Haley Janicek’s Post

In the realm of leadership, authenticity isn't just a buzzword; it's the cornerstone of a balanced and fulfilling leadership journey. Aligning who you are with what you value, and integrating this authenticity into your professional demeanor, is essential. Yet, many leaders find themselves ensnared in the pitfalls of burnout, depression, and the deterioration of their careers and relationships, largely due to a disconnect between their inner selves and their outward personas. To navigate these challenges and emerge as an authentic, balanced leader, consider these four expanded keys: 1. **Learn to Take Off the Mask**: The pressure to maintain a constant facade of invulnerability can be exhausting. True leadership strength lies in vulnerability and the willingness to show your team that it's okay to be human. Removing the mask invites authenticity into your leadership style, encouraging a culture of openness and trust within your team. This step is about embracing your true self and allowing your genuine character to guide your leadership approach. 🎭➡️🌿 2. **Create and Communicate Healthy Boundaries**: Effective leadership requires the establishment of clear, healthy boundaries. These boundaries help safeguard your time, energy, and emotional well-being, ensuring you can give your best where it counts. More importantly, communicating these boundaries clearly to your team and peers fosters an environment of mutual respect and understanding, setting the stage for a balanced work-life integration. It's about knowing your limits and ensuring others respect them. 🚧🗣️ 3. **Express Your Emotions Professionally**: Emotions are an integral part of the human experience, and acknowledging them in the workplace can lead to deeper connections and enhanced empathy. However, the key is to express these emotions in a manner that is constructive and maintains professionalism. This doesn't mean suppressing your feelings but rather understanding the appropriate time, place, and manner to express them, ensuring that your emotional expression contributes positively to the workplace environment. 💼💖 4. **Self-Care, Meaningful Relationships, & Rest Are Essential**: The foundation of sustained leadership effectiveness is self-care, the cultivation of meaningful relationships, and adequate rest. These elements are crucial for maintaining your physical, emotional, and mental well-being, enabling you to lead with energy and clarity. Prioritizing these aspects of your life ensures that you can perform at your best, both in your professional and personal spheres. It's about making a conscious effort to care for yourself, so you can care for others. 🌟🛌👫 Visit www.createmystory2.com to join me for a strategic alliance call, where you'll receive a complimentary strategic #AuthenticLeadership #WorkLifeBalance #TrueSelf #HealthyBoundaries #EmotionalExpression #SelfCare #MeaningfulRelationships #LeadershipEffectiveness #ProfessionalGrowth #PersonalWellbeing #Leadership

In the realm of leadership, authenticity isn't just a buzzword; it's the cornerstone of a balanced and fulfilling leadership journey. Aligning who you are with what you value, and integrating this authenticity into your professional demeanor, is essential. Yet, many leaders find themselves ensnared in the pitfalls of burnout, depression, and the deterioration of their careers and relationships, largely due to a disconnect between their inner selves and their outward personas. To navigate these challenges and emerge as an authentic, balanced leader, consider these four expanded keys: 1. **Learn to Take Off the Mask**: The pressure to maintain a constant facade of invulnerability can be exhausting. True leadership strength lies in vulnerability and the willingness to show your team that it's okay to be human. Removing the mask invites authenticity into your leadership style, encouraging a culture of openness and trust within your team. This step is about embracing your true self and allowing your genuine character to guide your leadership approach. 🎭➡️🌿 2. **Create and Communicate Healthy Boundaries**: Effective leadership requires the establishment of clear, healthy boundaries. These boundaries help safeguard your time, energy, and emotional well-being, ensuring you can give your best where it counts. More importantly, communicating these boundaries clearly to your team and peers fosters an environment of mutual respect and understanding, setting the stage for a balanced work-life integration. It's about knowing your limits and ensuring others respect them. 🚧🗣️ 3. **Express Your Emotions Professionally**: Emotions are an integral part of the human experience, and acknowledging them in the workplace can lead to deeper connections and enhanced empathy. However, the key is to express these emotions in a manner that is constructive and maintains professionalism. This doesn't mean suppressing your feelings but rather understanding the appropriate time, place, and manner to express them, ensuring that your emotional expression contributes positively to the workplace environment. 💼💖 4. **Self-Care, Meaningful Relationships, & Rest Are Essential**: The foundation of sustained leadership effectiveness is self-care, the cultivation of meaningful relationships, and adequate rest. These elements are crucial for maintaining your physical, emotional, and mental well-being, enabling you to lead with energy and clarity. Prioritizing these aspects of your life ensures that you can perform at your best, both in your professional and personal spheres. It's about making a conscious effort to care for yourself, so you can care for others. 🌟🛌👫 Visit www.createmystory2.com to join me for a strategic alliance call, where you'll receive a complimentary strategic #AuthenticLeadership #WorkLifeBalance #TrueSelf #HealthyBoundaries #EmotionalExpression #SelfCare #MeaningfulRelationships #LeadershipEffectiveness #ProfessionalGrowth #PersonalWellbeing #Leadership

