There’s a saying that knowledge is power. But there are some truths so profound, once you uncover them, they don’t just empower you—they transform you. Throughout my leadership journey, I’ve stumbled upon a series of revelations that have gifted me not just with clarity but with a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me.
1. The Bridge of Transparency
I was under the illusion that keeping my cards close to my chest was a strength. But in reality, being open and honest with my community fostered trust and built stronger relationships. It created a mutual understanding that’s difficult to replicate with guardedness.
2. Embracing Authenticity with a Twist
While authenticity is touted as vital, I never realized the magic it could create, especially when sprinkled with a theme or humor. This special mix not only amplified leadership messaging but also forged deeper connections. I began to change up my messaging and put little themes or throw humor into the mix. I found that I started to enjoy being in front of a crowd again because it felt more like me. I found the words and ideas that I wanted to relay, came easier to me because I wasn’t staring at a powerpoint trying to read the words from afar. The best part? I started to see people taking more interest and action because I was being myself and leading from the heart.
3. Storytelling: The Heart’s PowerPoint
Ditching the slides for stories was a game-changer. Instead of feeding information, inviting my community to extract lessons from tales created an engaging and collaborative environment, instilling commitment to the shared message. I learned that giving a story a nickname immediately gave that story a vision and a lesson attached to it. This became a mantra to setting expectations and gaining more understanding for the community I lead. For example, in my leadership I wanted to teach them the power of learning alongside each other by team teaching with each other to build collective efficacy. I told the story of how my principal did that to me and I walked them through how I felt and how it impacted me. I called the story I told, More Than Words. Now when we talk about the power of mentorship, all we have to say is More Than Words and they know the expectation because it is attached to a vision story rather than a vision statement.
4. Life’s Ebb and Flow
The pursuit of balance was a myth I chased. What I discovered was a rhythm of life—seasons of varying intensities. Accepting this natural flow made me embrace each phase with grace.
5. The Art of Vulnerable Modeling
Whether as a mother or a leader, showcasing my struggles, rather than concealing them, had an unforeseen benefit. It taught others the value of resilience and the beauty of human imperfection. The power of wondering out loud while people observe you is incredible. Sometimes all it takes is visibility. Let them see you in their space, working and doing alongside them.
6. The Unseen Power of Persistence
Daily commitment to my deepest desires, even when it seemed futile, eventually bore fruit. It was a testament to the age-old adage—patience pays off. I am a big fan of Kobe Bryant. He often talked about “Mamba Mentality,” which encapsulates his approach to the game and, by extension, to life itself. It represents an intense focus, relentless work ethic, and a continuous quest for improvement and excellence. Kobe Bryant was known for his fierce competitiveness and his unwillingness to settle for anything less than his very best. I learned that patience and persistence is key. Having a “Mamba Mentality” means approaching challenges with tenacity, constantly pushing oneself to improve, not being afraid to fail, and having an unyielding belief in one’s abilities to achieve their goals. It’s about being the best version of yourself, both in your profession and in your personal life, by putting in the hard work and dedication required to excel. In broader terms, it has come to symbolize excellence, resilience, and determination in any field, not just basketball. It’s a mindset that encourages continuous growth and an undying spirit of competition, even if the only competitor is yourself.
7. The Food-Energy Nexus
I was taken aback by how deeply what I consumed affected my being. Understanding the correlation between food, energy, mood, and well-being opened doors to optimizing my health and mind. I mean, I knew that I was supposed to eat healthy foods but I just didn’t know how true this really was. I recently did a gut health protocol to fix some issues I was having with my skin and gut. My plan was to try to get through the plan and then go back to what I always did. But what I didn’t know, was how good it would make me feel. I just didn’t know everything became crystal clear and how it would affect everything I do. I didn’t know how food was inflaming my entire being. I plan to never go back to my old ways of nutrition. This feels way too good!
