The Power of Stories

For years, leadership development has obsessed over self‑esteem—confidence, boldness, decisiveness, the classic “strong leader” profile. In my coaching room, many of the senior women leaders I coach present confidence and executive presence as areas of focus for their coaching programmes.

As the world has changed, complexity has increased and the psychological demands of leadership have changed with it.

As 2022 draws to a close in this last blog post of the year I offer appreciations, review the content shared this year and invite you to do a Past Year Review instead of New Year’s resolutions.

In the face of pain, grief and many challenges, finding what inspires us can be challenging. It is worthwhile though, as connecting with our own inspiration has the power to breath life into us and shift us beyond our immediate concerns and challenges to discover something fresh, creative and energetic. In a word, it can help us be more resilient.

Today, I share a more personal story of loss and grief in the hope that it will touch your heart, spark a thought, create a possibility or simply connects us all in our collective grief and loss during this season in our world wherever you find yourself.

This past week, I asked a few of my long-standing clients what is the most valuable outcome of our coaching work together. One thing stood out – discovering blind spots. So, why is this so important to senior leaders? It seems at some level we know what research tells us: we are not great at assessing ourselves accurately. These self-awareness gaps can limit leaders’ opportunities, impede their performance, and ultimately drag down their career.

Leaders and executives are being called on to rethink what they prioritise and how they lead so as to embrace more sensitised and empathetic styles of leadership appropriate to our context. However, empathy is not so easy to access when you too are subject to your own personal stresses and strains on top of the pressures on you as a leader amidst the uncertainty and turbulence. I share 3 tips to help you cultivate your leadership style appropriate for now.

In today’s context where many people are experiencing high levels of stress and report feeling overwhelmed, genuine recognition and acknowledgement can sow seeds of motivation and inspiration. If you are like other leaders, chances are you may think you are above average at giving recognition. However research shows there is a definite “perception gap” between leaders’ views of their competence in this area versus and their employees’ assessments. If you think this is a blindspot for you read on.

We are well through the transition to the new year and marching ahead to March. Since this is no ordinary year or ordinary time, many of us may be wondering in this context whether to let go of any goals. In the face of exhaustion, more goals can just feel overwhelming.

Are you doubling down on goals and intentions or are you easing off and taking a different view of what is important? Are you playing into your action strength or are you appreciating that perhaps something different may be called for?

The pressures of last year have taken their toll on all of us, and sadly things have begun for many with physical and mental exhaustion and grief from the loss of loved ones, friends and colleagues as well as the pressure to remain strong and resilient for the people we lead and support. Today, I thought I would share some of the practical strategies that leaders I coach are finding useful:

Most people would agree that communicating powerfully is a key capability of effective leaders. This becomes increasingly important as your leadership responsibilities grow in size and impact. When it’s about improving public speaking, conveying your message to the media, speaking up in meetings or listening better, leaders are quick to recognise these as communication issues.

I presented at the Business Woman’s association last week and asked an open ended question about the image the word career evoked in people’s minds. I was surprised to hear that it left some with a sinking and uncomfortable feeling.

Seasonally in my neck of the woods (Cape Town, South Africa) January, February and March are a great time of celebration of the grape harvest where so much time and energy is invested the reaping activities. This had me thinking, especially since I have had an uncomfortable feeling about my writing and blogging. 

Before I finish up for the holidays, I find myself inevitably thinking about the year ahead.  I am no fan of New Year's resolutions for many of the obvious reasons, and so was excited when I found Paul Graham's  "Top of my ToDo List". Starting the New Year with these 5 commands at the top of my To Do list daily, I am already excited! Maybe this idea inspires you too.  

As spring makes way for summer here in the Southern Hemisphere, I am reminded of the vigour and energy manifest in nature.  I am also so conscious of how the final quarter of the year gathers pace, and how much I want to arrive at the holiday period with energy intact and filled with joy.  Here are 6 steps to release fresh energy in the final stretch to year end.

Jake discovered his love for maths at school. He also discovered his love for people, connection, his culture and helping others. Ambitious from young, he was never constrained by circumstances or limited in what he thought possible for his life and career.

When Jane, a senior leader in a multinational consulting company, started coaching, there were never enough hours in the day. Weeks saw her accomplishing a to-do list of impressive magnitude and the weekends engaging fully as mother, daughter, partner and friends. Only problem was how long this could go on…