You're doubting yourself? GOOD! Then you're probably NOT a prick. Welcome to the world of self-doubt and imposter syndrome, where you wonder if you're good enough, or if people are going to realize that you're not the right person for the job. Self-confidence and self-doubt are often the center of my discussions with clients. There's 2 things most people don't believe: 1- Men and women BOTH grapple with doubts about their abilities and their suitability for roles of leadership and authority. It's not just a female thing. 2- Also, people at the highest position, or most technical position have just as much self-doubt as every body else. Consider these statements: - "I don't have enough authority; I think I am too nice with my team. That promotion I just got? It's going to be hard for me to become what I think a leader should be, I just don't fit." - "I don't think I am charismatic; and I think a leader is someone everybody looks at with awe. And I don't think that's me." Interestingly, both of these statements are from men. Both are in top management in multi-national firms. I won't share similar statements from female leaders: They go down the same line. These statements come from smart, self-aware individuals who understand that perfection is an unattainable goal. They acknowledge their own imperfections and are on a continuous learning journey to improve themselves. (And that's when I am in awe 😀.) What makes these men stand out is their willingness to question themselves. And then, they are ready to question other things. Like their preconceived notions of what leadership looks like. What leadership should be. What it could be. Did you just hear the sound of a door opening? "What could *your* leadership be?" We can start defining their leadership now. Authority? Team work? Charisma? They are ready to question all these notions, and redefine them, because they are done questioning only themselves. I love this work. Because there isn't just one type of leadership. And with each client, I get to see another leadership shape I had never seen before. Leadership is certainly NOT solely about authority or charisma but could be about growth. Adaptability. Openness. People. About whatever you want it to be, actually. Leadership is not about conforming to rigid stereotypes but creating your own style. So here is why I actually love the Imposter Syndrome: 1- Because it doesn't discriminate based on gender. 2- Because it's gotten you to question yourself a lot, it might be easier for you to start questioning things around you. (and that's a good thing.) 3- Because a bit of self-doubt means you are slightly self-aware, and probably not a demonic, authoritarian prick. Well done to you!

The Folly of Showing Off for Leaders: A Lesson Learned the Hard Way We live in a world where success & leadership are often synonymous with prestige & power. It's not uncommon for individuals to feel the need to show off their accomplishments, especially when they hold leadership positions. However, this post aims to shed light on the inherent foolishness of such behavior & why it often leads to unfavorable consequences. As a cautionary tale, I'll share a personal experience that taught me a valuable lesson about the perils of showing off as a leader. Picture this: I once found myself in a room full of people, ready to deliver a speech as a CEO. I had worked hard to achieve this position, & I thought this was the perfect opportunity to showcase my success. I couldn't wait to boast about my achievements, expecting applause & admiration from the audience. To my surprise & dismay, as I began flaunting my accomplishments, the audience's reaction was far from what I had anticipated. It became painfully evident that they didn't care about my self-aggrandizement. Instead of applause, I was met with indifference, & the atmosphere in the room grew uncomfortable. My personal experience, while embarrassing, is not an isolated incident. Numerous studies & research support the idea that showing off for leaders can have adverse effects on one's leadership & reputation. 1. Trust Erosion: A study published in the Journal of Personality & Social Psychology found that excessive self-promotion can erode trust. Leaders who constantly showcase their accomplishments are perceived as less trustworthy by their colleagues & subordinates. 2. Diminished Empathy: A report in HBR suggests that leaders who boast about their achievements tend to be seen as less empathetic & approachable. This can lead to a lack of connection with team members. 3. Undermining Team Morale: According to research by UCB, leaders who brag about their accomplishments can hurt team morale. Team members may feel demotivated, undervalued, & less likely to contribute to the organization's goals. 4. Ineffective Leadership: The APA warns that leaders who focus on self-promotion instead of collaboration & teamwork are less effective in their roles. Effective leadership requires humility & a willingness to work together with others. Humble leaders are more likely to foster trust, build strong relationships, & inspire their teams to achieve success collectively. Instead of seeking personal glory, they prioritize the well-being of their organization & its members. In conclusion, the pursuit of leadership should never be synonymous with the desire to show off. Leaders who prioritize humility, empathy, & collaboration are more likely to succeed in the long run & create a positive impact on their teams & organizations. It's time we shift our focus from self-promotion to genuine leadership qualities that truly matter. #leadership #empathy #humility

