Renee Giarrusso's Blog, page 15

How journalling and these 10 questions can improve self-awareness

How journalling and these 10 questions improve self-awareness!

Many of my clients use journalling to work through the triad of self-acceptance – they find it helpful to put their thoughts and memories of an event down on paper. Here are some questions you can work through to help you with your journalling:

10 questions to help improve self-awareness

Thoughts:
1. Was the event a success, a challenge or a crisis?
2. What happened, and what did you tell yourself?
3. What were your beliefs around this?

Feelings:
4. How did it make you feel?
5. Did you respond or react to the event?
6. How did you manage your feelings?

Outside feedback:
7. What feedback did you receive or notice?
8. What was happening outside you?
9. How were others around you reacting/responding?
10. What were you seeing and hearing?

Awareness takes time

For many of us, self-awareness is something we need to work at continually. We need to give ourselves the time and space needed to process our thoughts and become aware of how we are feeling, and seek feedback from others to help us understand what’s going on for us.

In March 2019, I was driving to visit a regional client when my beautiful sister phoned to tell me she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I reacted at first with shock, sadness and, understandably, not too many words. Then, during the two-hour drive, I took the time to reflect on the news that had rocked my world.

Firstly, I thought about my sister’s long track record of ill health and misfortunes. I thought about how strong her mindset has been and will continue to conquer this terrible disease. Although still devastated, I felt lighter, better able to deal with the situation, more in control as I kept thinking these thoughts. From the outside, I heard that my family and friends were in shock. The doctors had formulated a treatment plan and were positive that my sister had every chance of beating the disease. I noticed all this, along with my own thoughts and feelings, to make sense of the situation. I hadn’t accepted it yet, but I was aware of what I was thinking, how I was feeling and what was happening around me.

Being stuck in the car gave me the time and space to process my initial feelings and thoughts, allowing me to begin to move forward and support my sister. Sometimes we’re not that lucky – crises often happen at busy moments when we’re not able to slow down. That’s why it’s so important to deliberately plan space and time into our weeks to foster self-awareness.

You can’t adopt the Gift Mindset without continually working on your self-awareness. By doing so, you increase the likelihood of uncovering the potential gift and seeing what it can offer you and others.

Lead to be Limitless…



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Find out where you sit on the Leadership Ladder. Your responses are anonymous, and the results summarised to help us better understand where our market sits so that we can continue to provide insights, tools and solutions to assist you in moving up to be LIMITLESS, co-creative and stand out.

Renée is a mentor, coach, expert facilitator and keynote speaker; She is the author of  ‘Gift Mindset®‘, ‘Limitless Leadership’, and co-author of ‘Leaders of Influence’.

PS: Want to skyrocket your success from working anywhere? We've launched our online program, and you can read more about that here.

Have you received your copy of Renée’s latest book, Gift Mindset®? It is available on Amazon, Booktopia and in all good book stores.

If this article resonates with you somehow, I’d love to hear your thoughts – get in touch.

Being in service to my clients is why I do what I do, and your feedback, insight, and suggestions are always embraced.

Follow Renée on Facebook, Instagram, IGTV or Twitter, or subscribe to her blog or new podcast here.

 

Self-awareness is key to unwrapping the Gift of Courage

This is one of the greatest stories of courage I ever learned – from my own family.  This story only recently came to light, and I'm so thrilled to share it with you. This story is about what helps us tap into our inner strength so we can access all we have within us so we can live and lead with courage.

The Giarrusso's story

This story takes you back to 1943 when a family took one of the biggest risks – to start a new life on the other side of the world.

My Nonno, Paul, owned a leather shop in Catania, Sicily. (I blame this for my innate addiction to shoes.) He tanned leather and suede to supply to shoe and coat manufacturers. The entire family lived above the shop in a palazzo, with a lavish marble staircase at the main entrance.

Life was good while prime minister Benito Mussolini was in power, giving holidays to the poor and assisting new mothers with money and goods. However, he didn’t support bad news in newspapers, and only those who had identification to prove they were a member of the Fascist Party were allowed to travel or work.

Many people remember Mussolini as a good leader – until he teamed up with Hitler.

