Whether we’re seasoned leaders, new leaders, leaders at work, in our community, at home–leaders of many, or simply the leader of our own life–everyone needs to have the capacity for accountability, reciprocity, and empathy required to lead responsibly. To lead with C.A.R.E., we must engage in sincere self-reflection, build self-awareness, nurture authentic self-acceptance and practice personal accountability of the deepest kind. This in turn, will take courage, humility, and mindfulness.
I often notice the desire to completely separate the personal from the professional. But here’s the thing, there’s no such thing as professional development without personal growth. The path to lasting personal growth is rooted in self-love. The internal motivation for growth that self-love generates is more powerful than external motivators because when external motivators drive, we’re more likely to experience a sense of obligation that can lead to a fizzling out of our growth efforts.
As simple as it may read, many of us know that experiencing unwavering self-love can sometimes be far from easy. Deepening or rekindling a connection with ourselves requires courage, committed action, and patience. And I guarantee, it’s worth it. Because, restoring care for ourselves will unfurl our capacity to care about others-perhaps in new ways, perhaps with a renewed sense of reciprocity. And care is at the center of responsible leadership.
When we’re ready to embark on that journey, a coach is there to move alongside us, to hold up a mirror so that we may see our courage. A coach is there to nurture our practice into habit, and when we’re feeling impatient, to remind us that personal growth is about staying on the path.
If you’re ready to take your leadership to its next level, book a discovery call to get started.