Welcome to our Thanksgiving episode of Success Your Own Way! In this episode we take a journey into the power of gratitude—what it truly means, why it matters, and how it can transform our lives.
You’ll hear us reflect on the joys and challenges of the past year. Personal stories and moments of thankfulness—from everyday experiences like taking a child to the movies, to life-changing journeys toward parenthood will be shared. We revisit moments from the season, highlighting what our guests are most grateful for: family, friends, mentors, resilience through hardship, and the opportunity to give back.
Our guests open up about navigating adversity, practicing self-advocacy, and the importance of both receiving and giving support. Along the way, we offer practical tips to help you weave gratitude into your daily life—whether it’s through journaling, mindful reflection, or simple acts of kindness. As the holiday season begins, join us in celebrating the ordinary and extraordinary moments that make life meaningful.
Thanksgiving Reflections: The Power of Gratitude
We’re deeply grateful for our guests, our listeners, and the community we’ve built together. Tune in for this inspiring conversation. It will leave you feeling connected, uplifted, and ready to find gratitude in every day.
Letting go to lead. What does that mean for you? Autumn is nature’s quiet invitation to release. As the trees shed their leaves, they remind us that letting go isn’t a loss—it’s a necessary step in renewal. In leadership and life, we often cling to outdated beliefs, roles, or expectations simply because they’ve been with us for so long. But just like the trees, we thrive when we allow what no longer serves us to fall away.
The Power of Letting Go
The metaphor of falling leaves is rich with wisdom. Trees don’t resist the change; they prepare for it. They stop sending energy to what’s no longer needed and redirect it inward, conserving strength for the season ahead. What if we did the same in our professional lives? Could we pause to ask: What am I still holding onto that’s draining my energy? Have our roles, responsibilities, or “shoulds” outlived their purpose?
Many of us carry invisible scripts—expectations handed down by culture, family, or past versions of ourselves. “I should… be further along….want that promotion….be able to do it all.” These scripts often go unquestioned, yet they shape how we lead, how we show up, and how we define success. Autumn invites us to challenge those scripts. To ask: Is this belief still true for me? Is this role still aligned with who I am becoming?
Create Space
Letting go can feel uncomfortable. It may stir up fear, uncertainty, or grief. But it also creates space—for clarity, creativity, and courage. When we release what’s no longer aligned, we make room for what is. We become more intentional, more present, and more powerful in our leadership.
Here are a few ways to embrace the season of shedding:
Reflect with Curiosity
Set aside time to journal or walk in nature. Ask yourself: What am I ready to release? What beliefs or habits feel heavy or outdated?
Name Your “Shoulds”
Write down the expectations you feel pressured to meet. Then sort them into three categories: want, need, and neither. Let go of the ones that no longer reflect your values.
Practice Gentle Detachment
You don’t have to make dramatic changes overnight. Start by loosening your grip—declining one meeting, delegating one task, or saying no to one obligation that doesn’t serve you.
Reclaim Your Energy
Notice where your energy flows. Are you investing in growth, or just maintaining appearances? Redirect your focus toward what fuels you.
Trust the Cycle
Just as trees trust that spring will come, trust that letting go will lead to new beginnings. Leadership isn’t about holding everything—it’s about knowing what to release.
Embrace Change
Autumn teaches us that change doesn’t have to be loud or chaotic. It can be graceful, intentional, and deeply empowering. As you move through this season, consider what you’re ready to let fall. Because in the space that remains, something new can take root—and that’s where true leadership begins. Reach out if you want to talk more about how to achieve the change you seek.
Introverted leaders possess unique strengths that are powerful and transformative. In the realm of leadership, extroversion is often celebrated as the ideal personality trait. Images of charismatic leaders rallying their teams and commanding attention dominate our perceptions. However, introverted leaders possess unique strengths that can be just as powerful and transformative. Coaches can help introverts with strategies to demonstrate leadership even in situations where it doesn’t feel as natural.
Who are Some Introverted Leaders?
