Influencer in the Making:
Influence is due to relationships
and doing the right thing always. For me building influence was about being
there for my teams and peers. As you show how you operate, for the good of the
team or organization, your influence grows. For me, constantly evolving means
continuous learning and building knowledge to share when appropriate with
clients and colleagues. Our ability to influence, expand our businesses and
ourselves has to do with what we can share through knowledge.
Beyond Barriers:
My best learning happened when I
“failed” … failing isn’t so much failing but learning to try it differently
again. How we get back up, shake off the defeat and try again is what truly matters.
I started my coaching practice due to my role being eliminated. I could’ve seen
this as failure; however I flipped the script and saw the opportunity to do
what I love and help people be their best.
Leadership and Learning:
Yes, leaders have had to evolve from
direct/tell to ask/collaborate. Leaders can no longer lead with directive,
authoritarian and militant tactics. Great leaders know leadership is about
people, working together towards a common outcome as well as having both
emotional intelligence and intellectual intelligence to tackle strategies,
tactics and problems.
Guidance from my Mentor:
I have been fortunate to have wonderful
mentors throughout my career who took me under their wings, shared how they had
succeeded and failed and had my back. There are too many to name, however
Scott, Kim and Nate really have a place in my heart. Our ability to find
mentors, ask for their mentorship and be a mentor matters. Mentors have a huge
influence in our careers and development. I believe we always have leaders and
individuals we look up to and want as mentors and there are people looking up
to us and want our mentorship. I believe we have to receive and give mentoring.
Advice for the next-gen Leaders:
Ask questions, network, have 2 or
more mentors and be open to new ideas. Our leadership will evolve and change as
our career advances. Be open to ‘rethinking’ what you know and have the courage
to be uncomfortable as you try new leadership skills
