Heather Redisch’s Post

Sometimes staying silent is your best move as a leader. People tend to think of leadership, especially in large organizations as: decisive action, assertiveness, chiming in and knowing what to say at all times. But, I've found that some of the most impactful moments in leadership come not from what we say, but from what we don't say. Silence in leadership isn't about being aloof or disengaged, uninterested or mysterious. It's a deliberate practice that can lead to deeper understanding, more thoughtful decision-making, and better team dynamics. Here's why your silence matters as a leader: It Creates Space for Others: When leaders step back and remain silent, it creates room for others to step forward. This not only empowers your team but also surfaces diverse perspectives that might otherwise remain unheard. It Enhances Listening: True listening isn't just waiting for your turn to speak. It's about fully absorbing what others are saying without immediately formulating a response. Silence allows for this deeper level of listening. It Promotes Reflection: In the pause that silence creates, there's space for reflection. This can lead to more thoughtful responses, new thinking and better decisions. It Builds Trust: When you're not rushing to fill every silence, you demonstrate confidence and trust in your team. This can significantly boost psychological safety. It Increases Impact: When you do speak after a period of silence, your words carry more weight. People are more likely to pay attention and take your message seriously. It Reduces Reactivity: Silence gives us a moment to process our emotions, reducing the likelihood of reactive responses that we might later regret. It Encourages Independence: When leaders aren't always jumping in with answers and trying to rescue people, they encourage the team’s autonomy. Are you skilled at silence and sitting with the discomfort of not controlling the room or the outcome? Or do you move to fill it up and shape it as quickly as possible? #silence #mindfulness #effectivecommunication #teamdynamics #dancingthroughchange (Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash)

Forget the formalities of what we often paint as #leadership. It’s time to face the unvarnished truths in our corridors. This kind echoes a story that is too common in workplaces – feeling invisible, creativity crushed under the weight of controlling leadership. I'm throwing down a challenge for those daring to lead authentically: Step 1: Gather Unfiltered Feedback - Organize an anonymous feedback process. Be it through surveys or anonymous notes, let your team express themselves freely. - Questions to ask: "How can I improve? Do I walk my talk? Can you honestly express yourself without fear?" - Choose Your State. When you read their words, it might hit like a gut punch. "That’s BS! I’m not like that at all!" Write these reactions down – this is where your journey in raw leadership begins. Step 2: Get Together as a Team (Zoom, In-Person) MAKE THIS FUN!!! - Share the team's feedback and your immediate reaction with your team. Then comes the tough part – active listening. And I mean listen. If it helps, imagine taping your mouth shut! No justifying, no explaining. - Let your team steer the ship. They create the improvement plan from the diagnostic tool’s revelations. Your role? Back off and let them lead. Step 3: Live Their Plan, Test Your Ego - Put into action the plan they’ve crafted. Pick someone in that room to be your reality check, your nudge when you stray off course. - Now, ponder on this – how does it feel to have someone else think for you, plan for you, and act on your behalf? It's a raw, real look in the leadership mirror. Does it sting? Is it humble? Does it liberate? True leadership is peeled back, and laid bare. It’s not commanding from a high tower but walking in the trenches, being vulnerable enough to say, "Lead me." Who's brave enough to embrace this stark reality? P.S. #Employees, you’re not just included; you're essential to this. Tag, repost and share with a leader you’re confident will dive into the trenches with us. Let's see who's ready to walking the walk! 😎

Have a great week ahead!! Colossians 3:12-13 Effective leadership requires more than just strategic thinking and decision-making. It calls for true compassion—a deep understanding and empathy for those we lead. But how do we balance this compassion with the need to set and maintain healthy boundaries? Here are some thoughts: 1. Compassion is Key True compassion in leadership is about genuinely caring for the well-being of your team. It's about listening to their concerns, understanding their challenges, and supporting their growth. When team members feel valued and understood, they are more likely to be motivated, engaged, and productive. 2. The Importance of Boundaries While compassion is essential, so is the ability to set clear boundaries. Boundaries help prevent burnout, ensure clarity in roles and responsibilities, and foster a healthy work environment. They protect your time and energy, allowing you to be the best leader you can be. 3. Finding the Balance Balancing compassion and boundaries involves: - Communicating Clearly: Set clear expectations and be transparent about what you can and cannot do. This helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures everyone is on the same page. - Being Approachable Yet Firm: Encourage open communication and be approachable, but also know when to say no or delegate tasks to maintain balance. - Self-Care: Prioritize your well-being. A leader who is overwhelmed or burnt out cannot effectively lead with compassion. - Empowering Your Team: Trust your team to take ownership of their tasks. This not only builds their confidence but also creates a sense of accountability and independence. 4. Leading by Example As leaders, we must model the behavior we wish to see. Show compassion in your interactions, but also demonstrate the importance of boundaries by respecting your own limits and those of others. 5. Continuous Learning Leadership is an evolving journey. Stay open to learning and adapting. Seek feedback from your team and be willing to adjust your approach as needed. By integrating true compassion with firm boundaries, we can create a supportive and productive work environment where everyone thrives. Let's lead with empathy, clarity, and strength. 💪✨ #Leadership #Compassion #Boundaries #TeamWork #EmployeeWellbeing #EffectiveLeadership #ProfessionalGrowth