You may be thinking, “This all sounds really interesting, but I don’t know of any introverted leaders”. Below are a few you may have heard of, but I would imagine that if you think about the characteristics of these individuals you may also be able to come up with a few in your own world as well.
Bill Gates: Co-founder of Microsoft, known for his analytical thinking and strategic vision.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: The late Supreme Court Justice, known for her thoughtful and deliberate approach to decision-making.
Angela Merkel: Former Chancellor of Germany, recognized for her analytical and pragmatic leadership style.
Warren Buffett: CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, renowned for his thoughtful decision-making and investment acumen.
Steve Wozniak: Co-founder of Apple Inc., celebrated for his technical expertise and creativity.
Barack Obama: 44th President of the United States, admired for his reflective and empathetic leadership style.
J.K. Rowling: Author of the Harry Potter series, praised for her creativity and perseverance.
Thoughtful Decision-Making
One of the defining characteristics of introverted leaders is their ability to engage in deep reflection and thoughtful decision-making. Unlike extroverted leaders who may thrive on spontaneous interactions and quick judgments, introverted leaders prefer to take their time to analyze information and consider various perspectives before making decisions.
Benefits of Thoughtful Decision-Making:
Reduced Impulsivity: Introverted leaders are less likely to make hasty decisions that could lead to negative consequences.
Informed Choices: By thoroughly evaluating options, they can make well-informed decisions that align with long-term goals.
Active Listening
Introverted leaders are often exceptional listeners. They value the input of others and create an environment where team members feel heard and respected. This active listening fosters open communication and collaboration, leading to a more cohesive and engaged team.
Key Aspects of Active Listening:
Empathy: Introverted leaders are attuned to the emotions and needs of their team members, building strong interpersonal relationships.
Feedback Integration: They incorporate feedback from others into their decision-making process, ensuring that diverse viewpoints are considered.
Empowering Others
Introverted leaders tend to focus on empowering their team members rather than seeking the spotlight for themselves. They understand the importance of delegation and trust their teams to take ownership of their tasks. This empowerment fosters a sense of responsibility and autonomy among employees, leading to increased motivation and productivity.
Empowerment Strategies:
Delegation: Assigning tasks based on individual strengths and capabilities.
Mentorship: Providing guidance and support to help team members grow and develop their skills.
Quiet Confidence
Introverted leaders exude a quiet confidence that can be deeply reassuring to their teams. Rather than relying on overt displays of authority, they lead by example and earn respect through their actions. This quiet confidence can inspire trust and loyalty among team members.
Characteristics of Quiet Confidence:
Consistency: Introverted leaders are often consistent in their actions and decisions, providing a stable and reliable presence.
Authenticity: They are genuine and true to themselves, creating an environment where authenticity is valued.
Focus and Concentration
Introverted leaders excel in maintaining focus and concentration on tasks. Their ability to work independently and sustain attention allows them to tackle complex challenges and drive projects to completion. This focus ensures that goals are met efficiently and effectively.
Benefits of Focus:
Productivity: Introverted leaders can manage their time effectively and prioritize tasks to achieve optimal outcomes.
Problem-Solving: Their ability to concentrate allows them to delve deeply into problems and develop innovative solutions.
Creating a Balanced Team
Diversity in leadership styles is essential for creating a balanced and resilient team. Introverted leaders complement their extroverted counterparts by bringing a different perspective to the table. This diversity in leadership fosters creativity, innovation, and a well-rounded approach to problem-solving.
Advantages of a Balanced Team:
Complementary Strengths: Different leadership styles can address various challenges and leverage the strengths of all team members.
Adaptability: A diverse leadership team can adapt to changing circumstances and navigate complex situations more effectively.
Shining as an Introverted Leader
Introverted leaders possess unique strengths that make them highly effective in their roles. Their thoughtful decision-making, active listening, empowerment strategies, quiet confidence, focus, and ability to create balanced teams contribute to their success. By recognizing and valuing the strengths of introverted leaders, organizations can harness the full potential of their leadership talent and drive sustainable success. Reach out if you want to learn how coaches can help introverts with strategies to demonstrate their own unique brand of leadership.
