ongoing practice and in them becoming a habit that can reinforce our will and recovery.
What role does ritual play in how you go about your performance and recovery? What are your go-to rituals to maintain your energy from one situation to the next?
Check Out The Article HERE!
"Quote!"
Here I'll share a quote from an article I found that helps frame some thought, curiosity, and questions.
Whether you've gotten one "no" or several in your life, work, or leadership, keep going. It was the combination of the factors in that situation that might not have worked, including the person sharing the "no," the timing, or your preparation (or lack thereof). There are too many opportunities out there to miss because of a moment that might've happened in the vacuum, where it was only the combination of those factors at the time that led to that "no" being shared. Do your due diligence, recognize your value, and keep moving to share. Yes, the execution of the work might need to change from situation to situation, but you never know when the right moment (and "yes") is going to hit.
How do you react when you are told "no," and what's your thinking in moving forward?
Check Out The Quote Post HERE!
Through Someone Else's Lens
We don't too often get to peer through someone else's lens of life. And we never will, really. The most we can do is listen to their story and imagine being in their shoes. Hearing that there are stories out there, though, is not enough. It has to be at the personal level. One-on-one, us with the story.
College Student Explores Rare Mental Health Condition In Award-Winning Podcast
If there was ever an innovate method by which to walk someone through what we're going through mentally, this is it. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and here's a great story to lead it off -- one of sharing, education, awareness, and understanding. This is a perfect example of trying to see life through someone else's lens in order to understand who they are -- but Michael is giving you the tour himself. What I love most about this is that Michael is proactively controlling the narrative. He's not keeping quiet but instead sharing openly who he is. It's that kind of bravery others could benefit from, to both understand themselves and others.
What would it look like if we could walk others through our mental mindscape?
Check Out The Article HERE!
Graphic Finds
Here's a few graphics I came across this week that painted a great picture, breaking down information and bringing to life a great idea clearly for our understanding. A visual helps make an idea pop, allowing us to see multiple moving parts at once. As always, it may not be perfect -- including everything we'd like to see or possibly including some things we'd rather not consider. But, at the very least, it gets us thinking and talking about the topic.
10 Leadership Pitfalls Driving Your Team To The Brink
This graphic was posted by LinkedIn colleague Steven Claes .
Whether in leadership or not, we can do so much damage to others if we're not careful. Toxicity, carelessness, or ignorance can drive people to the brink, and even over to the fall. There are different areas where we can demonstrate our leadership with others. Every moment counts. We don't have to be on all time, shooting for perfection, but we should definitely be cognizant and aware of the power we wield in our attitude, approach, and demeanor. Oftentimes, I find all a leader I'm coaching needs is to have their attention drawn to an area. They're more than willing to do the work, but they don't know how much influence their actions, whether subtle or not, may wield. They begin learning and paying attention.
How do you pay attention to the blind spot actions (or inactions) in your leadership that may be leading your team to the brink?
Find the graphic HERE!
How To Support Your Friends Or Family With Their Mental Health
This graphic was posted by my childhood friend and amazing colleague Tia Hawkins RN, BSN , who was also my guest on Episode 44 of The Book Leads Podcast.
Mental health conversations continue to maintain their position front-and-center in the public discourse. And that's amazing to see. Now that attention has drawn our awareness, we should continue the education to understand each other. It helps learning about different ways we can show up for people. It's a process of trial-and-error, but the important part is showing up and letting people know you're there. What impacts someone in their personal life will impact them in their professional life and leadership development. It's all connected. It's all who we are.
How do you seek to understand what others need in their mental health journey? How do you seek to understand what YOU need?
Find the graphic HERE!
Follow-Up On Past Editions
Here are some follow-up articles that build on, supplement, or intersect with topics covered in previous editions.
There's always a different take or angle to help us refine and build upon a discussion we've had in the past. We can bring either some reinforcement, clarity, or questions to past understandings. Because I just give you the articles and how they connect to previous editions, I leave you to figure out, much how I break down the lessons above, how to extract the lessons for your own leadership.
The Book Leads Podcast - Season 3, Episode 89: Hiba Khaled
Episode 89: Hiba Khaled & Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Leading by Ronald A. Heifetz and Marty Linsky
Hiba, a Physician-turned-Global Burnout Consultant & Speaker, dives deep into the work of burnout and mental health in the workplace. Her family -- one generation earlier, to be exact -- lived the refugee experience. Since that experience, her family's mantra has been one of service to others, leading her into the field of medicine. Over-dedicating herself in that career of service as an anesthesiologist is what led to her own experience with burnout and her desire to help others navigate their own.
In this conversation we talk mental health, the immigrant story, work-life balance, the state of Flow, our internal and external ecosystems, and the dynamics (and nuance) of culture and tradition.
And when it comes to culture and tradition, Hiba's is a unique perspective, or at least one that's rare and not too often heard -- that even as a Palestinian, she'll have to "renegotiate some of the loyalties" she has with her ancestors to understand and learn from others. In her case, specifically, from Israeli's. That renegotiation and openness to others do not reflect any less loyalty for her own people.
Conversation Highlights
The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Hiba is, How can we adapt to the outside world and avoid its usual repercussions by instead first doing the deep work internally within ourselves?
Next Up!
Episode 90: Autumn Carolynn & Her Book, Traveling in Wonder: A Travel Photographer's Tales of Wanderlust
This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.
Learn more about The Book Leads Podcast.
About The Book Leads Podcast
On The Book Leads podcast, I speak to specialists and experts across various industries and from varied backgrounds to learn about the book that made an impact and left an impression on their work, life, and leadership. In the course of my conversation I also learn about my guest's background, experience, and work they're carrying out today.
This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.
Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:
About Me
I'm a Leadership Performance Coach and Consultant at coachitout.com.?In addition to coaching, and as you can see above, I enjoy writing, podcasting, and speaking about leadership. Specifically, I work with clients to realize what they're all about when it comes to (1) new positions they've been hired or promoted into; and (2) rediscovering what they want out of their leadership, development, and career.
My signature talks include Design Your Leadership! Nine Ways to Sharpen Your Leadership Brand In The Everyday, and Platinum Networking: Designing A Unique Experience For Others In A World Of Disconnection.
Please subscribe to my newsletter Last Week's Leadership Lessons, if you haven't already!
Reach out to me at [email protected].
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6 个月Thanks for sharing.
Leadership Performance Coach & Consultant | Leadership Design & Branding | Podcast Host??| Executive Advisor | Freelance Writer ?? | Speaker
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