Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Vulnerability

Welcome to another edition of Illustrating Leadership, where we bring you insights from some of the most thoughtful and experienced leaders in the field. Today, we are thrilled to share a conversation with Joanna Kozlowski, a remarkable leader with a diverse background spanning teaching, architecture, engineering, and consulting. Joanna's journey unveils a refreshing perspective on leadership, mentorship, and values, especially relevant in today’s evolving work culture.

 

From Teaching to Consulting: Joanna's Unique Leadership Journey

 

As Joanna recounts, "My first career was in teaching and training. My second career was in architecture, engineering, and construction, leading teams, working in marketing and business development. And then about six and a half years ago, I decided to take those threads and weave a whole new carpet and start my own consulting practice."

 

Embracing Leadership without a Single Role Model

 

A significant theme in the conversation with Joanna was the challenge of stepping into leadership roles without a clear, singular role model to emulate. Joanna shares, "What happens if you find yourself in a leadership role, and you don't necessarily have that shiny example of a person? How do you turn that into something inspiring for your own leadership?"

 

Joanna’s answer lies in the power of synthesizing various influences: "Reflect on how that's influenced your leadership… take pieces from everyone you've worked with, whether they were good or bad to work with… It takes a level of grace, intentionality, reflection, and patience to actually stop and think about what you're seeing."

 

Vulnerability as a Leadership Strength

 

In a candid discussion about vulnerability in leadership, Joanna emphasizes the importance of being transparent about mistakes and growth. "If we don't share our mistakes, we miss an opportunity to share our growth. Because if we got it right every single time from the first time, there's very little achievement in that."

 

Joanna’s perspective aligns with the emerging leadership model where leaders are more human and relatable. She notes, "The leaders we tend to connect with most are the ones who understand they're leading humans and are very vulnerable and transparent about their own humanity to the level that's appropriate."

 

The Impact of Context and Family on Leadership

 

Delving into her own upbringing, Joanna reflects on the influence of her culturally diverse background and her parents' leadership styles. "I grew up in British colonies and former colonies… My dad's a now-retired engineer who was very ambitious… My mom always had a job and her leadership skills showed up in civic responsibilities, in volunteering."

 

Her experiences underscore the notion that leadership is not only about embracing inherited values but also about consciously shaping them through personal growth and learning from various environments.

 

Defining and Living by Your Values

 

A critical aspect of effective leadership, as highlighted by Joanna, is defining personal values. "It is really important to me to be kind. It is not particularly important to me to be nice. Kindness or lack of kindness meant that there were mixed messages, a lack of clarity."

 

Joanna’s focused approach to her values allows her to lead with clarity, consistency, and courage. She emphasizes the importance of introspection and alignment in defining what truly matters to an individual and an organization.

 

Leadership in Practice: Teaching, Mentorship, and Beyond

 

Joanna’s love for teaching continues to be a significant part of her consulting practice. "Teaching was my first love. I have a degree in English literature with a minor in sociology... For me, teaching is like flying. It's a superpower. I love it."

 

Her dedication to teaching and mentorship reflects her commitment to fostering growth and development in others. Joanna's work includes leading retreats, facilitating, and providing professional development training, all aimed at helping ambitious professionals hone their leadership skills.

 

Conclusion: Embrace Your Unique Leadership Journey

 

Joanna Kozlowski’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership is a journey shaped by diverse experiences, intentional growth, and authentic values. By embracing vulnerability, synthesizing various influences, and staying true to core values, each of us can navigate our unique path to effective leadership.

 

To connect with Joanna and learn more about her work, visit Resolute Consulting’s website and follow her on LinkedIn! Joanna's passion for helping leaders find their voices and refine their skills makes her a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their leadership journey.

 

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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