Although the Italians and the Germans were allies in World War II, the Sicilians resented the Germans taking over their towns. Many aggressive soldiers abused the local people, ordering them out of shops while demanding the best of everything. My nonna felt uneasy. The young women were frightened. My Aunty Mary still recalls the eerie sound of the soldiers’ boots as they marched along the cobbled village roads.

Everything changed

At dawn on 10 July 1943, when the Americans invaded Sicily, everything changed. Operation Husky involved 150,000 troops. Air and sea landings using 3000 ships and 4000 aircraft were directed at the island's southern shores.

Before long, warning sirens alerted everyone to shelter in their basements. Up to five families would huddle in this dark, damp space; some nights, six alerts were signalled. Many nearby buildings were bombed.

A beautiful, tranquil southern Italian island was now at the centre of a war. Living on meagre food coupons was hard, with little access to coffee and sugar and other staples that we take for granted. My grandparents struggled to keep their business going with three children to keep safe. The food coupons ran out; luckily, the family was seen as wealthy, so they never went too long without anything. Nonno was able to access goods via the black market, but many others were not so fortunate. My generous grandparents often had people over and fed them; workers from their business stayed and refuelled over a meal with them.

The only distraction to pass the time was to listen to the radio or play records. When they could, the family went away on weekends to their property in Misterbianco, 30 minutes away – a brief escape from the nightmare that was unfolding at home.

The bombings

As the war continued, Dad’s family relocated to the neighbouring village of Vizzini. At the peak of the bombing, they retreated to caves just out of town for three to four days at a time. It was more crowded than the palazzo basement, and even the sheep would join them in there. When they returned to Catania, they found bomb fragments that had come through the roof and landed on my grandparents’ bed. Even during this time, the Americans were more like friends than enemies, frequently giving the children chocolates and biscuits.

My father, Tony Giarrusso, was born in 1946. He grew up with two older brothers and a sister, Mary; 16 years older, she was like a second mother to him. She had attended primary school until grade 4, when her mother became ill, and she had to leave to look after her father and then two brothers. The family was well enough to have a maid; despite this, Aunty Mary was still expected to assist with household duties.

Tony wasn’t yet born when Aunty Mary and Nonna were visiting a shop, and a fortune teller asked to read Nonna’s palm. She predicted three things: something valuable would be lost, the family would go abroad, and Mary would marry a foreigner. Little did Mary knows that all three predictions would come true.

Leaving everything

After the war, my Nonno's business started to suffer the effects of cheap imports. A proud man, he could not face working for somebody else. So the Giarrussos decided to leave everything and travel to America or Australia. Nonno’s sister had already moved to America with her husband to bring the family over. But Nonna’s brother Chico persuaded them to come to Australia instead and stay with him. Mary was 19, and Dad was three years old.

No one in the family could speak any language but Italian. Nonno said they would go for three to four years, long enough to get back on their feet, and then return to Italy.

They purchased tickets for the trip by selling their house, shop, property, and possessions.

In 1949 the family left Italy aboard the Greek cargo ship Cyrenia, used to transport people leaving Germany. Nonno, Nonna and their four children, aged from three to 19, sailed for Australia crammed into one small cabin with a bunk bed, their lives contained in a suitcase each and one large trunk.

Aunty Mary remembers many Polish and Jewish people on board, many with numbers tattooed on their wrists – a blunt reminder of the war. There were no other Italians on the ship, and all the music and food was Greek.

Most of the family suffered seasickness throughout the trip. My dad developed measles and was quarantined from the rest of the family.

The trip that changed the family’s lives lasted 29 days.

Making a new home

When Dad and family arrived at the station pier in Australia, their uncle greeted them and took them to his farm in Koo Wee Rup, where they lived in a wooden house. Aunty Mary worried it would burn down – there were no wooden houses in Sicily.

There was no work in the country, so my aunty was sent to live with an Italian family in Melbourne and worked as a seamstress in a clothing factory.

The family resided in a small street in North Melbourne, in a two-bedroom place with no bathroom – they had to go to the City Baths to bathe. It was a far cry from their life in Italy. Nonna got the family settled, and Dad and his brothers went to the local Catholic school. Aunty Mary fell in love with a Cypriot man from her workplace; within a year of arriving, she was married, with a baby on the way.

