Sentari on Leadership: 10 Learnings and Observations of 2024 (So Far)…

Welcome back from summer break! Well, welcome back to my summer break from writing – I took two months off for pool time, terrible TV and thinking about topics to close out the last few articles of the year. In 2024 I’ve talked about the power of internal communications, soft skills, and personal branding. Now, more than halfway through the year, I want to check in with all of you and reflect on the lessons we’ve learned together so far in 2024.?

Below is a breakdown of learnings, observations, and all-around “stuff” I wish I could instill in everyone around me:

1. If you want to get ahead, you must always advocate for yourself. Whether it’s fostering a romantic relationship, setting boundaries with family, or convincing your boss and peers that you deserve that next title, promotion or recognition – you must be your biggest cheerleader. Articulating your needs should never have negative consequences. If it does and you’re scared to speak up, you’re likely part of a toxic relationship or workplace and should leave immediately (if you can).?
2. Accountability with empathy is difficult, but definitely not impossible.? I think holding people accountable is something that leaders struggle with the most, especially if you want to be liked. It’s imperative that people leaders focus on being respected over popularity, and for me, I think it is absolutely possible to show your people you care about them while also holding them to high standards. Remember: people strive for the standards you set for them. You can raise expectations and have honest conversations on what it will take to get there while still considering your employees’ personal and professional lives.
3. When done right, your brand can create unstoppable momentum. I am a product of great branding. I spend a lot of time curating thought leadership, evangelizing my wins, being vulnerable about my losses, and truly aligning my persona with my passion. This year this approach has paid off in ways I could have never imagined, with new connections, new opportunities, and a new outlook – all because I put myself out there. As noted in previous articles, how you position yourself to the world is so important, and I am seeing the benefits of it now more than ever
4. Invest in a good content and PR team. As an extension of my previous point, know that success doesn’t happen without intentionality. When you see my brand or my company’s brand out there it is because we have invested in experts and professionals to get the job done. If you want to elevate your brand, resource it properly.
5. Letting go is insanely powerful. About a year ago my coach, David A. Gerber , gave me some amazing advice: “Don’t care so much.” Hard for a passionate person like me, but it was exactly what I needed to hear: there are some things you just have to let go and let be. Trust me, once you do this you will approach problems differently and develop solutions from a more effective lens.
6. Giving unconditionally always pays off. I learned early in my career that being a good person and simply helping folks will always pay off eventually. This year, I made countless connections and offered advice to professionals in the Valley and across the country. I approached each conversation with?no expectations, only asking that they keep me posted and let me know how I can help more. That approach has paid off tenfold, and I am always amazed at how simply being a trusted advisor and friend can provide an amazing opportunity for scale.
7. Even though you hate it, you’ll have to repeat yourself six or seven times before people truly understand. A well-known rule of communications, but frustrating nevertheless. If you know me, you know there is nothing that triggers me more than having to say the same thing more than once. But through great therapy, I have learned that repetition is the only way to ensure clarity and alignment. That doesn’t mean you have to live in annoyance – it means that you must change the medium and set expectations surrounding reception for everyone on the other end.
8. You don’t have to have best friends at work but a nonnegotiable should be genuinely liking and respecting members of your team.? We spend so much time in the office (or virtual office) so to make the work tolerable, you have to at least be able to tolerate the people you’re around most. Find common ground, learn to understand how they support the business, use humor, and perhaps get a work bestie like l have with Kim Ho . Collaboration and genuine interest in what everyone has to offer will make the days go by faster.
9. Everybody has a grand F up at least once a quarter … learn from the mistakes. I know it might be hard to believe but even Sentari Minor messes up from time to time. Forgetting to send an email, completely misinterpreting a communique, or simply not handling a situation in the best way …happens! Give yourself some mercy, some grace, reflect, and learn from it.
10. There is nothing more important than intentional time for strategy and creativity … we all need to slow down to speed up. Oftentimes executives cannot see the power in reflection. They can’t see the power in stepping back to assess, build out a cogent strategy, and be creative. I believe that I have been able to help guide our team at evolvedMD so effectively because I make sure to block out time to just sit and think about issues impacting the company and brainstorm solutions (likely in my office, door closed, listening to Cowboy Carter, surrounded by post its). That doesn’t happen when you are going from meeting to meeting. The magic only happens when you can truly spend time looking at the business instead of being in the business.

Hope these nuggets of wisdom help you as you close out this year strong.

Felt good to get these out of my mind and into this article – curious to know what resonated with you the most.?

Best known as an award-winning company culture whisperer and strategy guru,?Sentari Minor?has spent more than a decade cultivating new businesses, building brands, and advancing people and ideas at several category-leading enterprises and nonprofits in the Southwest. He received "40 Under 40" recognition in 2022 from the Phoenix Business Journal and was named a Phoenix "Titan 100" in 2024. He currently serves as Chief of Staff and Head of Investor Relations at evolvedMD?in Scottsdale, Arizona, an Inc. 5000 firm. SentariMMinor.com.