Strong leadership comes from within us.  It’s grounded in our awareness of our core values, our guiding principles, and our beliefs.  When we reflect and remain in touch with those principles, we’re prepared to handle difficult and challenging situations when they arise. Our courage shines because we know with certainty who we are and what we believe!

Coherent leaders “walk the talk”---they make sure their actions line up completely with their stated beliefs.  When we have the courage to remain steady and true, our people trust us because of our consistency and our authenticity.  

Effective leaders know there’s a balance in their work.  They stay true to their own values and are strong enough to stand alone if needed;  they also know the value of collaboration, and love to tap into the passion and talents of their people.  They balance the strength of their own leadership with the rich energy of others!

Great leaders understand the value of being vulnerable; they know that trying to be  perfect makes them seem unapproachable and distant.   Authentic, trustworthy leaders inspire their people! They’re open to learning from their failures, and always move forward after facing reality.  When faced with difficulty, the best leaders ask, “What can I learn from this?”

All of us have times when we feel depleted and worn down by circumstances and the difficulties of our lives.  When that happens, dive deep into your knowledge of who you are, and remember your moral purpose.  Being in touch with our “WHY” gives us direction and a sense of calm as we move forward.  Give yourself the gift of time to reflect on your purpose and your legacy, rid yourself of the burden of shame and guilt, and then focus on the future you can create!

It’s so very important to make time to quiet our minds and proceed with purpose as leaders!   Our best thinking happens when we breathe deep, cultivate peacefulness, and bring our best selves to our lives.  The world is waiting for us to do that!

Transitions can throw all of us into a time of disequilibrium and anxiety! Remember that you have insight and experience, and your own inner voice  deserves to be listened to and honored.   What the world holds as valuable and prestigious may not be what your heart tells you is true.  Our courage comes from our own truth, and our integrity comes from acting on it.

Exemplary leaders know that speaking the truth will guide them in the present moment, and that acting with love will shape their legacy for the future.  They model the way of compassion, cloaked in courage.

Skillful servant leaders focus on the needs of others, and think about balance--- How can they meet the needs of others while maintaining their own strength?  They question carefully and listen well, realizing that the act of listening itself is a gift to their people.  The actions of servant leaders are filled with purpose and intentionality, as they carefully guide with resources, support and accountability in order to bring out the best in their people!

Do you choose to focus on strife and turmoil, or do you choose to watch for the small shining moments of joy that occur in your life?    The reward for choosing  joy is twofold:  First, positivity allows us to be more productive and bring more energy to our life and work, and second,  joy draws others to us in a connection of warmth and kindness.   Let’s be mindful of the small moments of beauty in our world, and take the time to cherish them!