#leadyourway It's the only way!

This month is a repeat of some blogs that were posted previously that have powerful messages. I am continuing to work on my book, so need to be focusing there right now! But I wanted to make sure you keep growing!

Who do you follow?
Think of someone you follow. It could be a celebrity on T.V., a motivational speaker, or an insightful leader. It might even be a politician that you believe in. 
          Why do you follow them?

You likely follow them because they are unique.
They don’t do, act, and say the same things as everyone else. They have a unique way of getting their point across. If you are into inspiration, maybe the booming voice of Tony Robbins is your thing. Perhaps instead you prefer the quiet often humorous style of Eckhart Tolle. Maybe you are an Oprah fan. Then again, maybe not. 

The point is you follow people because they have style, personality and a way of being that fits for what you desire. 

​What does #leadyourway mean?
The same is true in leadership. People follow someone because as Simon Sinek says, they believe in what you believe.

• How will someone know what you think if you don’t say it and demonstrate it?
• How will someone know they want to follow your cause if you don't stand up for what you believe in?

You need to #leadyourway so people can decide if they want to follow you.

Who are you anyway?
#Leadyourway begins with the concept of figuring out who you are. 
You started this in high school when you picked out your clothes to fit in with a particular group, styled your hair in a certain way and listened to a particular genre of music. You were trying to figure out where you fit, and you were trying to find out your identity. 

In adulthood, your blending in got less overt. Instead of dying your hair pink, you just started to nod more. You spoke out less. You found the politically right things to say. You learned what leaders wear, and you bought those outfits. You took training on how to manage, how to lead, and you followed your mentor's guidance. You conformed. 

Now, you fit in. But are you comfortable? Are you your authentic self?

​What do you believe?
In my work, I help people reconnect with what they believe in and identify what they stand for. I help leaders come back to who they are, at the core of their being. There is no point in pretending to be something we are not. The rest of the world can sniff a fake out in a heartbeat. 

I am emotional (I prefer the term sensitive)
If I try to pretend that my heart doesn’t live on my sleeve, the only way to do that is to become unfeeling. Cold. That is certainly not me! I cry at every commercial and when I husband makes me watch the back stories parts for The Voice. That’s who I am. 

When my client, on the other end of the phone, tells me a story about her pain, I often have to swallow and take a moment to ask the next coaching question. Their suffering moves me. I am a sensitive person. When I am acting in integrity, that sensitivity comes through in my work 

Steps to finding your way of leading
Here’s the thing. To #leadyourway, you must find your way. You must spend time getting clear on who you are. That is about your values, beliefs and your style. How do you do that? Here are 4 ways:

​1.  Look back on peak moments in your life and in your career
Those times when you felt amazing, on top of your game and were achieving the results you wanted. 

• What were you doing? 
• Who were you with? 
• How were you acting and being? 
• What were you thinking.

Look for themes. Identify when you were most authentically you.

2. Review the assessments you’ve done in your career 

• Myer’s Briggs
• True Colors
• VIA Signature Strengths
• Strengths Finder

Look again for the themes that come out in them. 

3) Consider when you feel most authentic and in integrity in your leadership.

• What are you doing? 
• How are you acting?

4) Make a list of who you are when you are at your best. 
Then be you more often!

#leadyourway
When you #leadyourway more often you'll reconnect with what you love about your job and love about yourself. The more authentic you that shows up, the easier it is for your team to trust you and lean in to your purpose and vision. Find your way. #leadyourway

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Kathy is a leadership coach for women who want to strengthen their leadership and find balance in life. She mentors females as they rediscover their purpose, passion and persistence for life while dealing with office politics, jerk bosses and the challenges of family life. In her signature program Women with Grit: Leading with Courage & Confidence, Kathy gives her ladies the hope and inspiration they need along with a kick in the pants to make positive change in their lives

Get the first 4 lessons of 
Women with Grit: Leading with Courage & Confidence

The program starts May, 2016
Only 10 women will join me.

​Will you be one of them?

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