As a college student six months pregnant with my first son, I faced unimaginable grief when my 18-year-old brother passed away from cancer just after high school. It wasn't my first major life crisis, but balancing profound loss with new responsibilities taught me invaluable lessons in grace, focus, and supporting those around me. My professors offered compassion, yet life demanded I press forward.
Years later, in 2012 at age 28 and recovering from back surgery, I confronted my severe overweight condition. Committed to change, I prioritized my health: I trained consistently with my husband, took bold steps in the gym, and shed over 50 pounds. This transformation brought sharper focus, greater calm, and unshakeable confidence.
These pivotal moments profoundly shaped my leadership as president of my company. Emerging stronger from losing my brother and breaking unhealthy cycles, I developed a fresh approach to engaging teams. As the saying goes, turning lemons into lemonade—one seed at a time.
When adversity strikes, you choose: retreat or rise and take risks. My mantra, “Nothing changes if nothing changes,” drives me. Stepping beyond comfort zones unlocks potential, from running 5Ks to speaking to large audiences—limited only by mindset.
After my son's birth, I leapt into a startup role with just baking and customer service experience. Remembering my brother's untaken opportunities fueled my courage. That decision proved transformative, built on resilience from emotional and physical trials.
Regardless of your struggles, these principles can elevate your career. Here are three proven steps I've applied as a leader:
1. Seek peer feedback and embrace it gracefully.
Peers observe you closely but won't share insights unprompted. Ask thoughtfully to understand perceptions and set growth goals. My go-to questions:
Schedule regular check-ins, like my monthly one-on-ones documented in GoCo for mutual reference.
2. Observe your surroundings keenly.
Your environment reveals tomorrow's opportunities. As a leader, does progress continue in your absence? As a team member, can others handle your responsibilities? Listen actively, curb assumptions, seek facts, and welcome diverse ideas.
Pause thoughtfully—milliseconds or seconds, tailored to context—to process cues. Foster openness: I conduct exit interviews and encourage unprompted ideas. Without addressing blind spots, we limit our impact.
3. Prioritize self-care daily.
I carve out 90 minutes each morning for reflection on yesterday's wins and today's priorities, plus three weekly pre-dawn workouts. This builds positivity amid workplace stress.
I urge my team to do the same. Without reflection and recharge—via podcasts, exercise, family time, or meditation—mental clarity and productivity suffer. Pursue what fuels you.
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Maximize impact with diverse tools. Peak App hones my cognition through fun, challenging games that boost creativity and curiosity—perfect for leaders combating doubt and inspiring teams.
Our past blends triumph and trial, but action propels us forward. Leverage experiences to lead better.
Related: 5 Exemplary Leadership Practices
