What Is "Sparkle" And Why Do We Need It At Work?

Welcome back to The Sunday Sparkle, your sparkly source of inspiration to go into your work week with creativity and self-expression top of mind. Think of this as a little sparkly pep in your step, so you can go into Monday remembering your magic and moving into the next level of your creative potential.

In this edition, we dive into the essence of "sparkle" and why it's essential for thriving in the workplace. So, grab your favorite beverage (mine is Peach Snapple), cozy up, and let's sparkle together on this fabulous Sunday.

Sparkle Insight ??

In the hustle and bustle of the modern workplace, it's easy to lose sight of who we really are. We get buried in our job responsibilities, overwhelmed with needing to hit numbers, or simply just lost in the auto-pilot of doing day-to-day work. We lose the color in our cheeks, the twinkle in our eyes, and the very thing that makes us US. I call this your "sparkle." Your sparkle is what makes you YOU— it's the essence of your uniqueness, how you show up in the world, and the magic you bring to everything you do. But why is it so crucial, especially in the context of work?

IMO, your sparkle is what distinguishes you from the rest and transforms you into an outstanding leader. When you fully embody your authentic self, you radiate an energy that inspires and empowers others. This is what we call magnetism. Authenticity breeds trust amongst the teams, and magnetism makes the team naturally gravitate towards the leader wanting to lean in and listen to them.

A leader who embraces their sparkle leads with integrity, passion, and purpose, creating a ripple effect of enthusiasm and possibility throughout their organization.

We want leaders who make us feel like anything is possible. Period. Moreover, sparkle is the secret ingredient that fosters meaningful connections and collaboration in the workplace. When we show up as our true selves, we invite others to do the same, creating an environment where diversity is celebrated and different perspectives are valued. Now, everyone feels like a valuable part of the team and empowered to contribute their unique view. Sparkle cultivates a culture of creativity, curiosity, and compassion, where ideas flourish, and teams thrive.

Sparkle Tip ?

One of the most powerful ways to remember our sparkle is to have a physical item that you can keep close to you. What is one item— a trinket, photo, piece of clothing etc.— that is a representation of your sparkle? Find that item and bring it with you to work this week to keep as a reminder. See what a difference it makes.

Some examples:

• My best friend Jess Bubbico has these gorgeous red cowboy boots that remind her of her sparkle. She doesn't wear them every single day, but she keeps them out in her room so she can be reminded every morning when she wakes up.
• My new sparkly friend Romi Wallach saw me speak the other day and came up to me afterward and said, "This is my sparkle!" flashing her OG Nike kicks at me.
• For myself, my sparkle is literal sparkle, so I wear my sparkly shoes (pictured below) at every single one of my speaking engagements to help me show up on stage from a place of full authenticity. It makes a huge difference and has a powerful impact on my audience. I also have a ridonkoulous amount of sparkly things and disco balls in my house as my reminders. I basically created a sparkle shrine at this point. ??

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If anything here sparked something within you, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Your reflections always inspire more content in me. Have a Sparkly Sunday! ??