How to Turn a Disappointment into a Breakthrough Opportunity
Many times I give the coaching advice, âItâs not about being perfect, itâs about how you respond to adversity and setbacksâ.Â
Recently, I had a unique opportunity to follow my own advice.
I've just wrapped up a whirlwind 5-week trip to the East Coast speaking, seeing East Coast clients, cycling through Maine with family, with a finale being a dream come true: speaking at the United Nations. But as we all know, life has a funny way of throwing curveballs. Due to (understandable) heightened security, the venue changed last minute to NASDAQ. But here's the kicker: I learned some invaluable lessons that I can't wait to share with you.
Give Yourself Permission to Be Disappointed
Let's be real: disappointment stings. I had visualized myself at the UN, sharing my insights and experiences with a room full of global change-makers. When that vision crumbled, I felt a sense of loss. But here's the empowering part: it's absolutely okay to feel disappointed. Suppressing those feelings only le...
From Dream to UN Podium: The Power of Persistence and Vision
Sometimes our gut and our heart speak to us and guide us towards something important that weâd like to accomplish.
Just a few years ago, 2019 to be exact, speaking at the United Nations was a far-fetched dream. I thought that if I could speak on behalf of Sustainable Development Goal #5, Gender Equality, Iâd somehow be able to empower even more women to have a bigger voice and impact. Â
There were all sorts of reasons why this dream made NO sense, why it was unlikely at best and why it was NOT likely to happen. But dreams have a funny way of becoming reality when you're committed to doing what it takes for âwhatâs nextâ. Let's dive into how the journey unfolded and the actionable lessons you can apply to your own path.
Visualize Your Goals
In 2019, I set a goal in my speaking mastermind with Bo Eason. I wanted to contribute to Sustainable Development Goal #5: equality for women and girls. So, I drew a pictureâhusband, client, kids, audience, stage. It wasn't a masterpiece, but it ...
When the Mic Went Silent: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities
Have you ever prepared impeccably for a big moment, and then something out of your control goes horribly wrong?
Just a few weeks ago, I had the honor of being a Mega Session speaker at the 2023 CREW Network (women in construction) Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. The room of 500 was packed, super engaged audience. Amazing!
But what happened next was nothing short of terrifying AND magical. The audio, crucial for the interactive finale of my talk, failed. The A/V team came up, but could not fix it. 
Should I start singing Alicia Keys, âThis Girl is On Fireâ. Bad idea, considering my vocal ability. I decided to do the finale, an interactive visualization activity, without music. Not ideal, but the show must go on.Â
Then, an attendee in the session came to the stage and handed me her phone, and said, âHOLD THIS TO YOUR MIC!â. She had pulled up âThis Girl is On Fireâ on Spotify.
Everyone clapped and stood up as I led them through the visualization finale with a phone held to my lavali...
Podcast Episode #117: "Delivering Tough Feedback Effectively Across Organizations" - an Interview with Brenda Hudson
Delivering Tough Feedback Effectively Across Organizations
In case you missed my LIVE interview with the phenomenal Brenda Hudson (Senior Vice President Commercial Sales, Sales Enablement, Learning and Development at Insight), here are a few of the wisdom gems she shared: Â
- Tuck away all the behaviors youâve experienced that will not exhibit.
- Have grace, honesty, clarity, and compassion.
- Be sure to share âwhyâ youâre sharing the feedback you are.
- Exhibit gratitude for the recipient of the conversation.
- An inability to build trust will restrict your elevation in your career and in life.
- Listen, be authentic, and align your actions with your words to build that trust.
- Donât be afraid to speak up and go against the grain when itâs a win/win/win for the other person, you, and your company.
To be notified for future interviews be sure to connect with me here on LinkedIn AND to learn more about how to build the mindset and influence for real change, join our community at www.she...
Feeling Uncertain About What's Next? 4 Simple Strategies ...
"Itâs the Nature of Babies to Be in Bliss.â
-Â Deepak Chopra
Life was pretty simple as a baby. We did not have expectations, responsibilities, comparisons, or judgments placed upon by ourselves or by others, and it was our nature to be curious, have our basic needs met, and follow our bliss or what made us happy. We didnât overthink, worry about what others think, or get stuck because of some past trauma (that we were possibly unaware of.)
Somewhere along the line, we were influenced by our parents, friends, siblings, society, media, colleagues, partners etc. So, when weâre feeling uncomfortable or like itâs time to shift, it can be challenging to truly determine with utmost clarity and confidence whatâs next or when to pull the trigger.
