Watchout spoiler, my personal answer to this question is “HELL, YES!”.
You are demanding, tough, sharp, direct, fair, hard-working, action-oriented, unleashing the potential of every single person you get in touch with. People knock at your door to be part of your team. And it keeps surprising you.
For as long as we worked together, I never saw you compromise on who you are.
Yet, you admit you wonder what piece of advice to gift those new leaders who want to climb the corporate ladder. What are the rules of the game? How much do they need to lose themselves on the path to “success”?
In my view, leadership starts by owning who you are. Fully. With your strengths and the dark side of the force. Not shying away from your successes and celebrating your failures.
This is about authenticity and vulnerability.
This is about your YOU-NESS.
That spark that makes you stand out of the crowd. That magic touch that attracts and inspires others.
How much are you ready to compromise on this?
If the environment you are in prevents you from being your true self, look for another environment where you can express who you are. I unfortunately still see too many people hiding their truth under the excuse they have “to fit in” (to make money, to feel recognized, loved, powerful, etc)
And they are miserable. I personally will not knock at their door to be part of their team.
If you want to call yourself a leader, this is your duty to inspire, guide and help others to play full out. This is your duty to create other leaders.
And you can only succeed on that path if you heartfully, generously, vulnerably, authentically and with a lot of humility show YOUR TRUE COLORS at work.
Despite your doubts, fear, and resistance. And despite what others might think.
Tell me … what is ONE insight reading this?
Love,
Delphine