Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Loneliness
Illustrating Leadership
“It’s lonely at the top.” It is a phrase most leaders have heard and many have quietly felt. Especially for new and emerging leaders, that loneliness can feel heavy. You are the one people come to for answers. You are expected to project confidence and clarity, even when you feel unsure, overwhelmed, or exhausted. You carry confidential information you cannot fully share. You navigate decisions others never see. Over time, leadership can begin to feel isolating. But leadership does not have to be lonely. In this solo episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I explore why...
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Aligning Your Inner & Outer Life
Illustrating Leadership
Some of the most impactful leaders in our lives do not come with titles, corner offices, or formal authority. They enter our lives through relationship. They challenge us, ground us, mirror us, and sometimes even break our hearts before helping us put ourselves back together with more clarity, self-trust, and wholeness. That truth sat at the center of this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, where I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Brenda Brummond, an intuitive business coach for female entrepreneurs. What unfolded was not just a conversation about leadership, but about...
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Leading Different Personality Types
Illustrating Leadership
One of the most important and most overlooked truths about leadership is this: your team does not think like you. And while that realization can feel uncomfortable at first, it is actually one of your greatest opportunities as a leader. Leadership is not about getting everyone to work the way you do. It is about understanding how they work and creating the conditions for each person to thrive. In this solo episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I explore what it really means to lead different personality types with awareness, empathy, and flexibility, without losing your own...
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Authenticity Leads to Trust
Illustrating Leadership
In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I sat down with Cindy Spratt, a holistic nutritionist who supports women in rebuilding peaceful relationships with food, body, and self. Cindy’s story offers a powerful reminder that leadership is not about fitting into a predefined mold. It is about knowing who you are, honoring your values, and creating trust through authenticity. The Leader Who Gave Permission to Be Real Cindy shared the story of a leader who deeply influenced her path, Meghan Telpner, founder of the Academy of Culinary Nutrition. While Cindy initially sought Meghan...
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Finding your guiding light
Illustrating Leadership
When leadership feels steady, it’s easy to move forward with confidence. But most leaders don’t struggle when things are going well — they struggle when things feel messy, unclear, stressful, or conflicting. When you’re pulled in too many directions, when decisions feel heavier than usual, or when something simply hasn’t gone well in your organization or business. In those moments, it’s tempting to look for more information. Another article. Another framework. Another opinion. But what gets leaders through those seasons isn’t more information. It’s clarity. It’s alignment....
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Reframing Failure
Illustrating Leadership
In this solo episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I explore one of the most important and least discussed realities of leadership: failure. Every leader will experience it. The question is not if it will happen, but how you respond when it does. Failure does not mean you are a bad leader. It does not define your character, your capability, or your future. What it does offer is an invitation to reflect, learn, and lead with integrity and resilience. Separating Who You Are from What Happened One of the most damaging patterns leaders fall into after a misstep is personalization. A...
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Belief Sparks Possibility
Illustrating Leadership
In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I spoke with Pam Miller, a Life and Health Transitional Coach whose leadership story perfectly illustrates the transformative power of one person’s belief. Pam shared a defining moment from her twenties. A moment when fear was holding her back, her confidence was shrinking, and she fully intended to say no to an opportunity that terrified her. But one leader saw something in her she couldn’t yet see in herself. That single moment changed the entire trajectory of her life. When Fear Keeps Us Small In her twenties, Pam worked...
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Trusting Yourself as a Leader
Illustrating Leadership
In this solo episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I dive into one of the most essential, and most underrated, leadership skills you can ever develop: self-trust. Leadership will always include moments where the decision, the responsibility, or the next step ultimately rests on you. And in those moments, the voice you trust matters. But for many new and emerging leaders, that inner voice is clouded by fear, doubt, overthinking, or the urge to please others. In this episode, I walk through how to recognize and redirect your saboteurs, tune into your intuition, release...
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: Leading With Softness
Illustrating Leadership
In this episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I had the joy of speaking with Jodi Gagne, Energy coach, EFT practitioner, and former theater stage manager and wedding planner. Jodi’s career path is anything but linear, and that’s exactly what makes her leadership insights so powerful. From high-pressure environments where there are no second chances to the deeply introspective world of energy coaching, Jodi’s story teaches us that leadership isn’t just about strength, structure, or decisiveness. It’s also about softness, self-trust, and the courage to explore what’s...
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Illustrating Leadership Lesson: The Power of the Pause
Illustrating Leadership
A lot of new leaders feel pressure to have the right answer right away. And a lot of seasoned leaders get into trouble when they succomb to this pressure. In this solo episode of the Illustrating Leadership Podcast, I explore one of the most underestimated leadership tools out there: the pause. We live in a world that rewards speed. Fast replies, quick decisions, and constant motion. But some of the best leadership moves come not from rushing forward, but from taking a breath, slowing down, and leading with intention. Quick Doesn’t Always Mean Effective We often glorify leaders who...
info_outlineAs 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 Sleep Simplified. 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 struggles. Born and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico, Monica navigated a successful career in business that took her to China. However, the pressures of life led her to experience anxiety, depression, and insomnia. With time, Monica discovered simple tools that turned her life around, igniting her passion to help others achieve the same.
The Role of Sleep in Leadership
In our discussion, Monica emphasized the importance of sleep, especially for leaders balancing multiple responsibilities. Leaders often face immense pressure, which can disrupt sleep and, in turn, impact performance. Sleep, according to Monica, acts as the "secret sauce for success," allowing the body to restore and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Common Sleep Challenges and Solutions
Monica highlighted several barriers to sleep, with a surprising focus on mindset. Leaders often feel guilty about resting, believing they must continually push their limits. Creativity can also keep minds buzzing late into the night. Monica suggested practical solutions, such as Yoga Nidra, an exercise providing an hour's worth of rest in just ten minutes. She also recommended practices like journaling to offload thoughts and make room for rest.
Crafting a Personalized Sleep Routine
Understanding the effectiveness of personalized solutions, Monica provides tailored sleep routines, focusing on individual needs. Her approach includes identifying the root causes of sleep disturbances and creating a simple, practical plan for improvement.
Embrace the Seasons of Life
To achieve restful nights, Monica advises recognizing the various cycles in life—be it the weather, personal milestones, or even hormonal changes. By understanding these cycles, leaders can better anticipate and accommodate their unique sleep needs.
About Sleep Simplified
Monica's book, Sleep Simplified, is an accessible guide offering tools to reduce sleep anxiety and finish the stress cycle. This resource is designed to be practical, with lessons that take only a few pages to digest, making it perfect for those short on time but keen to improve their sleep.
Free Resource: Yoga Nidra Audio
Monica generously offers complimentary access to her Yoga Nidra recording, a perfect tool for those struggling with sleep onset or nighttime awakenings. This audio guide requires no Wi-Fi, allowing for restful practices anytime, anywhere.
Connect with Monica
Monica's insights emphasize that leaders deserve rest just as much as they deserve success. By embracing customized sleep strategies, they can elevate their leadership capabilities and unlock their full potential. To learn more about Monica's work and how to start your journey to better sleep, check out her website, read her book, and follow her on Instagram!
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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