The decision to stay was inevitable – their life and growing family were in Australia. My grandparents moved to Essendon to be near Aunty Mary and her family. Nonno continued to work at a
tannery and Nonna worked as a dressmaker until they retired.

It was 30 years before they had the opportunity to have a holiday and go back to Italy.

Tap into the six keys that drive courage: purpose, awareness, belief, aligned values, vulnerability and trust.

The 6 keys to courage

Courage is made up of some key ingredients. Like any recipe, all these ingredients need to be incorporated in the right amounts for the perfect dish. Let’s take a look at the six keys to courage.

– Have purpose

– Have awareness

– Believe in yourself

– Live your values

– Be open to failure

– Trust

To download your copy of the 6 Keys to Courage infographic, click here.

Lead to be Limitless…



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Find out where you sit on the Leadership Ladder. Your responses are anonymous, and the results summarised to help us better understand where our market sits so that we can continue to provide insights, tools and solutions to assist you in moving up to be LIMITLESS, co-creative and stand out.

Renée is a mentor, coach, expert facilitator and keynote speaker; She is the author of  ‘Gift Mindset®‘, ‘Limitless Leadership’, and co-author of ‘Leaders of Influence’.

PS: Want to skyrocket your success from working anywhere? We've launched our online program, and you can read more about that here.

Have you received your copy of Renée’s latest book, Gift Mindset®? It is available on Amazon, Booktopia and in all good book stores.

If this article resonates with you somehow, I’d love to hear your thoughts – get in touch.

Being in service to my clients is why I do what I do, and your feedback, insight, and suggestions are always embraced.

Follow Renée on Facebook, Instagram, IGTV or Twitter, or subscribe to her blog or new podcast here.

 

25: Unwrap the Gift of Optimism

Topic:  Unwrap the Gift of Optimism 

On today’s show I have the immense pleasure in speaking with Victor Perton about how to unwrap the gift of optimism, which is a chapter in my new book The Gift Mindset, and the lessons he's learned and shares.  

Victor is the Chief Optimism Officer of The Centre for Optimism.   His career has been diverse from Labourer to Barrister to Parliamentarian to Trade Commissioner to G20 Presidency Adviser to founding The Australian Leadership Project all leading to his calling in optimism. 

The Centre for Optimism is a movement that supports realistic and infectiously optimistic leaders to be beacons in the fog of pessimism and cynicism. They believe the leader is the person in your mirror. 

In fact, Victor believes that at its simplest, optimism is an expectation that good things will happen and that things will work out in the end.  

On today’s show Victor and I will speak about: 

What does optimism mean to him; Why can optimism sometimes be hard to bring into our lives; Questions to identify what makes you optimistic; How to be more infectiously optimistic; How to get some entertainment and inspiration to take action, and much more. 

LISTEN NOW:

 

About:

Victor Perton is the Chief Optimism Officer of The Centre for Optimism.   His career has been diverse from Labourer to Barrister to Parliamentarian to Trade Commissioner to G20 Presidency Adviser to founding The Australian Leadership Project all leading to his calling in optimism. 

The Centre for Optimism is a movement that supports realistic and infectiously optimistic leaders to be beacons in the fog of pessimism and cynicism. They believe the leader is the person in your mirror. 

Contact:

www.CentreforOptimism.com Linkedin InstagramPinterestTwitterYoutube

 

The Gift Mindset® book is NOW available in all good bookstores and online.

If you’re ready to to adopt and embrace a Gift Mindset and look at how our challenges and successes fall into 12 key areas that we call The 12 Gifts, then go to www.GiftMindset.com and pre-order your copy today. Or, if you’re interested in purchasing a bulk order, contact our team at: admin@reneegiarrusso.com

How Limitless Leaders™ can benefit from the 4 key stages of optimism

Optimism is a key trait of a Limitless Leader; it is the belief that good things will happen and that things work out in the end. It is an internal decision framework based on values, goals, willingness, hope and belief. Victoria has seen its fair share of lockdowns and rings of steel over the past 15 months, and it can be difficult to remain optimistic.

Our mental, physical and emotional health can be improved during this time by adopting an optimistic mindset; its habits and behaviours then optimism’s multifaceted benefits can flow on. Below are the four stages of optimism to help during times of uncertainty.

