Leadership Learnings from building Lead from Within in 2022

Yay - we've made it to the end of a pretty adventurous, successful, and at the same time, difficult and exhausting year.

I've been through my own moments of stress, self-doubt, and feelings of embarrassment. 

You know, the kind of thing I help other leaders with in confidence, yet I have plenty of moments where those struggles are real for me!

Does admitting I have weaknesses make me worry that others may think less of me? No. But it used to.

There's a quote by Philosopher Alain de Bolton which resonates with me. He says

"Anyone who isn't embarrassed by who they were last year probably isn't learning enough" 

So I thought I'd share learnings that I've uncovered another layer on. Some of these have come as insights from past mistakes or reminders after embarrassing myself:

1. No one or no situation is responsible for your emotions and reactions other than you. Not the pandemic, your clients, your coach, or your partner. Simply and truly you. 

2. The value of Listening, Awareness, lack of Judgement, Intuition, Acceptance and Empathy are still some of the most underrated and underestimated skills in companies. 

3. Self Acceptance isn't about getting rid of anything bad, it's about learning to integrate the bad and the ugly with all things good.

4. No one on this planet is absent of fear, doubt, and lack of confidence about something so you may as well make a constant effort to accept and love yourself.

5. Money, status, and titles have nothing to do with the true depth and value of a person.

6. I can always be a little bit more accurate and intentional about creating what I really want because I'm always creating something.

7. Thinking you know something is the enemy of learning.

8. Not knowing is the place from which new ideas come. 

9. Shared values, trust, and compassion bridge differences in understanding build relationships, and grow thriving companies.

10. You only ever compete against yourself, so take ownership.

11. If you can't believe in yourself first, you'll find it harder to believe in anyone else.

12. I can create better habits and rituals for myself when I feel I deserve to.

13. Our minds and body are more capable than we can understand.

14. Sometimes all you need to have a great day is be grateful for all the things you do have and just breathe.

15. For others to be vulnerable and trust you, you need to be vulnerable and trust them first.

16. Everyone can struggle to see past their labels, bias's and blind spots.

17. Growth happens when you learn from people who are way smarter than you. But only if you take action.

18. You will be judged no matter what so you may as well do it scared.

19. Helping others without expectation and judgment can bring joy and help us heal.

20. Nothing is possible without support from others so choose your tribe wisely. 

A big thank you to my colleague Fiona Forster who has helped me take Lead from Within to the next level of our journey this year, to all of our clients and partners, my husband, my coach, my mentor, and friends. Many of whom I've embarrassed myself in front of and learned from in 2022. 

Thank you also to everyone who has read our newsletter.

Always learning and serving with love,

Reema