How do I know coaches empower change? Because I experienced it first-hand. I spent 26 years in Corporate America. Like many of you, I was grinding away and seeking that next role or promotion. Ultimately, I found myself squeezing in personal and family obligations at all hours and costs. And, I was feeling guilty that it was never enough.
It took the support of an amazing professional coach to help me realize that I can change. I knew that I had to change for the sake of myself and my family. I realized that pursuing my dream of a balanced and happy life was worth the risk of not only leaving the comfort of what I had always known but also changing my professional identity. Finally, I learned that I had enough and that I was enough. I realized that I could be happy, fulfilled, and financially independent doing what I LOVE to do…and that is helping OTHERS pursue their passions.
Who Needs a Coach?
Ever met a sports team without a coach? Me neither. Life is a team sport, but we seem to be out there in some kind of “every person for themselves” type of environment. It’s madness. People need people. Each of us needs support and the dedicated time to reflect, to dream, to grow, and to change. Today, multi-tasking is not only expected but rewarded and unfortunately this necessary time and space for reflection does not occur naturally. You need to prioritize and not compromise that time. That is where a coach comes in – coaches empower change.
The value of having a professional coach is similar regardless of whether you are a leader looking to advance to an executive role, an employee looking to make a career move, or an individual working toward a change of any kind. Individuals who receive coaching find greater fulfillment for themselves and are of greater value to their organizations as well. Coaches empower change.
Role of a Coach
Coaches empower change and create an opportunity to engage in focused conversations that enable and support key development areas. A coach creates space for the “coachee” to be introspective and contemplative. Great coaches ask great questions and listen intently to what is being said (and how it is being said) as well as what is not being said. A coach does not provide the coachee with the answer. Rather, they create an environment in which the coachee creates their answers. That way, the answers are grounded in the values of the coachee and ultimately connect what an individual truly wants with what they are willing to risk to get it.
With the support of a coach, the coachee explores obstacles, builds a plan, is held accountable, and is enabled to make the change they wish to make. The coach is there to listen, inquire, and challenge existing mental frameworks. They encourage new thinking and possibilities. And they stimulate the coachee’s imagination and empower and validate the coachee. Together, the coach and coachee focus on self-discovery, goal setting, and taking action. The best coach/coachee relationships are grounded in trust, accountability, and vulnerability. Two of the most impactful types of coaching are Career Coaching and Leadership Coaching.
Career and Leadership Coaching
Career coaching provides numerous benefits to individuals at various stages of their professional journey. Coaches help the coachee figure out what they truly want to do and understand what is preventing them from achieving it. They help the coachee endure the ups and downs of pursuing their career goals. Career coaching is an investment in both personal and professional growth.
Leadership coaching can greatly benefit leaders and their organizations. Today, leaders must be better equipped to address real anxieties in the workplace. Leadership is no longer just about managing and guiding the work, setting the strategy, executing, measuring, and optimizing. Importantly, leadership responsibilities are far greater in the current environment where individuals need personal and professional support to truly grow. They do this by being empowered and allowed to learn from their mistakes. Therefore, the leader’s capacity and skillset must also shift to support this new way of working. As a result, companies are moving toward a coaching model where leaders are trained to facilitate problem-solving through asking questions and offering support vs giving orders and making judgments. Leadership coaching can make a good leader exceptional—as long as the leader is willing to put in the effort needed. Coaches empower change.
Coaches Empower Change – What are you waiting for?
Don’t spend months, years, or even decades ‘squeezing in’ the people and opportunities that are most important to who you are and who you want to become. Don’t let fear win. Explore, dream, and write the next chapter of life that will bring you the happiness and fulfillment you want and deserve. What are you waiting for? Let’s chat! We may be able to help you get out of your way and reach your full potential.
Coaches Empower Change
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