The four stages of optimism

Living a life filled with optimism is an ongoing journey. The beliefs, traits and behaviours we build upon can assist us in reflecting on the positive aspects of our lives, fuelling us forward.

I know from experience that self-belief, and belief and hope in others and situations, is foundational to building optimism. If you add to that a healthy dose of gratitude and positivity, you give yourself the best chance to move from pessimism to optimism.

Let’s take a closer look at the four stages of optimism.

Click the image to download a copy of the model.

 

Stage 1 – Pessimistic

If you’re in this stage, belief, hope, gratitude and positivity are non-existent, or you are unaware of how you feel about optimism and pessimism. Maybe past events, people and situations have led you to feel that the glass is always half empty. You are looking at what could go wrong instead of what could go right. You may not be aware of the effect this has on you and others. At this stage, the Gift of Optimism is tightly wrapped up.

 

Stage 2 – Realistic

You are looking at what could be and weighing up thoughts, feelings and actions. You may be starting to build belief in yourself, others and situations you are facing. There may be a glimmer of hope that things could be good, and you may start to open the door to invite gratitude and positive thinking into your life. You are untying the bow on the Gift of Optimism.

Stage 3 – Possimistic

This stage is what I call ‘possimistic’. You see the possibilities and know that optimism can fuel them. You are unwrapping what could be. Your belief and hope are high, and you are practising the habits of gratitude and positive inner dialogue. You feel hope for the future and are positive about what could be. You are highly aware of the power of optimism and possibility.

Stage 4 – Optimistic

If you are at this stage, well done! You have unwrapped the Gift of Optimism. You live with high belief and hope and practise gratitude and positivity to deal with whatever you are being faced with day-to-day. Continuing these practices and behaviours will ensure you are brimming with optimism and sharing this with people you surround yourself with, in and out of the workplace.

Wherever you currently sit on the pathway to optimism can change depending on the context of the situation. It is up to you to step into your power to move towards optimism and embed the tips and tools within this chapter that resonate with you.

Life is like a mirror, smile at it and it smiles back at you. — Peace Pilgrim

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Find out where you sit on the Leadership Ladder, your responses are anonymous, and the results summarised to help us better understand where our market sits so that we can continue to provide, insights, tools and solutions to assist you in moving up to be LIMITLESS, co-creative and stand out.

Renée is a mentor, coach, expert facilitator and keynote speaker; She is the author of  ‘Gift Mindset®‘, ‘Limitless Leadership’ and co-author of ‘Leaders of Influence’.

PS: Want to skyrocket your success from working anywhere? We've launched our online program, and you can read more about that here.

Have you received a copy of Renée’s latest book, Gift Mindset®? It is available from good bookstores and online at Gift Mindset and also on Amazon and Booktopia.

If this article resonates with you in any way – I’d love to hear your thoughts – get in touch.

Being in service to my clients is why I do what I do, and your feedback, insight, and suggestions are always embraced.

Follow Renée on Facebook, Instagram, IGTV or Twitter, or subscribe to her blog or new podcast here.

 

An exceptional way to build the 6 keys of resilience

Resilience is the strength of the spirit to recover from adversity. It enables us to find hope and the courage to continue, even when faced with tragedy or negative circumstances. Resilience isn’t a trait but, instead, a result of tapping into internal and external resources.

Three elements essential to resilience

Research published in the Journal of Humanistic Psychology showed that there are three elements essential to resilience:

Challenge rather than crisis – resilient people look at mistakes and failures as lessons. They tend to reframe a paralysing event as a challenge. This in itself can change your mindset to be even more resilient.Commitment to goals – resilient people are committed in work, relationships, friendships, beliefs and things that they care about. Being committed will give you a compelling reason to get out of bed in the morning.Personal control – resilient people focus their energy and time, putting their efforts where they can have the most impact, and where they feel empowered and confident. Focusing on what we can influence allows us to stop worrying about events that are out of our control, which can make us feel lost and powerless. The six keys to resilience

There are six skills needed to build resilience.

1. Develop supportive relationships

Strong, supportive relationships are vital, and as human beings, we are wired to connect. Strong friendships in our personal and work life make us more resilient as we have a strong network to fall back on.

