Dr. Nicole A. Bryan 🇧🇧 🇺🇸 TheChangeDoc’s Post

How are you? A question we ask everyday. It’s a great question with great potential to build lasting connections, if only we really listen to the answer. Most of the time, it's a courtesy and a formality right? But good leaders ask this question often, with the intention of really wanting to know how you are. A friend happened to mention this incident which really stayed with me. She said “I’ll never forget how my boss called me into her cabin soon after I had resumed work after being married. I was so worried it would be about picking up on performance, unfinished tasks and my mind was imagining worst case scenarios. So, I entered, she sat me down and asked me how are you? After the customary I’m fine, I kept waiting for the next question but it never came. No really, how are you? she said. That’s when I realised she was genuinely checking in on me, how I was adjusting, what support I perhaps needed. Being with that leader and the team was the best phase of my career.” That’s when I realised how leadership is in the day to day small things that we can do to make our team feel heard and cared for. Taking a moment to truly absorb the response to a deep question like this can help in many ways: 1. Showing genuine care for your team, 2. Harnessing their energy and creative ideas, 3. Building loyalty and engagement, 4. Unleashing potential, 5. Motivating and inspiring the team, and 6. Encouraging active involvement in team goals. You will face attrition, but let that be for reasons other than your leadership. #LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #HumanResources #CareerDevelopment

Some of my manager in my career are really 9/10 and this is what made them different. . . . . . . You know, I've worked with a lot of bosses over the years. Some good, some... well, let's just say they weren't my favorites.  But there are a few that really stuck with me. And it got me thinking - what made them so special? It was the little things they said. These tiny phrases that just... stuck with me. Like this one time, I was freaking out about a big project. My boss just smiled and said, "Give it your best shot. I'll handle the rest." Man, that took a weight off my shoulders! Or when I was scared to try something new, and my manager said, "Unleash your creativity. I'll take care of the approvals."  It was like they handed me a permission slip to be bold. These leaders, they had a way of pushing us while having our backs. Like, "Push hard today, and we'll celebrate together tomorrow."  It made the grind feel worth it, you know? And get this - they actually cared about our growth. I'll never forget when my boss asked, "What skills do you want to develop?" It wasn't just about the work.  It was about me. These phrases, they're not just words. They're like... little seeds of confidence. They make you feel like you can take on the world. Note: These all came from senior colleagues and mostly from my managers at different points of my career. The exact verbiage might be different but it is in these lines What's the best thing a boss has ever said to you?  Let's share the good vibes! #LeadershipLessons #WorkLifeWisdom #BossGoals

Recently, I sat down for an informal 1-on-1 with my leader that opened a new dimension in our professional relationship. For the first time in my career, someone had inquired about my 'why' - what drives me in my career. Luckily I had spent some time thinking about this so I had an answer, but this unexpected inquiry prompted me to do an introspection into my motivations and purpose and reevaluate my answer(read: confirmed my answer). Reflecting on this conversation, I couldn't help but wonder: when was the last time you delved into the 'why' behind your team members' professional endeavors? As leaders, understanding the driving forces behind our team's actions is essential for fostering motivation and alignment. Furthermore, amidst the daily whirlwind of tasks and responsibilities, when did you last pause to contemplate your own 'why' - your reason for being in your career journey? Clarifying this fundamental aspect provides a guiding light amidst the complexities of professional life. Let's continue to embrace this spirit of inquiry and reflection. Share your experiences and approaches to uncovering and nurturing the 'whys' within your team, as well as your own personal motivations. Together, let's cultivate a culture of purpose-driven leadership and meaningful professional growth. #PurposeDrivenLeadership #ProfessionalGrowth #WhyMattersBest #LeadershipDevelopment

 "FIGURE IT OUT, JESSICA!" If you've ever had a boss who believes in you so much that they force you to believe in yourself, you know exactly what I’m talking about. For me, that boss is always challenging me with the classic: "FIGURE IT OUT, JESSICA! YOU'RE A SMART GIRL, COME UP WITH A STRATEGY!" At first, I’ll admit – I was a little like   "Well, I didn’t sign up for a solo mission, but okay!" But over time, I realized something important: Not only did I learn how to problem-solve in ways I hadn’t before, but I also figured out that I perform way better when I’m not micromanaged. Let’s be honest—having the freedom to think, strategize, and execute without constant check-ins is a game changer. And then, when I finally figured it out (after what felt like a hundred trial and error moments!), the cherry on top was always the boost of encouragement: "WELL DONE, JESSICA. YOU'RE A PERFORMER."   Cue the happy dance and the internal "I DID IT!" cheer. I can't even describe how much these words have shaped my career. They've pushed me to stretch beyond what I thought was possible, trust my instincts, and find creative solutions—even when I felt uncertain. So here's to those leaders who know that sometimes, the best way to support your team is to let them figure it out themselves. They know when to step back and let us run, giving us the space we need to grow and shine. I’ve evolved from being just a performer to becoming a problem solver, a strategist, and, above all, a more confident and self-sufficient version of myself. #CareerGrowth #Leadership #Empowerment #FigureItOut #ProblemSolving #LeadershipLessons #Grateful #TrustYourTeam

The Power of Perception and Staying True to Self: In the workplace, it's important to stay true to yourself, but it's equally important to be mindful of how you’re perceived—especially by those who sit at the table of decision-making. Their perception of you can have a significant impact on your career and how they engage with you. While your work and how you deliver should speak for itself, we can’t ignore that perception plays a huge role in career progression. Staying true to yourself, respecting your boundaries, and maintaining good relationships with your colleagues are key. At the same time, be strategic in your interactions, especially in casual, small talk moments with leadership. At the end of the day, what matters most is knowing that you are enough as you are. Show up authentically, and trust that in the long run, true character and honesty always win. #CareerGrowth #Authenticity #WorkplacePerception #Leadership

