Leadership and Career Strategy: Lessons from My Daughter’s Wedding

Last week was a truly memorable moment as I witnessed my daughter exchange vows. Her wedding was a meticulously planned affair, filled with love, joy, and unforgettable moments. Reflecting on this milestone, I realized how the principles I apply in career development and leadership were integral to orchestrating her perfect day.

Crafting a Vision and Setting Intentions

From the outset, we envisioned a wedding that mirrored our family values, showcased my daughter’s personality, and celebrated her love story. This vision guided every decision, from choosing the venue to selecting the color scheme.

Similarly, in your career, having a clear vision is essential. It helps you navigate choices, set meaningful goals, and stay focused on your long-term objectives.

“It's not what the vision is, it's what the vision does" Peter Senge

Surrounding Yourself with Experts

Great leaders?hire others?who are subject matter experts - they possess the?self-confidence?to surround themselves with a dedicated team of trusted advisors.

Central to the wedding’s success was assembling a top-notch team, including: a seasoned wedding planner, a trusted photographer, hair and makeup professionals, a brilliantly creative floral designer, a caterer who exceeded expectations, and a stellar seamstress - among others. Like senior leaders who rely on their advisors, your career thrives when you surround yourself with SME's, colleagues, mentors and a personal career manager—individuals whose expertise complements your own, propelling you toward greater success. (WISE Q: Who is on your personal team of advisors? )

“No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it." H.E. Luccock

Collaboration and Communication

Throughout the planning process, effective communication and collaboration were paramount. Regular meetings ensured alignment with our vision, while flexibility enabled us to navigate unexpected challenges smoothly. In your career, fostering open communication and adaptability ensures teams work toward shared goals and can swiftly pivot in response to changing circumstances.

A report by Fierce, showed that 86% of respondents blame a lack of workplace collaboration or ineffective communication for workplace failures, while 97% believe a lack of alignment within a team impacts tasks or project outcomes.

Clear expectations were set with everyone involved, preventing misunderstandings and ensuring everyone was on the same page. Similarly, in your career, managing expectations and regularly reviewing progress against goals build trust and clarity, fostering productive relationships with open communication among all stakeholders will ensure execution of your vision.

Embrace Flexibility and Adaptability

Despite meticulous planning, unexpected challenges can arise. During the wedding, we had a few hiccups that required quick thinking and adaptability. (like an pop up thunderstrom in the middle of group photos staged in the garden) Similarly, in your career, being flexible and adaptable is crucial. Business plans may change, and unexpected opportunities or obstacles may arise. Embrace these changes and adapt your strategies as needed to stay on course and to stay relevant.

Harvard Business School survey showed that 71% of 1,500 executives from more than 90 countries said adaptability was the most important quality they looked for in a leader; data from a 2021 McKinsey & Company study revealed people proficient in adaptability were 24% more likely to be employed and research by?Barclays Lifeskills?shows that 60% of employers believe that adaptability has become more important this decade.

It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor?the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” Charles Darwin

Attention to Detail and Brand Consistency

Every detail of the wedding, from the invitations to the décor, reflected our distinctive style and values and was aligned to the overarching vision. Likewise, in your professional life, attention to detail and maintaining a consistent personal brand across platforms—LinkedIn, professional events, and marketing materials—and at all touchpionts - positions you uniquely in the marketplace, amplifying your professional impact. In my private consulting work, I don't create my clients brand instead I help them reveal it by naming it, claiming it and aiming it to accelerate and/or ensure continued success

“You are the most important product you will ever market" - Janet Wise

Celebrating Milestones

The wedding underscored the importance of celebrating milestones, marking achievements, and setting new aspirations. In your career, acknowledging successes, no matter how small, fuels motivation and inspires continued growth and achievement.

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” – Oprah Winfrey

Planning my daughter’s wedding was not only a deeply personal experience but also a testament to the universal principles of vision, teamwork, and adaptability that shape both personal milestones and professional success. As you navigate your career journey, remember to apply these wise principles consistently. Here’s to crafting remarkable experiences and achieving lasting success, both in life and in your career.

Thank you for joining me in celebrating this special moment and share your comments on how important vision, brand and adaptability are to your career success?

About Janet Wise, MS HRD - Executive Branding Expert, Leadership, Learning & Career Mobility Consultant, and Career Manager. Janet spent 20 years identifying and helping top performers at Fortune 500 companies develop and demonstrate their leadership brand to fully capitalize on their unique value while serving as Global Head of Learning, Leadership & Talent functions.

Today, Janet combines her expertise and experience in a proven personal branding and career management system called The Branding Room ? providing training and 1:1 coaching to ambitious individuals, emerging female leaders and Learning & Development teams.