The comment stung. “Why would anyone listen to an actor about leadership?” This was a person who knew I had an MBA and a marketing career. But some in the corporate world see my acting experience as novel, at best—frivolous and irrelevant, at worst. Yet, being a professional performer taught me important skills I regularly help leaders with: ⚡️ Listening: Actors and leaders excel when they truly listen. It’s about understanding the nuances and unspoken words. ⚡️ Emotional Regulation: Like great actors, great leaders manage their emotions—to connect rather than react impulsively. ⚡️ Rehearsal & Preparation: A well-rehearsed actor is like a well-prepared leader—poised to deliver a performance that captivates and motivates. ⚡️ Playing Roles: Leaders, like actors, often step into different roles, authentically. They adapt their style to meet the needs of stakeholders and the moment. ⚡️ Empathy: The ability to understand others' perspectives is crucial in both the boardroom and on stage. ⚡️ Making Decisions that Make a Difference: In acting and leadership, indecision is the bane of progress. Clear, bold, and well conceived decisions propel the story—and the business—forward. Sometimes a fresh approach to strengthening leadership skills works best to help create the changes you want to make. Is there a resource for growth/development you've overlooked or dismissed because it's unconventional?

We’ve been told that empathy is the   🌟"Holy Grail”🌠 of leadership.    But…    Too much empathy can destroy your leadership. Let me explain.👇 When leaders are drowned in empathy,   👉 They don’t just absorb emotions— 👉 They absorb the team’s problems. 👉 They become overly sensitive to other's feelings.    And here’s what happens next:    1️⃣ Burnout: You carry everyone’s emotional baggage until you’re too exhausted to lead.    Sounds noble, right?   But at what cost to YOU?    2️⃣ Bias in Decision-Making:   You start playing favourites. So you make decisions based on "feelings" instead of facts.    The result? Your entire team suffers because you’re protecting the wrong people.    3️⃣ Avoiding Accountability: You’re too scared to hold people accountable because you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings.    Newsflash:   ✅ Growth requires discomfort.  🚫 No accountability=  ❌ No growth.   🔴 Period.    And it gets worse...    4️⃣ Compromising Boundaries:  Empathy can blur the lines between leader and team, turning you into their "Therapist".⚕    Professionalism? Gone. Objectivity? Gone.    5️⃣ Encouraging Dependency: Your team stops solving problems themselves. Why?    Because they know you’ll "carry their weight" for them. 6️⃣ Paralysis in Tough Situations: When it’s time to make hard decisions, you freeze.    You’d rather keep everyone happy than make the "tough calls" that drive progress.    Too much empathy = weak leadership. It’s time to stop romanticizing empathy and recognize its dark side. 💡 True leadership?   ✅ It’s about finding the balance. 🛑 Stop being overwhelmed by empathy. ✔ Learn to lead with compassion. And not at the expense of your team's performance. Is empathy making leaders too soft? 👇Share your thoughts! ✅ Follow me Are you ready to lead with both heart and impact? 👉 P.S. People-first leadership finds the balance—leading with compassion, but also with the strength to make hard decisions when needed. Let’s connect and explore how people-first leadership can help you master that balance and transform your team. ⬆ Book a FREE 30 min 1:1 Today! ⬆ #management #empathy #innovation

You're the boss. The buck stops with you. When it's time to make a big call, all eyes turn to the head of the table. It's a heavy responsibility. And it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you have to go it alone. But what if I told you that the key to making game-changing decisions isn't in your own head? What if the secret weapon was right under your nose, in the minds of your team? I used to think that being a strong leader meant having all the answers. That admitting uncertainty or asking for input was a sign of weakness. Boy, was I wrong. It wasn't until I started actively seeking out diverse perspectives that my decision-making skills went from good to great. I started setting up brainstorming sessions, encouraging even the quietest voices to speak up. And you know what? The floodgates opened. Suddenly, I had access to a wealth of insights and experiences I'd never considered. Ideas that challenged my assumptions, poked holes in my logic, and opened up new possibilities. Sure, not every suggestion was a winner. But by listening with an open mind and really considering each perspective, I was able to craft more nuanced, well-rounded strategies. And the best part? My team felt heard. They felt valued. They knew that their opinions mattered and that they had a real stake in the success of the company. That kind of buy-in is priceless. It's the fuel that turns a good team into a great one, a great company into an unstoppable force. So next time you're faced with a big decision, don't go it alone. Tap into the collective wisdom of your people. Listen more than you speak. Consider ideas that make you uncomfortable. And watch as your choices get sharper and your strategies get smarter. #Leadership #TeamWisdom #DiversePerspectives