As I embark on a new career opportunity (more to come on that soon), I’ve been taking the time to think about what I appreciate most about my favorite leaders and the strengths I have seen in them that I have tried to emulate in my own leadership. First and foremost, being present is such an underrated part of leadership. Not simply being physically present for your team, but also being mentally and emotionally available for them in the workplace. The single biggest comment I receive from my current team is how I am always present in the area; not micromanaging, but simply being present and available if they need me. Not having to stop and question if your leader is available to you or where they are means the world, especially in stressful situations, and my biggest advice when training new members of our team revolves around being present and visible for our team. Some of my favorite memories from leadership in my past include those moments when my leaders jumped into action right next to me. The expectation for their position was not to jump in and help, but they did it anyways. That’s the “above and beyond” type of leadership that really sticks with someone. These are memories that I will treasure for my entire professional life and seek to imitate daily on my teams. Next, being able to communicate effectively is an often-stated, yet underrated, skill. I have studied communication extensively, and I cannot adequately explain how often I hear someone claim to be an effective communicator while their team bemoans their terrible communication skills. So where is the breakdown between these two perceptions? If we see ourselves as strong, effective, communicators, yet we never ask our team how they best receive communication or how we can improve our communication to best relate to them, I believe this is where that major breakdown in communication happens. Being adaptable and flexible to grow in your communication styles to best serve your team is such a key part of effective leadership in my experience. Now I am by no means perfect in these skills, but I have made a commitment to myself and my current and future teams to continuously take my own advice and try to improve for the betterment of myself and my team. I think so many of us have those leaders in the past (or the present if we’re lucky) to whom we can look as a role model, a mentor, and an inspiration for the type of leader that we seek to be. My challenge to all of us is to check in with those people whose opinions you value, those you see as mentors and role models for the type of leader you want to become. Reach out to them and ask their opinion on what you do well, and how they think you can best cultivate your strengths to improve even more. I would also love to hear from you! Comment below or send me a DM and let’s talk about those leadership styles that you most admire, and your favorite memories of strong leaders that you still remember and aspire to reflect for your team.

Nothing beats the feeling, when you realize you are on a path of continual growth. Growth is pivotal to any living entity without which we say it’s dead. Growth is how we measure success, it is how we measure effectiveness, it is how we measure impact. I want to share with you my personal journey of growth and how being part of community service has helped me to grow more. Throughout my life, I have had opportunities to lead. I have served as Class monitor, school prefect (both in Primary school and Secondary school), Youth fellowship president and now my new role as Provost SRHIN at the University Hub. I am privileged to have explored opportunities in all these different roles and more. I have made mistakes, I have learned, I have become better. 1.     I am best friends with books, I have read a few throughout my life and I think they have contributed in helping me become who I am today. Books are the best teachers if you listen but practice makes you a better person, a better leader. 2.    Leadership is about inspiration. It is your ability to provide for your followers a compass that will provide direction for them to navigate through events. 3.   A leader must listen and understand the true situation of things and then make decisions that will solve the problem. This in other words means a leader must be good at making assessments and be a master of good judgement. 4.     A leader must be willing to take responsibility, the people that you lead must know you have their backs no matter what. That gives them assurance and confidence. 5.    There has been times when I didn’t know what to do, But something must be done. Such moments pushes you beyond your limits as a leader. During those times never lose your confidence because that could affect the morale of the team. Rather be open to suggestions from your fellow team mates or mentors. 6.    Emotional intelligence is a very useful asset to the leader. Knowing how to handle emotions, excitement, anger, disappointment, counts for lots. In the heat of disagreements what you say or how you act can impact your leadership in the long run. 7.    Understanding the complexities of people, the different personality categories is a valuable asset. A leader must know people. You know by studying them. This will help you anticipate their reaction when you have to deal with them. 8.    Knowing what words to use when addressing the people you lead is invaluable. Great leaders have been great communicators. You must communicate clearly as a leader whether in words or in body language. When your words and body language conflicts, that may affect your people’s involvement in the work. 9.    Don’t let anyone look down on you. You must carry yourself and exude confidence, else you will lose your followers. When that happens, you have lost your position of influence. 10. Respect yourself and be assertive. Distinguish yourself, else you will soon be seen as an ordinary person. 