2. Foster an attitude of gratitude

Taking the time to develop an attitude of gratitude can build a kind of psychological immune system, making us more resilient to stress. Gratitude provides a perspective from which we can look at our entire life and not be overwhelmed by temporary circumstances.

Click here to download your copy.

3. Develop empathy

By tuning in and almost physically experiencing what another may be going through, you will have the closest chance of understanding the other person and experiencing a true empathetic connection. Empathy is a key asset needed in today’s world to thrive, not just survive.

4. Reframe the script

Externalising our thoughts, values, and beliefs can assist us in gaining new insights. By confronting and writing about ideas and events, one at a time, we can gain new perspectives, therefore, craft our own narrative. This process gives us a sense of control and can help us glean the lessons and the upside of the experience.

5. Spark your motivation

Many people think of motivation as the thing they are good at doing, but it’s more than that. It is that the thing you enjoy; that gives you a pep in your step. Motivation overlays energy on any skill: it’s the fuel to succeed and exceed. It’s the force behind us, driving what we know and learn.

6. Confront your fears

The more we avoid facing what we fear, the bigger the fear grows. As we are more exposed to what we fear, our association with it starts to change. By confronting what scares us, we build up our resilience to fear by inviting in opportunities and situations that could enrich our lives and others.

How are you building on your Gift of Resilience?

Lead to be Limitless…



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Find out where you sit on the Leadership Ladder, your responses are anonymous, and the results summarised to help us better understand where our market sits so that we can continue to provide, insights, tools and solutions to assist you in moving up to be LIMITLESS, co-creative and stand out.

Renée is a mentor, coach, expert facilitator and keynote speaker; She is the author of  ‘Gift Mindset®‘, ‘Limitless Leadership’ and co-author of ‘Leaders of Influence’.

PS: Want to skyrocket your success from working anywhere? We've launched our online program, and you can read more about that here.

Be one of the first to receive a copy of Renée’s latest book, Gift Mindset®. It is available for pre-order on Amazon,  and Booktopia.

If this article resonates with you in any way – I’d love to hear your thoughts – get in touch.

Being in service to my clients is why I do what I do, and your feedback, insight, and suggestions are always embraced.

Follow Renée on Facebook, Instagram, IGTV or Twitter, or subscribe to her blog or new podcast here.

 

6 Amazing Strategies to Kick Comparison Syndrome in the Butt!

On most social media platforms, people are depicted as living their dream life – perfect relationships, endless holidays, picture-perfect plates of food and successful businesses. Social media has become a highlight reel of only the good; it rarely portrays what is truly going on. This can lead to ‘comparison syndrome’, where people compare their own ‘real’ lives with others’ highlight reels – a natural human reaction. If you compare yourself to someone else’s digital presence, you run a high possibility of discounting yourself for reasons that aren’t usually valid.

Social media is a massive contributor to comparison and many other variables that result in us comparing ourselves to work colleagues and even family members.

Comparison can be a killer; it can diminish and dim you as a person.

Many years ago, I remembered preparing a presentation to build a case to start a new division in my corporate life. I had diligently prepared a strong case, had great visuals and was feeling super confident. Another team member presented before me; I learned always, to go first when you can. His presentation was excellent; he had animated visuals and delivered them with such passion and confidence. I remember almost sliding down my chair and wanting to disappear. I was experiencing comparison syndrome, and I hadn’t even presented as yet. I ended up presenting my case and received brilliant feedback and buy-in. This is where I learnt that it was all in my head and that his presentation wasn’t better; it was just different to mine.

Comparisonitis is the compulsion to compare one's accomplishments to another's to determine relative importance. When you take a step back and realise that no one is you, this frees you up to live your life for you on your terms. You will stop beating yourself up and appreciate what you have and what you can contribute. When you get to this place, you will feel peace, happiness and liberation as you will free yourself from unrealistic expectations.

Psychologist Leon Festinger developed social comparison theory in 1954, stating that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others around them. Subsequent research shows that people who compare themselves to others regularly often experience feelings of guilt, dissatisfaction and sometimes even remorse.

