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APRIL 12, 2024 | Volume I, Issue 14

Dear Inspirational Leaders!

Do you find yourself navigating a challenging season with grace and resilience by pushing through allergies this season? I do! My nose has been running like a firehose, and between sneezes and nose wipes, it dawned on me — a few leadership lessons I might share with my community...let's get to it 3-2-1

1. Adaptability & Resilience: Allergies are a perfect metaphor for the unexpected challenges that can suddenly emerge in both our personal lives and professional landscapes. Just as you've learned to adjust your routine and seek remedies for your allergies, effective leaders must be adaptable, finding ways to overcome new challenges. This lesson reinforces the importance of resilience—a quality you're well-acquainted with. It's about adjusting the sails when the wind changes direction, not just for oneself but also in guiding a team through unforeseen changes.

2. Empathy & Understanding: Experiencing allergies for the first time can deepen your empathy towards others facing similar or different health challenges. It's a reminder that everyone has their own battles, some visible and some not. As a leader, showing genuine understanding and accommodating team members' needs can foster a more inclusive and supportive work environment. Your own experience allows you to relate on a more personal level, demonstrating that leadership isn't just about direction and decisions; it's about human connection and empathy.

3. The Power of Vulnerability: As someone who’s always pushing through, admitting that you’re facing a tough time due to allergies shows vulnerability, which is a strength in leadership. It breaks down the illusion of invincibility, making you more relatable. Sharing your struggles and how you're managing them can inspire others to speak up about their challenges, creating a culture of openness and mutual support. It's a lesson in the strength found in vulnerability—the courage to be seen in moments of discomfort and the power it has to connect and empower others.

Two connections for this week

Amanda Gorman, ranking at #27, is not just a poet but a beacon of hope and transformation. Her rise to global recognition was marked by her powerful performance at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, where her poem "The Hill We Climb" captured the world's attention. 

Amanda’s work extends beyond poetry into the realms of environmental advocacy, racial equality, and gender justice, making her a multifaceted leader of change. As the U.S.'s first National Youth Poet Laureate and founder of the One Pen One Page nonprofit, she empowers the youth to lead with creativity and conviction. Her best-selling book, "Call Us What We Carry," continues to inspire and challenge societal norms. 

Amanda's journey from a young, talented poet to a globally recognized activist and speaker showcases the power of words to inspire action and change. Her commitment to using her voice for the betterment of society resonates deeply with the transformative model you champion.

Following Nick Vujicic #29 of 50 on the Real Leaders Global Impact Leadership Speakers offers an unparalleled glimpse into the essence of human resilience and the power of a positive mindset. 

Born with tetra-amelia syndrome, Nick's life journey exemplifies how overcoming insurmountable obstacles is possible through hope, perseverance, self- acceptance, and finding one’s purpose. As the founder and CEO of Life Without Limbs and the creator of the “Attitude is Altitude” Social Emotional Learning Curriculum, he doesn’t just talk about these principles; he embodies them. His story is a testament to the idea that limitations are only as confining as we allow them to be. 

Whether through his top-selling book, "Life Without Limits," or his motivational podcast, Nick’s teachings provide actionable insights into realizing one’s potential against all odds, making him an essential figure for anyone looking to inspire change in their life and the lives of others.

  

One action step for next week 

Implement a "Resilience Reflection" Session

Objective: To foster a culture of resilience, empathy, and openness within your team or organization. 

How to Execute: Schedule a 30-minute "Resilience Reflection" meeting with your team for the upcoming week. Ensure this is a dedicated time without distractions, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue. 

Prepare by reflecting on your own journey of resilience, considering the challenges you’ve faced, both personally and professionally. Think about how adaptability, empathy, and vulnerability played a role in overcoming these challenges. 

During the meeting, share your reflections first to set a tone of openness and vulnerability. Highlight specific moments where adaptability led to unexpected solutions, how empathy for others’ situations strengthened team bonds, and moments of vulnerability that led to mutual support and understanding. 

Invite team members to share their own experiences with challenges, resilience, and growth. Encourage them to reflect on how these experiences have shaped their approach to work and life. 

Discuss actionable ways to incorporate these lessons into daily operations, decision-making processes, and interpersonal relationships within the team. 

Conclude with a commitment to support each other in developing these qualities further, fostering an environment where adaptability, empathy, and vulnerability are viewed as strengths.

#HappyGlobalMeetingsIndustryDay - Check out my LinkedIn post here

The Podcast

🎧 Did you catch the latest episode on "Performance Shift"?! It was epic! 

Make sure you're all signed up to join the fun with me and Kat Koppett, organizational psychologist, improviser and theater owner as we share our experiences, insights and tools for navigating change.

I hope you enjoyed this Friday’s Newsletter. 

Go forth and inspire your world,

John