Whether youâre an executive thinking about leaving your corporate career, or you are a twenty-something about to wrap up college and trying to figure out whatâs next like my amazing daughter Megan, or somewhere in between, maybe itâs time to channel o...
Building The Mindset To Thrive In The New Normal
As we navigate through these turbulent times, it's crucial to arm ourselves with the right mindset and strategies to not just survive, but thrive. The economic landscape has shifted dramaticallyâworkforce reductions, soaring prices, and market volatility are just the tip of the iceberg. But guess what? The challenges we face today make the insights I shared in my Forbes article even more relevant and urgently needed.
Why am I revisiting this article now? Because the core principles of resilience, adaptability, and leadership are timeless. They are the bedrock on which we can build sustainable success, no matter the external circumstances. And let's face it, the 'new normal' is an ever-evolving concept that requires us to be on our toes, ready to adapt and pivot at a moment's notice.
So, if you're feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders, or if you're pondering how to lead effectively in this climate, I invite you to have a look into this piece. It's packed with actionable in...
Taking the Leap from Leader to Advisor
Heidi Melin, a Strategic Marketing Leader, Board Director, and Go-To-Market Advisor, has navigated the complexities of the business world with unparalleled finesse. Her career has evolved from operational roles to advisory capacities, making her a go-to expert for those contemplating a similar transition.
This interview is a goldmine of practical advice and actionable insights. If you're an executive mulling over your next career move or an up-and-coming leader looking to expand your skill set, Heidi's experience offers a roadmap worth following. Don't miss the opportunity to glean wisdom from a leader who's been there, done that, and continues to redefine success.
Â
TIMESTAMP:
- 2:54 - Be Open to Unexpected OpportunitiesÂ
- 8:15 - Explore Unconventional Paths
- 12:44 - Deep Connections Open DoorsÂ
- 14:49 - Self-Assessment Guides Career Choices
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
Be Open to Unexpected OpportunitiesÂ
Being receptive to opportunities that come from unexpected places can lead to fulf...
The Surprising Power of Constructive Criticism and Partnerships
Many times, to have an even greater impact in our roles, we need to partner with others, especially with our leadership. Having a bigger voice and gaining buy-in from your leadership, especially when there are many competing interests can be tough.
Today, I want to share an exciting sneak peek in my journeyâone that shares the transformative power of collaboration and partnerships. It's a story about how I came to join forces with Rali, a remarkable software company that shares my passion for fostering positive change. Through this experience, I have learned the profound importance of collaboration and the potential they hold to unlock limitless possibilities. Join me as I recount the steps that led me to this decision which just may help you as well!
But first, I wanted to share that the Fearless Female Leadership journey was initiated because of some not so easy to swallow constructive criticism. So, the next time you receive constructive criticism (from someone who has your best i...
Bring the Best Out of Your Team
Aleta Jeffress, Senior Vice President at CGI, is a seasoned professional with a diverse array of experiences who embodies the principles of continual learning, discipline, and the power of a positive mindset. From her emphasis on the importance of professional growth to her insights into building and nurturing successful teams, Aleta's journey stands as an amazing example for those aiming to succeed in our new work climate.
In this insightful interview, Aleta dives deep, offering a fresh perspective on leadership, mindset shifts, and the art of team-building. As you listen, you'll find Aleta's wisdom not just enlightening but also a compelling call to action.
TIMESTAMP:
[7:40] Continual learning and professional growth
[11:43] The importance of discipline and consistency
[12:41] Shifting from a lack mindset to an abundance mindset
[16:04] Building and nurturing a successful team
[24:20] Focusing on your wins
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Continual Learning and Professional Growth: It's crucial to ...
The Power of Clarity: Taking Control of Your Year End Triumphs
As we move forward in this dynamic year, full of twists, turns, opportunities, and challenges, it's not uncommon to find ourselves in the thick of things. We're so often swept into the whirlwind of our immediate tasks and short-term goals that we might lose sight of our broader objectives.
As the year feels like itâs zipping by, you can slow time and take back control to create the triumphs youâd like to see AND how youâd like to feel.
This is the moment to get crystal clear on how you want to wrap up the year, how you want your leadership story to unfold, and what milestones you want to achieve.
Thereâs a powerful and proven tool that can help you take back control of the remaining weeks in the year and reach your desired destination: Clarity.
Here are 3 key insights from my new enterprise digital journey, Fearless Female Leadership which will be released later in the year. Clarity is where your journey starts, and these should help you to plan a successful year-end and beyond.
I...
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