We define Personal Leadership as a never-ending journey of cultivating self-awareness, building self-regulation and prioritising self-care. The foundation stone to lead others and organisations effectively. What is your experience in cultivating self-awareness as a leader? And how has it impacted your ability to lead in the multiple roles you play?
I have been incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by great leaders and mentors, be it in my own family and in the workplace. Along the way in different ways, each have shown, guided, supported, encouraged and challenged me, shaping me to who I am today.
For me, cultivating self-awareness appears in many lenses, through knowing and honouring my personal values, shaping behaviours, recognising how that shows up with others and reflecting on the linkage between. I am acutely aware of what lights me up (playing to strengths), the areas which really zap me and how I might best overcome this (apply the 80/20 rule and pivot!)
I think it’s vital to seek out diversity of thought and experience in the spirit of refining self-awareness, and in doing so have actively participated in deep vertical learning and have sought to balance personal growth with professional skill acquisition. I love to seek feedback, and am very conscious of continuing to learn, adapt and iterate as I go.
As a leader, I am very purpose driven and have a strong moral compass. This stems from knowing who I truly am, being my authentic self, applying a high level of personal acceptance and being open to growth and change. I strongly believe that everyone has valuable input and can contribute, and that shapes how I engage and connect with others.
I love that we are all stitches in the tapestry of life, bringing colour, light and shade. For me, effective leadership is about being grounded, embracing self-awareness, playing to strengths and partnering on the gaps to continuously improve.
When the pressure is on, what helps you stay grounded?
Some of my best leadership learnings have been hands on, arising from the most challenging of circumstances, and that’s when you dig deep and build resilience, courage and the ability to get up and put one foot in front of the other, despite the obstacles.
I find when things are not ‘humming’, it is often when I have strayed from my authentic self. If the environment is not conducive or misaligned to personal values, things will feel tougher than they need to be. I can absolutely sense and feel when something is out of kilter, and so can those around me.
In these moments, I take a deep breath, lean in and listen to what my head, heart and gut are telling me. I will make time to carve out short breaks, even if its 15 mins, to grab some fresh air, walk, stretch, fuel up and regroup. I purposefully do a self-check in and reflect on ‘What do I need to do now, what will make an impact in the short/mid/long term and how can I chunk things down into practical components to be able to move forward’.
I intentionally seek wise counsel and connect to others with different perspectives, with people I know and trust, to offer their honest reflection, inviting openness and authenticity.
What has been your relationship with self-care on your leadership journey?
There is an old saying that you can’t pour from an empty cup, and I know that only too well. Throughout my career, I have twice experienced burnout. Each time has been as a direct result of lack of self-care, misalignment of values, ignorance of personal needs and unrealistic expectations which have all been contributing factors.
I think anything done well takes discipline and intention. When I am playing at my best, self-care is top of mind. I am present and mindful, and actively practicing and prioritising where, when and how to fill up my cup. So I would say that my relationship with self-care is an ongoing practice that continues to evolve and grow as I do.
My leadership journey has been shaped by mentors, diverse experiences and a commitment to self-awareness and self-care. These elements have been instrumental in my ability to navigate challenges, maintain authenticity and lead effectively.