Early in my career, I was once told, "Shut up and do it how I taught you to, or I'll fire you." Those words terrified me. At that point in my career, I was brash and overconfident, but I never saw myself as insubordinate. For years, I found my career growth stunted—not by others, but by myself. My confidence was shattered, and even now, if I don't get things perfect, I sometimes hear those words in the back of my mind. However, with the help of many great colleagues and some self-reflection, I've realized that I overcome those words from early in my career every day. That experience shaped me in countless ways and taught me invaluable lessons: 1. Empathy and Open-mindedness: It showed me the kind of manager and co-worker I did NOT want to be. It taught me patience, active listening, and a willingness to embrace new ideas. 2. Humanity and Humility: It revealed that my confidence was not invincible and that I am human. Up until that point, I thought others' opinions didn't matter to me. I was wrong, and that humbling experience has influenced my career ever since. I continue to overcome what I learned that day. 3. Resilience in the Face of Intimidation: It taught me that while something might seem daunting in the moment, it's rarely the end of the world. I remind myself of this every single day. Vulnerability is not easy to display, and it's something I continue to work on. But embracing it has made me a stronger, more compassionate leader. If you've ever faced similar challenges, know that you're not alone. Our toughest moments often teach us the most valuable lessons. Let’s strive to support each other, cultivate a culture of empathy, and always be open to growth. 🌟 #personalgrowth #leadership #leadershiplessons #humanresources #workculture

For a long time, I avoided becoming a manager. The managers I knew were all about themselves, chasing the spotlight and ignoring the people they were supposed to support. It wasn’t that I lacked ambition; I just couldn’t buy into the idea of sacrificing others’ growth for personal glory. In the absurd world of corporate life, it’s easy to call someone unmotivated if they seem content. But everyone has their own ambitions and hidden struggles. Judging them based on surface impressions misses the real story—how often they’ve hit walls or taken risks to speak up. Navigating a career can feel like drifting aimlessly on an indifferent sea. People don’t thrive under self-serving leaders; they flourish when they can be themselves, take risks, and feel proud of their work. Instead of being self-absorbed, we need to genuinely see and understand our teams. Support their growth with clear expectations and real empathy. Allow them the freedom to fail and learn, and to balance work with life. Everyone deserves the chance to rise above the mundane and reach their potential. #leadership #growth

Oof. I know this can be a tricky one. On the one hand, we are hardwired for the need to feel seen. From our first breath to our last, we consistently look for someone who is also looking for us.* So it's natural to want to see all of our hard work and the value we bring to our teams and organizations to be noticed. Often, I talk to leaders who feel discouraged because they feel unnoticed in their work. That can be discouraging and, at times, unhopeful and can make you feel stuck in your career. But I have found that true meaning and validation don't always come from the outside. It comes from within you. Handing the power of your worth to others creates an inner insecurity and anxiety that causes instability in your heart. But if you choose you, no one can take that validation away. Sometimes, value is finding it in your first and then just waiting for other people to catch up. So remember, not everyone will notice the value you bring, choose you for the promotion or make you feel seen at work. But I hope you see you. ---- *This is a rephrasing from a quote by Curt Thompson. **Disclaimer: This post is only meant to address how to psychological approach feeling under appreciated at work. It is not meant to be advice to stay in a work situation or environment where you consistently feel under valued and unappreciated. #leadership #mentalhealth #chooseyou

🔥 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬? 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭! You know how important it is to make quick decisions and deliver results. But here’s the key: Without #trust, nothing works – neither #speed nor real #collaboration. When your #team trusts you, you’re not just the boss; you’re the #leader they want to follow. 💡 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 #trust: 1️⃣ 𝐁𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭: Confusion wastes time. Say what you mean, and be open – even about tough topics. #Clarity earns respect. 2️⃣ 𝐃𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐚𝐲: Actions speak louder than words. If you want #trust, you have to deliver. Be the one who leads by example with #results. 3️⃣ 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: Trust your team and give them room to shine. Show that you believe in them, and they’ll surprise you. 💪 #Leadership 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞: 𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟: “Do my people know that I’m 100% behind them? And do they trust that I’ll have their backs when things get tough?” 📣 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: How do you build #trust to drive your team to peak performance? Share your #experience and let’s learn from each other – faster, better, stronger #together! 🚀 IMAGE: Midjourney

❓When you think of great leadership, what qualities come to mind? Vision? Resilience? Confidence? What about kindness? 🤔 Several years ago, I had a manager who stood out for a simple reason—she led with kindness. One day, I made a mistake that cost the team a valued customer. I was dreading the conversation... 😰 But instead of reprimanding me, she: Listened intently Asked thoughtful questions Encouraged me to find a solution That act of kindness didn't just help me recover—it transformed me. The result? Increased motivation Deeper loyalty Better performance Today, we often overlook the human aspect of leadership. But here's the truth: 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀—𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲. Remember: Leading with kindness isn't about being soft. It's about: ✨ Building trust ✨ Boosting morale ✨ Creating psychological safety ✨ Empowering growth Kindness isn't a "soft skill"—it's a leadership superpower. Do you agree? 🌟 How have you seen kindness play a role in leadership? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments! -------- Like this post? Want to see more? 🔔 Ring My Profile Bell & Follow 👋🏼 Hi, I’m Danielle. I work with medical and aesthetic sales professionals to attract their dream job, boost their sales, and accelerate their career 👉 Click on my profile to book an appointment and take your career to the next level. #leadership #leadershipfirst #leadershipdevelopment #teamleadership #careeradvice #kindness