Day 15 - Reflecting on Leadership

Today I am challenged to reflect on who I am as a leader. This one is interesting because I was having a conversation yesterday with a potential employer about what I bring to the table, and what my leadership qualities were.

I told them that I am a passionate, positive, and transparent leader. I did my best to impress upon them how important it is to me that the whole individual is valued and embraced in any space – at work or in the community.

In my work and personal life, I lead with passion, act with positive intent, and communicate with transparency to ensure I do everything I can to earn the trust of those I’m responsible for. Those who expect to be led will be unwilling to follow if they do not trust in their leader. I am cognizant of the fact that I haven’t earned the trust of every person I was responsible for leading, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.

Authenticity is key. I believe in being honest, courageous, creative, and curious. I am grateful for the chance I’ve had to get to use my leadership skills in the community these past six months. I don’t want to get rusty and become unable to deliver the level of leadership that is deserved for those who rely on my experience, strength and hope to succeed.

I know that my passion and enthusiasm can be intimidating for some. I am a person of action and believe that the best way to positively impact the world is to shift from only talking about the difficult situations we experience and begin to take action in improving them.

A friend of mine once told me that problems are solvable, but dilemmas cannot be solved, they can only be improved upon. I think this is where we struggle most as people; we believe if something can’t be solved then it’s a lost cause. I believe we can always work to improve circumstances, even if we can’t eliminate what’s ailing us.

One area that I would like to work to improve for myself is in fulfilling my commitment to the ICMI online community I provide contact center leadership articles to since summertime 2020. I am obligated to provide a minimum of six articles each year, and I have yet to send one in since I parted ways with my former employer earlier this year.

I’ve allowed myself to believe that I was no longer the right person to submit material because I wasn’t actively engaged in the contact center industry. When I stop to assess this narrative I’ve been telling myself, I can acknowledge that I have permitted fear to impact my capacity to participate in something I love.

I am worthy to participate because I have an abundance of experience and passion. Leaders help others learn to lead. One way in which I can continue to add positive impact as an industry professional is to share what I know, how I’ve failed, and the lessons I’ve learned from my mistakes that have improved my leadership abilities.

You, too, are worthy to do what you love. Don’t let fear keep you from action.

Stock image provided by Unsplash.