🐣 My first steps... In the crucible of first-line management within the police force, I faced challenges that tested every fibre of my abilities. Picture this: a young police sergeant, navigating a team where priorities shifted like sand, and strong personalities clashed with the force of tectonic plates. 😮 The Challenge: Daily, I balanced what felt like hundreds of spinning plates, each representing potential harm to the public or internal team dynamics. Determining what to focus on, amidst a sea of urgent tasks, was daunting. Strong characters within the team sometimes sowed discord, overshadowing the quieter, brilliant members whose talents were crucial yet often overlooked by my naivety. 🆘 The Pressure: From above, the pressure was relentless. Bosses demanded results with minimal, if any support or understanding of YOU and your unique character. It felt cold, dark. 📚 The Lessons Learned: This journey was a trial by fire, teaching me more about leadership than any textbook ever could. I learned the importance of truly listening to all voices, not just the loudest. I discovered the critical nature of prioritisation, thinking strategically, ensuring every decision reflected our core mission. Most crucially, I understood the transformative power of authentic, supportive leadership. Having someone experienced who genuinely cared about my development would have made all the difference, but I didn't find that until later in my leadership journey. 💱 The Transformation: These challenges shaped me into the leader I am today, instilling a deep emotional awareness and a commitment to ethical, people-first leadership. Now, as I guide others through their leadership challenges, I bring not just theoretical knowledge but real-world experience forged in one of the most demanding environments imaginable. 🏡 The Invitation: If you are the leader of a company of around 20 people and are enlightened to understand the benefits of external support, and a coach who understands intimately the trials of leadership, who has lived through the fire and emerged with insights only gained through genuine adversity, I am here to support you. Together, we can turn your challenges into stepping stones for success, leveraging my hard-earned wisdom to guide you through the complexities of leadership and team management. With authenticity, dedication, and a deep understanding of what it means to lead under pressure, I am committed to helping you become the effective, impactful leader you aspire to be. It feels uncomfortable sending a message to a stranger doesn't it? Be brave, what do you have to lose? Send me a DM and let's chat. 🙂 Team Operations Scorecard Quiz: https://lnkd.in/eBWPEkcd #founders #managingpeople #leadershipdevelopment #teamculture

Why you're not Professor X, & that's okay! In the world of #leadership, there's an unspoken myth that to be truly effective, one must possess the telepathic prowess of Professor X from the X-Men. This belief is perpetuated by leaders who, with a stern look & a furrowed brow, claim to know exactly what their team members are thinking & feeling. Spoiler alert: they don't. & here's why that's not only okay but beneficial. First off, let's address the elephant in the room: mind-reading in leadership is about as real as my chances of winning Olympic gold in gymnastics—nonexistent & frankly, a little hilarious to imagine. A study by CU Boulder found that our ability to accurately guess what's going on in someone else's head is barely better than chance. This suggests that #leaders who pride themselves on their mind-reading abilities might be tuning into their own biases rather than their team's actual thoughts & feelings. The main issue with psychic leadership (aside from it being a fictional concept) is that it creates a culture of assumption rather than communication. When leaders believe they already know what their team thinks or needs, they skip the crucial step of asking. This not only leads to misinterpretation but can also stifle open dialogue within the team. Imagine a #leader who assumes they know why productivity has dropped, blaming it on laziness or lack of motivation when, in reality, the team is unclear about the project's direction. The result? A solution that doesn't address the real problem, akin to prescribing glasses to someone who needs hearing aids. Here’s where the real leadership magic happens: asking for feedback. It turns out that the most effective leaders are those who understand that they are not mind readers. Instead, they cultivate a culture of openness where asking for & providing feedback is encouraged & valued. A study by HBR highlighted that leaders who ask for feedback are perceived as significantly more effective than those who don't. This is because asking for feedback not only provides accurate insights into what your team is thinking & feeling but also demonstrates humility & a willingness to learn & grow. You see, while the ability to read minds might seem like the ultimate leadership skill, it's a myth that does more harm than good. Leaders, embrace your non-telepathic selves. Recognize that the true power lies not in assuming what others think but in asking, #listening, & responding to feedback. After all, the strongest leaders are those who understand the value of #communication, the importance of #humility, & the fact that sometimes a simple conversation can be more revealing than any psychic power ever could be. & remember, the next time you find yourself assuming you know what your team is thinking, take a step back & ask. You might not be Professor X, but you have something far more valuable: the ability to connect, understand, & lead with clarity & #empathy. Now that's a superpower worth having.