For 14 years, I have worked with leaders and teams to accelerate communication, mindset and leadership. In the early days, I compared myself with others working in a similar space and almost went into overwhelm. I remember at one stage googling that there were 8000 coaches in Australia; this was the day after leaving my corporate job to pursue my own business. It didn't take long for me to realise I had to differentiate my offer and focus on just being me. I have always reflected on a quote, especially when starting something new or different is “Don’t compare your chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 20.” If life is a book, we are all living through different chapters at different times. Comparison can eat away at our confidence resulting in our self-worth plummeting. This can affect our mental health and lead to overthinking and stifled creativity, capability and happiness.

Here are 6 key strategies to combat comparisonitis:

Focus on your strengths

Being aware of your capabilities, level of capacity to deliver and level of confidence is vital. Having clarity and conviction in each area can help you focus on the journey ahead and what needs to be done. Know your strengths and where you have used these before to replicate success. Work with others who have complementary strengths and leverage these.

Flip the Script

Our thoughts create our feelings and, therefore, what we action. We need to be conscious of what and how we frame what we tell ourselves. Reframing “I’ll never be to do that like her” to “I’m excited to do this and learn along the way” can change your energy, mindset, and above all, your awareness from what can be, opposed to what can’t.

Adopt a Gift Mindset

The Gift Mindset gets us to look at both challenging and positive experiences and embrace the lessons or “gifts” from these situations. This process can get you out of your head and reinforce your uniqueness. Seeing how far you have come allows you to use these lessons to progress yourself and others forward.

Remember – no one is you

We are all unique in our ways and have our own “essence” that we bring to the world. Even if you are pursuing something similar to someone else, take a step back to identify your qualities, traits and strengths. “What’s your “special sauce?” Know this and make this the focus.

Celebrate others

Jealously can sometimes be a bi-product of comparison and can cause us to come from a place of scarcity instead of a place of abundance. Supporting others and celebrating their success is a great way to get out of your head, build deeper relationships and learn and get support in the process.

Just get started

Perfectionism, procrastination and distraction are behaviours that can hold us back and can have dire consequences for how we feel about ourselves and others and how we think, live and work. Taking action can keep us from the dark side, just make a start and remember you are your biggest critic. Ask yourself: what is the one thing you can do to get started?”
Take the time to reflect on what strategies will work for you, and remember, no one is you!

As always, I’d love to hear what works for you?

Lead to be limitless…

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Find out where you sit on the Leadership Ladder, your responses are anonymous, and the results summarised to help us better understand where our market sits so that we can continue to provide, insights, tools and solutions to assist you in moving up to be LIMITLESS, co-creative and stand out.

Renée is a mentor, coach, expert facilitator and keynote speaker; She is the author of ‘Gift Mindset®‘, ‘Limitless Leadership’ and co-author of ‘Leaders of Influence’.

PS: Want to skyrocket your success from working anywhere? We've launched our online program, and you can read more about that here.

Be one of the first to receive a copy of Renée’s latest book, Gift Mindset®. It is available for pre-order on Amazon, and Booktopia.

If this article resonates with you in any way – I’d love to hear your thoughts – get in touch.

Being in service to my clients is why I do what I do, and your feedback, insight, and suggestions are always embraced.

Follow Renée on Facebook, Instagram, IGTV or Twitter, or subscribe to her blog or new podcast here.

 

What’s your Superpower?

Limitless Leadership begins with self-belief and conviction in authentically wanting to commit to the bigger game. This does not come from external factors but from your internal compass paving the way to what you project to the outside world. The direction does not always come from up above or your team, parts of it may, but you need to find this, drive it and own it.

In any role, we can get caught up in the ‘doing” juggling multiple balls in the air such as; technology, people, relationships, structure, strategy, hybrid work, innovation, and so much more.

It’s no wonder many leaders are only managing their teams instead of leading them and their organisations forward. To shift from a management mindset to a leadership mindset takes awareness, skill, will, energy, and more than just drive, ambition, and some smarts. It all starts with self-leadership and filling this cup before you can share. We need to learn, unlearn and learn again and adopt the mindset, skills and habits to evolve and develop and look at what is next continually.

Life Skills (a.k.a Soft skills) are imperative to master and form the foundation of success in any role. There are many traits, mindsets, perspectives and habits we need to adopt, and we have identified these as THE 12 SUPERPOWERS to Lead and Be Limitless.