8. Aligning with Core Values
The act of deciphering my core values and purpose, and subsequently aligning my actions with them, brought forth the clarity and progress I had longed for. It was a compass that consistently guided me toward meaningful growth. I knew which boundaries to set because if it didn’t get me closer to my core value and goal then it wasn’t worth doing. If it did, then I was going to blow that boundary and excuse to avoid out of the water and get it done. It was such a simple concept and it wasn’t until I sat down and wrote out my core values that I started to find the clarity that I had always been searching for. So for me, I got a little wordy with my ideas and I am trying to wittle my core values down to be more succinct but here are my three:
Legacy of Fulfillment: Committing to exemplify for my girls the essence of joy and contentment by embracing a healthy lifestyle, pushing boundaries with diligence, channeling the unwavering determination of the Mamba mindset, and always holding family as our anchor and heart.
Empowered Mentorship: Championing leadership through a foundation of academic and career caring, nurturing genuine relationships, and setting high expectations, all while providing unwavering support to guide individuals to their fullest potential.
Nutritional Mindfulness: Prioritizing the intake of unprocessed, natural foods to nurture the body, enhance gut health, and ensure mental clarity.
I know…a lot of words…but they are my words and they mean everything to me. These three core values are what sets up every day, why I do the things I do, how I make decisions, the boundaries I set, and the message I want to deliver to myself and my community. Game changer.
9. Relationship-Building: Beyond the Surface
Relationships aren’t just about harmony. By setting goals, crafting visions, and holding high expectations, I found that pushing individuals toward their potential was the sincerest form of belief in them. It was the catalyst that reignited their passion and purpose.
In essence, these revelations weren’t just epiphanies; they were pivotal moments of transformation. They reshaped my perceptions, actions, and interactions. And in this journey of discovery, I found not just clarity but also a deeper purpose and a richer life. Be relentless with your expectations and support them every step of the way and watch the relationship grow. It simply shows that you trust and believe in them.
10. The Lifeline of Skill Upgradation
Often, we find ourselves adrift in a vast ocean of possibilities, wondering where our true passion lies. For me, the compass that steered my ship towards the shores of purpose was the strategy of continuously upgrading my skills. Delving deeper into learning, attending workshops, participating in courses, and seeking mentorship not only refined my abilities but also illuminated pathways I had previously overlooked. As I honed my skills, the fuzzy outlines of my passion became clearer, more distinct. And in this journey of skill enhancement, I didn’t just become better at what I did; I found a renewed sense of direction, a burning passion, and a profound purpose that had eluded me for so long. This continuous learning and evolution not only enriched my professional trajectory but also deeply satisfied my intrinsic need for growth and progress.
11. Dynamic Learning in Play: I am a hockey player and I just didn’t realized how my hockey career related to my leadership and motherhood. It wasn’t until I became a leader for a couple of years ,that I understood that I needed to teach my community in game time motion rather than just telling them at a meeting. The best coaches I ever had were the ones who talked to me after every shift and made me implement the feedback on the next shift, right inside the game. That was when I made mistakes, took risks, responded under pressure, and found success. It wasn’t on a whiteboard in a practice, although practice is important too. I needed to do that in my leadership and in parenting. I needed to be right inside the jungle as much as possible. Emphasizing the significance of real-time coaching and grasping the intricacies of the game while in motion, understanding that genuine lessons and growth often come from active engagement rather than retrospective reflection on the sidelines.
So there you have it! A glimpse of the ideas that have been flooding my brain since taking on this leadership gig and navigating it and motherhood. In the grand scheme of life, each thread of realization, every ounce of experience, brings depth and beauty to the picture we paint of our lives. We are in control but the masterpiece isn’t crafted alone. It thrives on collaboration, shared wisdom, and collective growth. As I’ve navigated my journey, every revelation, every truth, has been enriched by the stories and insights of other incredible souls walking similar paths.
So, after all these game-changing epiphanies, what’s the next level? Leveling up with others, of course! Because let’s face it, sharing insights (and occasionally venting) over a virtual cuppa makes everything better. If you’re nodding along thinking, “Yep, been there, learned that,” or even, “Huh? Tell me more!” – then our Leader Mama membership called Inspire, might just be your next best move. Slide on in, and let’s keep these revelations rolling… and maybe even share a laugh or two
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