Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Rebellion & Resilience
Release Date: 09/18/2024
Illustrating Leadership
In this solo episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I explore one of the most essential—and often most challenging—skills for leaders: feedback. Whether you’re offering it or receiving it, feedback can stir up discomfort, self-doubt, or defensiveness. But when it’s done well, it becomes one of the strongest tools we have for building trust, growth, and connection on our teams. Reframing Feedback as a Leadership Tool Many leaders approach feedback as if it’s inherently negative or confrontational, but feedback is simply information. It’s not a judgment of your...
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In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Marianna Kinnee, founder of Might in Motion and Director of Facility Implementation at Vector. Marianna’s career journey—from internships in manufacturing to leadership in the tech startup and supply chain space—illustrates the power of diverse perspectives, intentional mentorship, and data-driven decision-making in shaping modern leadership. Learning from Internships and Early Lessons Marianna’s leadership story began with two pivotal internships. At a paper mill, she discovered that while chemical engineering...
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Emotions as Leadership Data: Turning Feelings Into Your Secret Advantage So often, leaders are told: don’t let emotions get in the way, keep it professional, stick to the facts. But here’s the truth—emotions are facts. They’re physiological, neurological, and deeply tied to how we make decisions, build trust, and experience the world. In this solo episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I shared why emotions aren’t a liability—they’re information. And if you know how to interpret them, you gain a powerful edge in leading yourself and others. Emotions Are Signposts, Not...
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In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, Jessica welcomes Robin Fisher, a personal stylist and image coach, to discuss the impact of personal style on confidence and leadership. Robin shares insights from her 16-year career as the CEO and founder of Polished Image and Style, an image consulting and styling firm based in DC. Listeners will learn about the importance of showing up authentically, building a capsule wardrobe, and working within budgets to enhance their professional presence. Robin also offers practical tips for leaders on how to refine their personal style,...
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Being an effective leader, whether in your own venture or within an organization, requires adaptability and strategic thinking. On this episode of the Illustrating Leadership podcast, we caught up with Michelle MacNeil, a systems business coach with a unique perspective shaped by her dual life as a businesswoman and farmer in Alberta, Canada. Michelle's journey and insights offer invaluable lessons on how systems can transform challenges into opportunities, offering leaders the freedom and efficiency they crave. Understanding Systems: The Backbone of Efficiency Michelle shared her...
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Please enjoy this incredible conversation with Maggie Kang, a Healthcare and Life coach, and former radiologist. Maggie's journey reflects growth through life-altering challenges and can offer valuable lessons for everyone. The Unexpected Journey Maggie shares an intimate and heartfelt narrative about her daughter, Nell, who was diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum disease, a rare neurological autoimmune disorder. This diagnosis marked the beginning of a challenging chapter for Maggie and her family, as they navigated the complexities of living with a rare and incurable disease. As...
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Thanks for listening to this conversation with Anna Larson, a Gallup-certified CliftonStrengths coach and marketing strategist. Her insights on leveraging personal and team strengths provide a roadmap for leaders aiming to enhance both personal and group performance. Discovering Your CliftonStrengths The CliftonStrengths assessment, developed by Don Clifton, offers a transformative approach to self-awareness and team dynamics. With over 33 million completions, this robust tool evaluates 34 strengths, grouping them into four categories: executing, influencing, relationship building, and...
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We're diving deep into the topic of breathing – something we all do but often overlook in terms of its importance and nuances. Surprisingly, effective breathing can have a profound impact on our leadership capabilities and overall well-being. Breathing 101: The Science Behind the Breath Hamra starts by breaking down the basics of breathing and respiration. Breathing is a mechanical process of taking air into the lungs and releasing it, while respiration involves the gas exchange between oxygen and carbon dioxide. Through our breaths, air travels from the nose to the lungs,...
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Meet Michele Thompson Michele brings a wealth of knowledge from her 27 years as a nurse, with 17 of those specifically in the senior care sector. Her mission today is to help organizations and their leaders create psychologically safe workplaces where employees never want to leave. Beyond Job Titles: Redefining Leadership Leadership, as Michele emphasizes, is more than just a job title—it’s an influence that extends across all areas of life. During the podcast, Michele redefined leadership by sharing how nurses and healthcare workers demonstrated exceptional leadership during the...
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As a leader, it's difficult to get enough rest, let alone good quality sleep. Many of us find ourselves trapped in a cycle of sleeplessness, stress, and compromised productivity. On this episode of the Illustrating Leadership podcast, I had the pleasure of hosting Monica LeBaron, a seasoned sleep coach and author of . Our conversation shed light on the transformative power of sleep and how leaders can harness it to enhance their personal and professional lives. Meet Monica LeBaron: From Personal Struggle to Sleep Expert Monica's journey into the world of sleep coaching began with her personal...
info_outlineWelcome to the Illustrating Leadership podcast! Today, I'm delighted to introduce you to Heather Simpson, the dynamic founder and CEO of Her Connection Hub. Heather has cultivated a thriving community that serves as a workspace and a hub of inspiration and collaboration. Beyond her impressive professional accomplishments, Heather brings extensive experience in leadership and training leaders to our conversation.
Building A Community of Visionaries
As I shared in our opening chat, Heather's *Her Connection Hub* isn't just a place to work; it's truly a community of visionary people pursuing their goals and dreams. This space does more than provide a desk – it forges connections and promotes collaborative growth among entrepreneurs, side hustlers, and remote workers alike.
A Rebel With A Cause
One of the most intriguing parts of our conversation revolved around Heather's rebellious nature. While the word "rebel" might conjure images of defiance, for Heather, it represents the courageous questioning of norms and boundaries. This “rebel” spirit has been crucial in her journey as an entrepreneur, driving her to challenge limitations and pursue her vision unapologetically.
The Power of Questioning
Heather believes that every entrepreneur harbors a bit of that rebellious spirit—the audacity to ask, "Why can't I do this?" It's about pushing boundaries and seeking possibilities where others see walls. This concept resonated deeply during our discussion, especially when Heather highlighted how this mindset fuels significant growth both personally and professionally.
Resilience & Leadership
Another core topic we dived into was resilience. Building resilience, according to Heather, is about more than just enduring hardships—it's an active, continual process of moving forward and making decisions. Leadership, she notes, is essentially an inside job, one that relies heavily on emotional intelligence and the ability to learn from every experience, especially failures.
Developing Resilience
Heather shared that resilience involves constantly making decisions and moving through challenges rather than avoiding them. Indecision can hold us back, but by making the best decisions we can with the information available, we build the confidence to handle setbacks. This process strengthens us and hones our skills, better preparing us for future challenges.
Family and Rebellion
As parents, many of our listeners might find Heather's approach to fostering resilience and rebellion in her children incredibly insightful. Heather encourages her kids to explore, understand, and trust their own instincts. She provides guidance but allows them the space to discover their paths, a practice that has helped her daughter confidently pursue her dreams.
Looking Forward: Shattering Glass
Heather is working on an exciting new project—a book titled "Shattering Glass," set to release later this fall. This book encapsulates her journey and insights into overcoming resistance and breaking through personal and professional barriers. Heather encourages everyone facing resistance to lean into it, as it often signals a significant opportunity for growth and success.
Connect With Heather
To stay updated with Heather’s latest projects and insights, follow her on Instagram @HerConnectionHub and @WeShatterGlass.
Your host, Jessica Wright, is a Life & Career Development Coach for Leaders and the Founder of Wright Life Coaching, LLC. You can follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram. Learn more about Leadership Masterclass, the private podcast and community at www.jessicawright.online/leadership-masterclass.
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