“SUPERPOWER – an exceptional or extraordinary power or ability”

Your Superpower is your special sauce. It’s something unique to you. It may be a skill or trait that others may possess, but it’s unique to you as there is no one else who is you.

Superpowers can help us sprint instead of run, walk rather than crawl, and help us be the leaders we want to become and create future leaders.

If you’re a leader looking to invest in yourself to serve others better and your organisation, please see my thinking captured in this leadership whitepaper.

Click here to receive your complimentary copy of The 12 Superpowers to Lead and be Limitless.

n this article, I explore the 12 Superpowers to lead and be limitless and compare the difference in behaviour that could LIMIT you or make you LIMITLESS.

The Superpowers of a Limitless leader:

Get comfortable being uncomfortableEffectively communicateHave high self-awareness and EIAre intentional in thoughts and actionsAdopt a Gift MindsetAre purpose-ledHave motivational intelligenceDelegate what they like doingPossess strong self-beliefCultivate a  bursting mindsetCoach and seek feedbackLead with courage

 

 

As always, I’d love to hear what stands out for you.

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Find out where you sit on the Leadership Ladder, your responses are anonymous, and the results summarised to help us better understand where our market sits so that we can continue to provide, insights, tools and solutions to assist you in moving up to be LIMITLESS, co-creative and stand out.

Renée is a mentor, coach, expert facilitator and keynote speaker; She is the author of  ‘Gift Mindset®‘, ‘Limitless Leadership’ and co-author of ‘Leaders of Influence’.

PS: Want to skyrocket your success from working anywhere? We've launched our online program, and you can read more about that here.

Victor’s Story – Chapter 7 Gift Mindset®

Victor Perton became a barrister at a young age and then went into state parliament. Eighteen years on, politics was changing – Victor found his work was becoming increasingly negative and he wasn’t feeling fulfilled. He retired from parliament at the next election and started his own regulatory affairs business. When the government asked him to go to the US to be Trade and Investment Commissioner to the Americas, he arrived in the midst of the global financial crisis (GFC). Victor embraced the opportunity, and the experience was constructive, powered by the positive stereotype Americans have of Australians. When the opportunity arose to be senior adviser for Australia’s G20 presidency, Victor was exposed to learnings and amazing people at the global super-elite level.

When Victor returned to Melbourne in 2015, he was astonished by the negativity within Australia generally, and especially towards leadership. Instead of complaining about the complainers, Victor set up the Australian Leadership Project, which interviewed
more than 2500 people. The survey looked at what distinguishes Australian leaders from foreign leaders.

The survey findings revealed three key traits of Australian leaders:

 Egalitarian – In Australia, we demand that our leaders be egalitarian, meaning that they work to ensure all people have equal rights and opportunities. The prime minister travels in the front seat of the car, and we often talk to the cleaner more politely than we speak to the chairman.Self-effacing humour – As leaders, we are confident in our ability to exert control over our own motivation, behaviour and social environment. We laugh at ourselves but take our work seriously. Many countries see self-effacing humour as a weakness, but here in Australia, we see it as a statement of self-confidence.No-bullshit plain-speaking – We say what we mean and mean what we say and don’t back down in what we believe in.

Victor believed that if these three qualities stood out to the interviewees, he would see many examples of Australian leaders championing those traits. He was perplexed by the reality he saw: leaders fuelled by negativity, lack of gratitude and limited understanding. It seemed that Australian leaders did not know how good they had it.

The Eureka moment

In 2017, Victor spoke at the Global Integrity Summit about the case for optimism. After three days of speeches reeking with misery, he lifted the room with his message of optimism.

Helen Clarke, head of the United Nations Development Programme and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, told Victor he needed to share his message by authoring a book. Victor wrote that book, and Helen endorsed it.

In August 2019, Victor was asked to do some work on innovation and questioned on why he wasn’t extending his work globally. Victor knew the idea had huge potential, and the Centre for Optimism was born. As I write this, the centre has attracted more than 2500 members across 52 countries after only six months of operation.

This is the question that changed it all:

What makes you optimistic?

Victor has asked this question to presidents, ministers, even women digging ditches in the back roads of India, and 99% of them said they felt lifted just by being asked the question. He has asked prisoners, murderers and drug traffickers, and shared the responses to this question. The question is now fundamental to the purpose of the Centre of Optimism.

