Lesson in Leadership: Find Your Strength and Lead with It!

Dr. Pauline Rivers

“…helping people be great at what they do…”

There is greatness on the inside of each of us. Even if we don’t recognize it or feel like it, and even if no one has ever said so to us before. It’s there! We just have to identify it so we can lead with it!

There is Greatness on the Inside of You!

· Identify what you are good at and what comes natural for you.

· Identify what energizes you, what excites you, what you feel passionate about.

· Identify what people compliment you on, what people often ask you to do for them.

· Identify your strength. Identify your area of greatness.

· Then develop it and lead with it.

Lead with your Strength

· Don’t accentuate the negative (and don’t allow others to do so either).

· Focus on the 80% that you do well and develop in the other 20%.

· Lead confidently and assertively, with your strength. Speak it boldly!

· Don’t apologize for your strength, your style, or your path.

· Do not shrink back in intimidation when you encounter a situation where you . Be inspired, not intimidated.

· “You belong in every room that you are in.” You bring value to the table!

Be the Best You

· You have your own journey. You have your own path. Follow it.

· Continuously improve, informally and formally.

· Don’t compare where you are in your journey, with anyone else.

· Focus on what you do well.

· Show up well. Show up well prepared.

· “Be the best version of yourself.”

Encourage Yourself

· Focus on what you have, not on what you do not have.

· Focus on what you have accomplished, not on how far you still have to go.

· Be around people who support you, encourage you, and build you up, and who leave you feeling better than when you came into their presence.

· Use positive affirmations that feel right, feel genuine, and that work for you. Say them until you get them down on the inside. Say them until you believe them.

Don’t Quit!

· See any setbacks or failures as “first attempt in learning”.

· Learn from your setbacks. Adjust. Make corrections. And keep moving forward!

· If you don’t know anyone who can open a door for you, do great work anyway. Be your best self. Volunteer. Show up great. Make yourself known!

· If you are not offered a seat at the table, build your own table, and bring your own chair!

· If you get discouraged, don’t quit.

· If you get tired, don’t quit.

· If it seems impossible, don’t quit.

· “If you feel like quitting, don’t.”

· Encourage yourself. Push yourself. Find another way. But don’t quit!