The Leadership In Focus: Weekend High Five - October 19th, 2024
This past week has been one of reflection and growth for me. I’ve been fortunate to spend a lot of time with family, and those moments have reminded me of how grounding it is to be surrounded by the people who know you best. At the same time, I’ve also had the opportunity to meet some new faces—people who’ve sparked my creativity and helped me see things from fresh perspectives. It’s been an inspiring mix of old connections and new ideas.
On top of that, I feel truly blessed to have a few challenges in front of me. While challenges might not always feel like a gift in the moment, they push us to grow and find different ways to approach things. Whether the challenge is personal or professional, big or small, it’s an opportunity to try something new and learn along the way.
So, as you head into the weekend, I encourage you to embrace whatever challenges are in your path—good or bad. They’re a great chance to stretch yourself and grow.
Here’s to navigating the ups and downs with gratitude and creativity! Welcome to this week’s Leadership In Focus: Weekend High Five!
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Quote of the Week: “A Strong culture isn’t built in the boardroom. It’s built in the every day moments that shape how people feel, think, and act.” - Tom Wanek
Takeaway: A thriving company culture is not shaped by top-down mandates or slogans, but by the everyday interactions that build trust and a sense of belonging. Leaders who focus on listening, empowering their teams, and fostering genuine connections are the ones who cultivate a strong, sustainable culture.
Action Item: This week, pay attention to the small moments in your day-to-day interactions. Make a conscious effort to build trust through transparency and empower someone on your team by valuing their input. Focus on creating one new connection or reinforcing an existing one to strengthen your culture from the ground up.
Interesting read: “How to refine your leadership abilities to become the boss your people actually need” - by Gloria St. Martin-Lowry
The article by Gloria St. Martin-Lowry highlights the growing need for leaders to adapt to the changing workforce by fostering empathy, emotional intelligence, and genuine connection with their teams. It emphasizes that strong company culture isn’t built through boardroom decisions or slogans but through everyday actions and trust-building. Leaders who prioritize understanding and supporting their employees' needs, values, and personal lives create a more motivated, engaged, and productive workforce. Ultimately, compassionate leadership drives long-term success for both individuals and the organization.
Key takeaway: Empathy, curiosity, and personal connection are essential leadership traits that cultivate a strong, people-centered workplace culture.
Action item: This week, focus on building trust with your team by holding one-on-one meetings that prioritize listening and personal support, allowing them to express their needs and ideas freely.
As we continue on this leadership growth journey together, here are the 5 big ideas we discussed this week at Leadership In Focus:
Monday, Oct 14th: Is This the Leadership Life We Signed Up For? 🚩
We often glamorize the grind—busy calendars, missed family events, and burnout disguised as success. But is this really what we want? This post dove deep into the reality of executive life and the toll it can take. P.S. How many of these boxes are you ticking?
Tuesday, Oct 15th: “Sorry” is a Power Move 💥
Apologizing isn’t about weakness—it’s about owning your actions and building trust. The most confident leaders know when to say sorry to move forward. P.S. What’s one thing you’ve been avoiding apologizing for?
Wednesday, Oct 16th: ⚡ The #1 Thing I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Manager
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself before stepping into leadership? I shared 11 tips I wish I knew, to help future leaders avoid the mistakes I made. P.S. What’s your advice for new managers?
Thursday, Oct 17th: 💥 Time to Quit Your Job... or Is It?
Dream big or stay put? We debated whether chasing dreams means quitting or finding your ‘why’ where you are. P.S. Are you dreaming about leaving, or can you level up right where you are?
Friday, Oct 18th: Why This Is the Most Powerful Post on LinkedIn Right Now...
With 8 seconds to make an impact, storytelling is key to leadership influence. Stats fade, but stories stick. Master the art of storytelling and watch your leadership soar. P.S. What’s one story that got your team’s attention?
Closing Thought: This week, we focused on redefining success, owning our actions, and the power of storytelling. As we wrap up the week, ask yourself: Are you ticking the right boxes, or is it time for a shift in your leadership style?
From Sunday, October 13, 2024: Does Your Company Have a Pen and Paper Utilization Policy? 📝
In last Sunday’s Leadership In Focus, Not So Funny, Funnies, we explored the absurdity of extreme micromanagement—specifically, policies dictating how employees use something as trivial as paper. Inspired by a real-life example from 3G Capital’s takeover of Heinz, we looked at how their cost-cutting measures went as far as mandating how employees should print on both sides of paper to save money.
But here’s the kicker: Micromanaging the smallest details doesn’t just stifle creativity—it kills morale.
The result?
🔸 Teams lose confidence and begin second-guessing themselves.
🔸 Engagement drops, frustration builds, and important work takes a back seat.
If you’re focused on the trivial, you’re missing the big picture. Real leadership is about trusting your team, not policing the little things.
Tools & Resources of the Week: Leadership In Focus, Not So Funny, Funnies Greeting Cards
We’ve launched our Leadership In Focus, Not So Funny Funnies greeting cards! Celebrate new beginnings with a touch of humor. Each card from this collection playfully blends everyday workplace scenarios with a personalized message of encouragement. It’s the perfect way to mark significant life events with a mix of wit and heartfelt sentiment.
