When Leaders are Frustrated..

Women Who Want More- The Leadership Edition launches next week. There’s one spot left. Nine other brilliant and talented women have said yes to stretching themselves in their leadership in every area of their lives.

I gave a keynote this week inside an organization about work and individual leadership. I told the story of a client- we’ll call him Joe.

Joe founded and ran a small design company. When he first came to me he had a lot to say about his employees. They were lazy. They were unfocused. He often had to redo parts of their work.

I let Joe talk for a while about everything that he perceived was wrong with his employees.

Then I asked him this question, “Joe, is this a problem with your employees, or is this a reflection of your leadership?”

Gulp. (This is one of the great bonuses of being a coach- we get to ask these really uncomfortable questions.)

In fact, I ask you to consider this same question. Whatever you complain about when it comes to work and people who work for you or work with you- or what ever you complain about in your personal life-

Is this a problem with your employees or co-workers or family or friends, or is this a reflection of YOUR leadership?

And, if it’s a reflection of your leadership, this is good news because this can be addressed!

Even though my talk this week was for a company, I reinforced the idea that we are each in charge of developing our own leadership. It’s not just up to your boss or your HR department.

You can do this for yourself. In fact, getting support is an example of you stepping into stronger leadership.

The group I’m leading will touch on many aspects of leadership, and it’s not just for women in corporate jobs. We all lead- with our families, with our friends, with our communities, and with ourselves.

A few of the topics we’ll dive into in the next five months include- having difficult conversations, giving and receiving effective feedback, how to inspire others, setting a clear vision for yourself and your team, executive presence, and integrity.

If you’re feeling a calling inside to do this- reach out to me. I may never run this group again.

This last spot may be waiting just for you.