“If you want to lead transformational change, you have to do the work on yourself first.”
What makes a leader great?
This question is a hard one to answer, even after my 25+ years studying and working in the field of human and leadership development.
As I think more deeply about that question, I am convinced after all this experience working with leaders that a great leader is someone who spends the time to do the deeper work on themselves. Greatness is sourced from the inside-out. The leader who works on their own tendency to get defensive, learns to regulate unproductive and reactive emotions, and understands their own weaknesses is one who gets out of their own way. Part of that deeper work includes healing the impact of childhood adversity.
Today we’re talking about how our childhood adversity can impact our leadership effectiveness. We also talk about doing the deeper work to overcome our own unproductive, unconscious patterns that get in the way of our interpersonal relations.
Power Presence Academy: Practical Wisdom for Leaders is the go-to podcast for anyone who leads. Your host is Janet Ioli, leadership and human development expert, sought-after coach and advisor to global executives, and former executive with experience in four Fortune 100 companies. She helps leaders ground themselves with confidence, connection, and purpose and learn to lead with Less Ego, More Soul.
Noteworthy Quotes from This Episode
“Carl Jung tells us that unless we do the deep, hard work of facing our darkness, we cannot reach the light. Part of that involves facing the parts of ourselves that we deny due to pain or trauma.”
“So many of us have had some sort of childhood trauma or have had adversity in our childhoods […] And they impact our psyche, they go into our unconscious, and they impact how we deal with people.”
“Achievement and success are external. They are not indicators of leadership effectiveness. So you can be very successful and not be a great leader.”
Resource Links:
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
How to Do the Work: Recognize Your Patterns, Heal from Your Past, and Create Your Self by Dr. Nicole LePera
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A GUIDE AND MAP FOR RECOVERING FROM CHILDHOOD TRAUMA by Pete Walker
If you want to become more grounded, confident, and aligned with your deeper values in just 21 days. Check out my book Less Ego, More Soul: A Modern Reinvention Guide for Women.
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Connect with Janet Ioli:
Linkedin: Janet Ioli
Instagram: @janetioli
Website: janetioli.com
Janet is the founder of Power Presence Academy. She helps leaders ground themselves with confidence, connection, and purpose and lead with Less Ego, More Soul.
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