Love Leading Collection Monthly Update - November 2021

Welcome to the November Love Leading Collection Monthly Update!!

This Monthly Update is a summary of the #FridayShares from October and expands on what was shared, making it a resource for self-guided leadership development or to inspire you as you develop others. The version of this on the Purple Sky Consulting website is a bot more interactive so head there for a better experience.

This is designed to help you keep learning, enabling you to Love Leading and to enjoy some #purpleskythinking.

The version of this on the Purple Sky Consulting website is a bot more interactive so head there for a better experience: www.purpleskyconsulting.co.uk/love-leading-collection-monthly-update

Friday Share 15 - “Are you running on empty?” - Molly Grisham

How many times have you heard…”put on your own oxygen mask, before helping others”? Hopefully, every time you are on an airplane!! But it holds true across our lives and our leadership lives too.

If you aren’t looking after your own mental and physical wellbeing as a priority, how can you expect to help your team be their best too?

This clip from Molly Grisham brings that thinking to life. Watch the clip and consider what that means for you:

What do you think of when you watch this clip?

I am a big fan of the point at which someone feels like they were being given permission by Molly to look after themselves. Here are a few questions for you to consider and what this means for your own development plan:

• Are you waiting for permission to make sure that your battery doesn’t drop to zero?
• Do you recognise the impact of your own wellbeing on yourself?
• How does this impact how you lead?
• What impact does this have on your team?
• When you are feeling your best, what is going on with you then, what impact does that have on you and how you lead?

Action: Based on the answers to these questions what 3 things are you going to take action on?

If you need a bit of inspiration, why now consider the article for Forbes by Erin Urban on “strategies for self care for successful leaders”:

Friday Share 16 - “Britain is in denial about race” - Reni Eddo-Lodge

October was Black History Month, a month to shine a light on and celebrate the wonderful Black people of Britain and beyond. It is also a time to pause and recognise the disgraceful role that racism has played in the history of all Black people and all people of colour.

I reflected in the #Fridayshare post that I feared that using the word history, could give a perception that racism is also history - it is not. Racism remains a constant for Black people and all people of colour.

This powerful clip from Reni Eddo-Lodge for the BBC brings that reality to life:

What are your reflections on that clip?

Consider these questions:

• How much do you understand about racism and the reality of racism?
• Did you do anything with your team during Black History Month?
• What have you done to change the experience that Black people, and other people of colour, have in your workplace?
• How active are you in considering the needs of Black people, and other people of colour, in the work you and your team does?
• How regularly is racism and understanding of racism discussed in your leadership peer team?
• How much discomfort do you experience talking about racism? Why is that?

Action: Based on the answers you have given here, what do you want to do about these answers?

If you don’t feel knowledgeable about racism, it is your responsibility to do something about that.

For those you want to understand racism, ongoing racism and be inspired to make a difference, Reni has written a great book. The book is - 'why I am no longer talking to white people about race' and you can access it as an audiobook as well as in print:

Friday Share 17 - “Connect then lead” - Tanmay Vora

I absolutely love this graphic that outlines very clearly the importance of connecting with people so you can really lead them.

This great image by Tanmay Vora with QAspire.com is easy to follow, fun and puts this important message across clearly.

Now that you’ve considered this, answer these questions:

• How much trust do you have in your team?
• How much trust do you think they have in you?
• Do you respect your team? How do you know that?
• Does your team respect you? How do you know that?
• How much warmth do you generate with and across your team?
• Are you well connected with your team?

Action: What is currently working well that you want to continue and what do you need to practice more of to increase the connection you have with your team?

The key point on connection is trust, when you are ready, move to the next section as we are covering that next.

Friday Share 18 - “The Autonomy of Trust” - Brené Brown

When considering the importance of connection to have permission to lead, the key foundation to achieving this, is trust.

This 9 minute video clip from the wonderful Brené Brown is the best place to start to understand trust and consider what this means for you, in life and as a leader.

How spot on is this clip? When you consider it from your own perspective…so what about when you think about the relationship you have with your team?

Action: Consider each of the BRAVING definitions shared by Brené from her work and ask yourself, how well do you do against each of those points with each of your team. What do you want to do differently?

That’s the last Monthly Update of 2021!

I will hopefully be in New York for the first Friday in December, so I’ll be practicing what I preach and putting my oxygen mask on first.

It does mean that January will be a jam packed edition.

Keep an eye out for the #FridayShare over on the Purple Sky LinkedIn Page as these will keep coming.

Thank you for all the support since we launching in May! See you in the new year!