Level Up Your Leadership with Olivia Montgomery

Level Up Your Leadership is an ongoing, bite-sized series of interviews with leaders across industries and the globe. Discover what makes them tick and what advice they have for you so you can take your leadership game to the next level!

I have the honor to be presenting at Project Management Institute 's 2024 Global Summit on Resilience and Relatability with Olivia Montgomery and Jake McGaffin, MBA, MEM, CSM . These two bosses of the leadership game come from very different backgrounds yet are equally passionate about creating safe, inclusive spaces in which teams thrive. Read on, dear LinkedIn family, to learn about building inclusive and engaging teams. Olivia, of Gartner Digital Markets and Capterra fame, is first up with insights that are pure gold! (Get your notepads ready, aspiring leaders! ??)

Olivia's top advice? "Walk the talk." Openly show the behaviors you want to see—actively listen and confirm what you’re hearing, seek diverse perspectives, and say "thank you" to the people sharing new, unique ideas. This creates a space where everyone feels comfortable thinking and sharing outside-the-box ideas.

If you want collaboration, be collaborative yourself. Seek input from all team members during meetings, acknowledge their contributions, and make decisions that reflect a collective effort. When your team sees you embodying these values, they're more likely to adopt them as well. (Sounds simple, but oh-so-powerful!)

Self-regulation is another key. As a leader, how you handle your emotions sets the tone for your team. Staying calm and composed, especially under pressure or when frustrated, helps your team feel secure and focused. For example, if a project hits a snag, take a deep breath and address the issue calmly with a clear plan. This shows emotional resilience and teaches your team to handle setbacks gracefully.

To “walk the talk” also means to be accountable for your actions and willing to apologize and make amends if you fall short. By consistently showing that you are committed to these principles, you inspire your team to do the same, leading to a more cohesive, motivated, and high-performing group.

Thank you, Olivia, for these invaluable tips! Let's all strive to "walk the talk" and lead by example. ??

#Leadership #TeamBuilding #InclusiveLeadership #HumanCenteredSuccess