Adjusting this one thing can be a make or break when you are a leader The pivotal moment when clients realize the potential for joy in their work-life serves as a profound source of motivation for me. It invigorates me for days when clients experience an epiphany: realizing that their aspirations, once deemed unattainable, are indeed within reach. A prevalent issue I frequently encounter is the reluctance to delegate, resulting in leaders expending excessive time on draining tasks. Consequently, they allocate insufficient attention to endeavors that could propel their company or department to new strategic heights. Despite being aware of the importance of prioritization, leaders often find themselves mired in day-to-day firefighting and operational duties. This leaves them feeling unfulfilled, fatigued, and demoralized, ultimately leading to a lack of vision and strategic execution within their domains. As a seasoned leader and coach specializing in leadership development, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of effective coaching. I work closely with leaders to identify their unique challenges and unlock their full potential. Together, we explore the barriers to delegation and develop tailored strategies to overcome them. It's worth noting that these challenges aren't exclusive to inexperienced leaders; even seasoned professionals struggle with effective delegation. Despite possessing the requisite knowledge and skills, they fall into the trap of believing certain tasks cannot be delegated. However, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that delegation is both feasible and imperative. The transformative moment occurs when this realization crystallizes for leaders. They become proactive in identifying delegation opportunities, spurred by the understanding that there is always a solution. In a short period, the burdensome tasks dissipate, allowing them to immerse themselves in the fulfilling and stimulating aspects of their roles. Returning home invigorated and satisfied, they exude a newfound sense of purpose and joy. Witnessing this metamorphosis reaffirms my belief that I am engaged in the most rewarding career imaginable, guiding leaders toward success and fulfillment ❤️

As I look back on the past year and a half in my current leadership role, I can't help but feel grateful for the incredible lessons and experiences that have shaped me so far while also recognizing the challenges I've faced. Firstly, I've come to embrace the idea that I'm not just here to work; I'm here to serve. This mindset has become my guiding star, helping me navigate through the challenges and complexities of my day-to-day tasks and my organization. Having a clear mission to work towards, even during moments of frustration, gives me renewed purpose and the motivation to push beyond what I thought was possible. I must admit, though, there are still times when I struggle to fully embody this perspective but it has held true for the most part. One of the most profound shifts I've experienced is becoming more empathetic towards my superiors, both past and present. There were moments when I would judge or fail to fully understand their decisions. If I am being honest, that still happens. Stepping into this leadership role has opened my eyes to the immense challenges they face and the weight of responsibility that comes with leading others and shaping their growth. It's a responsibility that should never be taken lightly. Throughout this journey, I've learned that leadership often resides in the gray areas. Rarely are there easy black-and-white decisions to make. Navigating the complexities of leading people requires adaptability, understanding, and a willingness to embrace ambiguity. I must confess, it can be quite challenging not to have a clear answer or direction at times. Leadership also means that you cannot lose sight of the organization’s well being and success either. Both need to be balanced. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I still have to learn. This realization has ignited a hunger within me to understand and improve. I'll be honest, there are moments when I question my effectiveness as a leader, as I make my fair share of mistakes—so many, in fact. However, I've also come to recognize that growth and progress are not linear. I've undoubtedly come a long way since I started this journey. If there's one thing I bring to the table, it's trust and transparency. Cultivating an environment of openness and authenticity has proven invaluable in building strong relationships with my team. When it comes to my success so far, I attribute it to the collaborative efforts of my team members. They deserve the credit for their spectacular work, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside them. Lastly, I have yet to learn to be disciplined when it comes to striking a work life balance. Work is relentless and never ending. I guarantee you no one from work remembers the long hours in the last year and a half but I can tell you that my family does. If I am failing at this, how do I lead others in this area to take care of themselves? #leadershipjourney #servantleadership #continuousgrowth