The Leadership In Focus: Weekend High-Five - January 11, 2025
As many of us wrapped up our first full week back at work, it’s clear that this year is starting with a mix of excitement and exhaustion. The holidays left us energized by the possibilities ahead in 2025, yet the active season also took its toll—leaving us feeling a bit drained. Maybe unexpected surprises have already started stacking up on your plate, or perhaps you’ve found yourself juggling a bit more than you anticipated this early in the year.
No matter where you are, we made it to the weekend, and that alone is worth a high-five. Take a moment to acknowledge the hustle, the transition, and the resilience it takes to keep pushing forward.
This week’s Leadership In Focus Weekend High-Five is about celebrating how far we’ve come, while embracing the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. You deserve a moment to reflect, recharge, and keep charging toward what’s next. Let’s keep moving forward with purpose and energy as we head into 2025!
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Quote of the Week:
"Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die." – Buddha
Takeaway: Holding onto any unresolved feelings to others not only harms your well-being but also keeps you stuck in the past. Real growth comes when you release those negative emotions and free yourself from the weight they carry.
Action Item: Identify one situation or person you're holding something toward and take a step toward forgiveness. This could mean letting go internally, having a difficult conversation, or seeking closure. Commit to releasing that burden to move forward with a clearer mindset.
Interesting Read: “Author Talks: The magic of unmuting yourself” McKinsey Interview with Author Elaine Lin Hering
Summary:
In her book Unlearning Silence, Elaine Lin Hering explores how silence becomes a learned behavior in the workplace, often preventing us from speaking up and engaging in meaningful conversations. She discusses how this silence disproportionately affects those with subordinated identities and how leaders can create environments that foster open communication. By acknowledging and unlearning the silence we’ve internalized, we can reclaim our voice, build confidence, and make a more impactful contribution in our careers.
Takeaway:
Unlearning silence isn't about just speaking up for the sake of it, but about recognizing the power of your voice and how it can shape your environment. Leaders must create a space where diverse voices can be heard and valued, leading to better collaboration and decision-making.
Action Item:
Take a moment to reflect on where you’ve been silent in your career and why. This week, challenge yourself to speak up in a low-risk environment—whether that’s sharing a thought in a meeting, offering feedback to a colleague, or voicing an idea you've been holding back. Notice how it feels and what impact it has, then commit to making it a regular practice.
As we continue on this leadership growth journey together, here are the 5 big ideas we discussed this week at Leadership In Focus:
Monday, Jan 6: Lessons from Giraffes—Stand Tall in 2025 🦒
Leadership requires standing out and embracing your unique voice. Just like giraffes who adapt and communicate in their own way, we must embrace our authenticity, communicate effectively, and focus on our individual journeys rather than comparing ourselves to others.
Tuesday, Jan 7: Putting the Customer First—Speak Up for What's Right 🔊
Leaders must always keep the customer at the center of every decision. When a senior leader pushes for a personal agenda that doesn’t align with customer needs, speaking up with honesty is crucial to ensure brand integrity.
Wednesday, Jan 8: The Power of One Word—Shaping Your Year 🌱
Choose a word that represents growth and transformation for you this year. Words shape our actions and mindset. By embracing a word that challenges and inspires, you can guide yourself through intentional growth in 2025.
Thursday, Jan 9: The Power of Forgiveness—Let Go to Move Forward ✨
Forgiveness is about freeing yourself from the weight of past hurts. It’s not about forgetting but about releasing negative emotions that hold you back, allowing space for personal growth, healing, and forward movement in your leadership journey.
Friday, Jan 10: Leadership Compartmentalism—Navigating Emotional Shifts 🎾
Leadership requires emotional agility. Whether delivering tough news or inspiring your team, recognizing when to shift your energy and authenticity is key. Balancing emotions while staying true to your role ensures you can navigate challenges with integrity.
Closing Thought:
This week’s posts were about embracing authenticity, speaking up, forgiving to grow, and managing emotional transitions in leadership. How will you choose to stand tall, speak up, and embrace the shifts that come with leadership in 2025?
From Sunday, January 5, 2025: Showing Up When You’re Sick—Hero or Self-Destruction?
This past Sunday’s comic tackled the all-too-familiar corporate scenario where showing up for work while sick is seen as dedication—but in reality, it’s self-destruction. When you’re tired and on the brink of burnout, your body is telling you something. Yet, too often, we push through, not wanting to let others down, only to risk spreading illness and delaying our recovery. The key takeaway: leaders must recognize the importance of self-care and lead by example, showing their teams that resting and recharging is essential for long-term success.
Takeaway:
Leadership isn’t about being a hero at the expense of your health. It’s about recognizing when to step back, listen to your body, and encourage your team to prioritize self-care as part of a sustainable, high-performance culture.
Action Item:
This week, reflect on the times when you’ve pushed through illness or exhaustion at work. If you’re feeling unwell, take the necessary steps to rest and recover. Set the example for your team by prioritizing well-being and reminding them that taking care of themselves is essential for future success.
Celebrate Leadership with a Laugh!
Looking for the perfect way to mark life’s milestones? Our Leadership In Focus, Not So Funny, Funnies greeting cards bring humor and heart to every occasion. From workplace wins to new beginnings, these cards blend relatable scenarios with messages that inspire and delight.
👉 Add a touch of wit to your well-wishes. SHOP THE COLLECTION NOW
