Today’s business leaders are pulled in so many different directions as they lead organizations. From navigating rapid change to meeting the demands of home—leaders experience a profound amount of pressure to be all things to all people.
Transformative leaders lead from their center instead of their circumstances so they can work from a place of calm, clarity, and conviction.
In today’s episode, Tricia and I are joined by Amy Balog, the CEO of Connextion Point, who has worked with Fortune 500 executives and their teams to help these highly talented folks find a clear pathway for higher return leadership behaviors that directly impact business performance.
She’s here to help us understand how to achieve those same results.
Here are some takeaways she shared:
1. If you don't understand why you are motivated the way you are, it's more difficult to succeed as a leader.
A deep understanding of our motivations is essential for effective leadership. When we're unaware of our true drivers, external circumstances can easily sway our decisions and actions.
Centered leaders, on the other hand, are grounded in their core values and motivations. This strong foundation enables them to navigate life's challenges with greater resilience and make a more significant impact.
By taking the time to understand ourselves at a deeper level, we can build a stronger leadership foundation and make more informed choices.
2. So many people use busyness to hide who they are.
Many people use busyness as a way to hide who they are. Amy Balog calls this 'busy asleep.' They're essentially sleeping through life using busyness to mask their true selves. This can have a negative toll both emotionally and physically.
It's important to remember that while it's okay to love your work, excessive busyness can lead to a loss of self. To avoid this, prioritize self-connection. Understanding your inner self is crucial for making informed decisions and avoiding burnout.
Ignoring your true self can lead to physical and emotional problems. Practices like meditation and journaling can help you reconnect. Before making big changes, take the time to find your center. It's worth it.
3. We're always evolving.
Personal growth is a lifelong journey. As you become more centered as a leader, it's essential to revisit the questions that helped you reach this point. Self-discovery is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Just as our lives evolve, so do our values and motivations.
Regularly reflecting on our 'center' allows us to stay aligned with our authentic selves and continue to grow as individuals. This ongoing introspection helps us navigate life's challenges with greater clarity and purpose.
In a world that often demands we be everything to everyone, it's more important than ever to lead from our center. By understanding our motivations, connecting with our true selves, and embracing personal growth, we can navigate challenges with greater resilience and make a lasting impact.
Download Amy’s guide, Leading from the Center, Not Your Circumstances, to get started.
And then, consider these follow-up questions.
How would you describe being “centered” as a leader?
What motivates you as a leader? What drives you? What is healthy and unhealthy about those motivations?
What type of questions can you ask yourself to become more centered?
As a leader, how could you help your team find their center?