Lead Yourself First: Transform Team Culture, Navigate Change, and Drive Results with Empathy and Respect
Catherine Plank
Audiobook Narrator / Voice Actor My narrator name on Audible is "Catherine O'Connor"
Feeling overwhelmed by the relentless demands of leadership? It's exhausting to inspire your team, navigate cultural change, and still stay true to your own values. Too often, you find yourself caught in an emotional tug-of-war—trapped between expectations and reality, struggling to keep up while losing sight of what matters most. The stakes are high, and the pressure to lead effectively can be daunting.
Consider two possible scenarios:
Scenario 1: The Toxic Leader Imagine yourself as a leader who is always stressed, overworked, and overwhelmed. You constantly micromanage your team, yell at employees during meetings, and make decisions out of fear rather than logic. This type of leadership results in a toxic work environment where your team members are afraid to speak up, morale is at an all-time low, and turnover is high. Employees feel undervalued, disengaged, and eventually, the entire team’s productivity plummets.
Scenario 2: The Transformational Leader Now imagine yourself embracing self-leadership and embodying empathy and respect. You prioritize your own well-being, delegate effectively, and support your team through open communication. You create an environment where employees feel heard and valued, where they can safely share ideas and concerns. As a result, the team thrives—morale is high, engagement is strong, and productivity soars. Your approach not only transforms the team’s culture but also drives tangible business results.
Reconnect With Yourself
Julie Donley, EdD, MBA, RN, PCC , a seasoned leadership expert, understands these challenges firsthand. She reveals how reconnecting with yourself is the key to becoming an empathetic and effective leader. Julie is an accomplished author, coach, and former healthcare executive who brings a wealth of experience to the world of leadership.
Having navigated the pressures of both mental health nursing and executive roles, she understands the emotional rollercoaster that leaders like you often face. Julie's philosophy centers on self-leadership, empathy, and respect—values she explores deeply in her books, including Leading at the Speed of People , Does Change Have to Be So HARD? , and A Journey Called You . Her work emphasizes that great leadership begins from within, by understanding and managing your own emotions before leading others.
Julie has seen firsthand how connection and respect can unlock teams to do their best work and positively change the workplace for everyone. Her experience working with adolescents in behavioral healthcare taught her that difficult behavior often reflects underlying trauma and pain. Applying this understanding to leadership, Julie found that empathy and respect are essential to foster positive team dynamics.
Disconnection and Overwhelm
As a team leader or manager, you may struggle with feeling overwhelmed and disconnected—unable to inspire your teams effectively or lead cultural change initiatives. This sense of disconnection often stems from trying to meet the endless demands of the role without a clear understanding of yourself. When you are stressed and disconnected from your own values, your team suffers too. A lack of empathy and respect can easily lead to low morale, poor communication, and a toxic work culture. Julie Donley teaches that in order to inspire others, you must first reconnect with your own mission and purpose.
Julie’s Personal Journey
Julie’s journey began as a healthcare executive, where she experienced the overwhelming pressure of trying to lead teams while managing her own stress. It was during this time that she realized the importance of self-leadership. She learned that to effectively navigate the demands of leadership, she needed to reconnect with her own mission and manage her internal emotions. This turning point led her to create a unique leadership framework that focuses on empathy and respect—not just as buzzwords, but as critical components for creating thriving teams and positive change.
Julie’s experience as a mental health nurse taught her the importance of ethical leadership. She emphasizes the need for you to be in touch with your own values and to create a safe environment for your team to speak up. Ethical leadership requires courage and consistency, and it starts with leading yourself first.
Key Insights from Julie Donley
Julie’s leadership philosophy revolves around the power of empathy, respect, and self-awareness. Here are some key lessons she shares with leaders:
Catherine O'Connor's Experience Narrating Julie's Books
As an audiobook narrator, I had the pleasure of narrating Julie's three books—Leading at the Speed of People , Does Change Have to Be So HARD? , and A Journey Called You .
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I loved Julie's authentic approach and her deep understanding of human behavior. Her messages about empathy, self-leadership, and personal growth resonated with me on a profound level.
In A Journey Called You , Julie's exploration of self-discovery and acceptance was particularly powerful, reminding me of the importance of compassion for myself, and not just others. Julie’s storytelling made the narration process insightful and deeply inspiring.
Transformation and Success Stories
Julie has worked with numerous leaders who struggled with disconnection and stress. One client, a department head at a large corporation, found herself constantly overwhelmed by the demands of her role. Through Julie’s guidance, she learned to apply the CARE model, starting with improving her self-awareness and communication skills.
By leading herself first, she was able to foster a more empathetic and respectful environment for her team. The transformation was remarkable—not only did team morale improve, but productivity increased as well, and the work culture became one of mutual support and respect.
The Leadership Trilogy: A Journey Called You, Does Change Have to Be So HARD?, and Leading at the Speed of People
A Journey Called You serves as a foundational piece in Julie Donley's trilogy of leadership books, tying together the themes of personal growth, empathy, and respect. While Does Change Have to Be So HARD? provides tools for overcoming resistance to change and Leading at the Speed of People focuses on creating a responsive and empathetic work culture, A Journey Called You emphasizes the importance of understanding yourself.
It provides you with the tools to engage in self-discovery and acceptance, necessary for effective leadership. Together, these books form a cohesive guide for leaders looking to transform themselves and their teams through empathy, respect, and self-awareness.
Powerful Insights from the Trilogy:
In her book Does Change Have to Be So HARD? , Julie shares the story of a leader who struggled with perfectionism and the constant need to do everything herself. By letting go of unrealistic expectations and learning to delegate, she was able to reduce her stress and become a more effective leader. This transformation not only improved her own well-being but also empowered her team to take on more responsibility and grow in their roles.
In Leading at the Speed of People , Julie recounts the journey of a leader who faced challenges in adapting to the fast-paced nature of their industry. By embracing empathy and agility, this leader was able to create a more responsive and connected team, ultimately driving positive change within the organization.
Conclusion: Lead Yourself, Transform Your Team
Leadership is about connecting deeply with yourself and your team to create an environment where everyone can thrive. True leadership begins with self-awareness and empathy. When you lead yourself first, you not reduce your stress and inspire your team to perform at their best.
Whether it's overcoming resistance to change, rediscovering the joy in leadership, or cultivating a culture of empathy and respect, Julie's trilogy provides a powerful roadmap for transformation. It's time to take the first step toward becoming the transformational leader you aspire to be. Start by applying the CARE model, leading with empathy, and reconnecting with your own values.
Your journey to becoming a transformational leader requires growth, empathy, and consistent self-improvement. The difference between a toxic leader and a transformational one lies in the choice to lead yourself first. Embrace empathy, cultivate respect, and transform the way you lead. Your team needs a leader who inspires, supports, and brings out the best in everyone. Be that leader. Dive into Julie's books, explore your own journey, and take action today. Visit DrJulieDonley.com to learn more and begin your transformation.
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