Have you had a leader who truly connected with you emotionally? 🌟 In today’s chaotic business world, leaders with emotional intelligence (EQ) are the real game-changers. They don’t just manage, they understand and connect. 🚀 Think about it: when was the last time you worked with a leader who truly understood how you were feeling? How did that make you feel about your work and your relationship with that leader? Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions and those of others. It's about being aware of how our emotions impact our behavior and decision-making, and how they influence the people around us. 🧠💡 Leaders who possess high EQ are able to create a positive and inclusive work environment, build strong and trusting relationships, and inspire their teams to achieve greatness. They are empathetic, adaptable, and skilled communicators. They know that acknowledging and validating their team members' feelings is not a sign of weakness, but rather a strength that fosters collaboration and boosts productivity. 💪🤝 So, how can you develop your emotional intelligence as a leader? Here are a few tips to get you started: 1️⃣ Practice self-awareness: Take the time to reflect on your own emotions, triggers, and patterns of behavior. Understand how your emotions impact your decision-making and interactions with others. 2️⃣ Listen actively: Pay attention to the emotions and non-verbal cues of your team members. Show genuine interest and empathy when they share their thoughts and feelings. 3️⃣ Provide feedback with empathy: When giving feedback, focus on the impact of behaviors rather than criticizing the person. Acknowledge their feelings and offer support and guidance. 4️⃣ Foster a culture of psychological safety: Create an environment where team members feel safe to express their ideas, concerns, and emotions without fear of judgment or reprisal. By embracing emotional intelligence in your leadership style, you'll not only enhance your own effectiveness but also create a positive and thriving work environment for your team. 🌈✨ #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipSkills #EQMatters

Many people worry that showing any sign of emotion will make them look less competent or less reliable. However, leaders and team members who are open about their feelings, within reason, often find that it increases respect rather than diminishes it. When a leader shows empathy, frustration, or concern, it creates a more relatable dynamic, proving that they are not removed or detached from their team’s challenges. Leaders who let their teams see a glimpse of their true feelings often foster stronger loyalty because their team sees them as real, compassionate, and approachable.

Being emotionally open doesn’t mean being out of control. Many people fear showing emotion means breaking down, but this isn’t true. Emotional expression can be calm, measured, and thoughtful. It means saying, “Yes, I’m feeling this way right now,” without letting that emotion overpower or define you. When done mindfully, showing emotions is an exercise in self-regulation and emotional intelligence, proving that you understand yourself well enough to express what you’re going through healthily. It shows that you’re not letting your emotions dictate your actions but using them as tools to connect, empathize, and communicate.

💭 I once heard about a CEO who always thought he had to be "tough as nails" - never letting his team see any emotion. During a particularly challenging company restructure, he maintained this stone-faced 🗿façade. But here's the thing: his team was struggling, morale was low, and there was a disconnect growing by the day. Then something shifted. During a team meeting, he opened up about how difficult these changes were for him too. He shared his concerns, his hopes, and yes - his emotions. You know what happened? The entire dynamic transformed. Team members who had been quiet started speaking up. People began sharing innovative solutions. The "wall" 🧱 came down, and real collaboration 🤝 began. See, there's this myth in leadership that showing emotion means you're somehow "soft" or "weak." But think about the leaders who've truly inspired you. Were they robots 🤖? Of course not! They were probably people who showed they cared, who celebrated victories with genuine joy, and who weren't afraid to show concern when things got tough. It's kind of like being the captain of a ship. Sure, during a storm ⛈️, you need to stay level-headed. But that doesn't mean you can't acknowledge the storm and share in both the challenges and triumphs with your crew. That authenticity is what turns a boss into a leader. The most powerful teams I've seen are led by people who understand that emotions aren't a liability - they're a superpower. When you can genuinely connect with your team, understand their fears, celebrate their wins, and create a space where everyone feels safe to be human... that's when the magic happens. Remember: Strength isn't about hiding your emotions. It's about knowing how to use them wisely to build stronger, more resilient, and more connected 🤝 teams. What's your experience been with emotional expression in leadership? Have you seen the impact of leaders who aren't afraid to show their human side? #servantleadership #authencity #emotionalintelligence