What makes you optimistic now, in the past, for the future?

To continue reading Victor's story, you can purchase Gift Mindset® online or in good bookstores.

Unpack the 6 Keys to Optimism and develop them, so you lead with strength, overcome adversity and keep moving forward.

Make your self-talk optimisticRemember to smileGreet with intentionGet laughingSurround yourself with optimistsBe grateful

To unpack the 6 Keys to optimism, download the infographic for more information. Click here.

24: Unwrap the Gift of Forgiveness

Topic:  Unwrap the Gift of Forgiveness

On today’s show I have the immense pleasure in speaking with Zamil Chowdhury about his amazing story of forgiveness, which is a chapter in my new book The Gift Mindset, and the lessons he's learned through the life he's lived. 

Zamil is a man of the people and with over 25 years’ experience in technology helping companies and organizations transform their business. His passion is all about being part of the positive impact that technology has on their lives, as well as supporting young people around mental health. 

He provides mentorship through his experience, his strength and his hope. His mantra is to be in service to others in life. 

Listen as Zamil and I speak about: 

His personal story of forgiveness; What forgiveness means to him; How he keeps himself energized, and much more. 

LISTEN NOW:

 

About:

Zamil is a man of the people and with over 25 years’ experience in technology helping companies and organizations transform their business. His passion is all about being part of the positive impact that technology has on the lives. 

People and the communities in which we live in has been fortunate enough to work in collaboration with some of the world's brightest minds to cultivate and implement digital transformation strategies for global organizations to cope with disruption and provide an exceptional customer experience. His passion is working with young people around mental health.  

Zamil provides mentorship through his experience, his strength and his hope. And his his mantra is to be in service to others in life. He is also a loving father. 

Contact:

Virtusa.com Linkedin 

The Gift Mindset® book is NOW available is n all good bookstores and online.

If you’re ready to to adopt and embrace a Gift Mindset and look at how our challenges and successes fall into 12 key areas that we call The 12 Gifts, then go to www.GiftMindset.com and pre-order your copy today. Or, if you’re interested in purchasing a bulk order, contact our team at: admin@reneegiarrusso.com

Limitless Leaders™ Connection – How to work in times of uncertainty and transition back to the office

How to work in times of uncertainty and transition back to the office

We are all working in a time of uncertainty and transition back to the office and this can be exhausting. Leading hybrid teams and juggling a million balls including, strategy, systems, people, skills, innovation, sales and so much more certainly adds to the exhaustion.

It’s only April and many people are saying they feel tired, burnt out and overwhelmed.

Does this sound like you or your team?

Working within and leading a hybrid team is fast becoming part of the new normal and the success of you and your team comes down to having:

a FOCUSED MINDSETa clear PURPOSE and deep COMMITMENTRESILIENCE and MOTIVATION

As part of our valued community, our gift to you is FREE ACCESS to Modules 1 and 2 of the “Supercharge Leading Remotely” online course that will deep dive into these skills!

What you get in the toolkitFree access to modules 1 & 2Educational videos2 x workbooks to work through in your time or with your teamAdditional resources to read and listen toA quiz to complete at the endModule 1 – Mindset MattersKey themesMindset and where it comes fromThe process of thoughts, feelings and actionsThe three facets of self-awarenessInner dialogue and how to control itBubble vs. Bursting mindset and beliefs that serve youModule 2 – Purpose, Commitment & MotivationKey themesThe Commitment Quadrant and your positionBuilding a cadence of accountabilityPurpose of self and teamThe belief of self and teamUnderstanding motivation and how to tap into it

To adjust, adapt and amplify both the psychological and physical aspects when leading from anywhere, click here to join our online program!

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Find out where you sit on the Leadership Ladder, your responses are anonymous, and the results summarised to help us better understand where our market sits so that we can continue to provide, insights, tools and solutions to assist you in moving up to be LIMITLESS, co-creative and stand out.

Renée is a mentor, coach, expert facilitator and keynote speaker; She is the author of  ‘Gift Mindset®‘, ‘Limitless Leadership’ and co-author of ‘Leaders of Influence’.

PS: Want to skyrocket your success from working anywhere? We've launched our online program, and you can read more about that here.