Renee Giarrusso's Blog, page 5

Unveiling the Magic of Relearning: Transformative Insights for Personal and Professional Growth

This week’s blog is a personal one.

Four weeks ago, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 HER2positive Breast Cancer.

This has come as an absolute shock.

For the last four years, I’ve seen my beautiful younger sister, Lyndelle, fight this terrible disease. She is now on the other side of it and facing more health challenges. I have had all the mandatory breast screening tests, with all tests being clear, even last December.

For a few weeks in March, I’d had a tender right armpit, thinking maybe I was run down. My intuition kept nagging at me to have it checked, so I asked my doctor on the way out of a check-up (lucky I did). After an ultrasound and biopsy, cancer was found in my right breast and 20 lymph nodes. It was my strong intuition to have it looked at, which resulted in numerous tests and a diagnosis within five days.

As I always say, always trust your gut. In this instance, it most probably saved my life.

I now face six months of chemotherapy (one down), surgery, 18 rounds of another chemotherapy and six months of radiation. This has turned my world upside down, as have my family and close friends. I still feel as though someone is going to wake me up from a bad dream. It’s something I thought I would never go through.

I am optimistic that I will beat this, and I have been overwhelmed by all the support and love from family, friends, and clients. My support network has been amazing, and I’m finally having to ask for a bit of help, something very unfamiliar to me, but I am getting there.

Being a high-functioning person, it’s taken me being very sick six days post-chemo to know things need to change. I am now working through unlearning the way I do work and life.

The first thing my team and I did was remove night events charity work and put a pause on the committees and a board I was on. International programs will now be run virtually (the gift of relearning in Covid), and I will be working at a slower pace the week after each chemo.

Some people have questioned this, and my response is that the work I do with clients I love gives me purpose and contribution, and I will continue to do that. Along with my amazing team, we will continue designing and running all our transformational programs and 1:1 Leadership and business coaching.

It’s easy to learn a rhythm of work and life; it’s more challenging to relearn the way we do this. In my case, relearning work and life to slow down and find more balance is the gift of this not-so-great experience.

In life and the workplace, the journey of learning is perpetual. However, what sets individuals and workplaces apart is their willingness and ability to relearn—to embrace new perspectives, skills, and knowledge.

“Relearning is the compass guiding us through uncharted territories, illuminating new paths of growth and discovery.”

Relearning is not merely about learning new information but involves unlearning outdated practices, working methods and beliefs while adapting to evolving circumstances.

I think relearning our personal and professional ways can provide transformative insights and growth.

Here is what I have gleaned so far:

Adaptability as a Key Competency:

In today's fast-paced world, adaptability has emerged as a non-negotiable competency for individuals and workplaces. Embodying the concept of relearning fosters adaptability by encouraging openness to change and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
Individuals who value relearning are better equipped to navigate uncertainty, seize new opportunities, and thrive in dynamic environments.

Continuous Improvement and Innovation:

Relearning triggers continuous improvement and innovation, driving progress and competitiveness. When we revisit existing processes, methodologies, and approaches, individuals and teams can identify areas for enhancement and innovation.
Workplaces that foster a culture of relearning can create a dynamic environment where experimentation and creativity flourish, leading to breakthroughs and advancements.

Resilience in the Face of Challenges:

Resilience is built upon the foundation of adaptability and the ability to bounce back from setbacks.
The Gift of Resilience, which I share in my book Gift Mindset, is all about embracing relearning to equip individuals with the resilience to confront challenges and setbacks with a growth mindset.
Rather than viewing obstacles as roadblocks, individuals prioritising relearning perceive them as opportunities for growth and development, fostering resilience in the face of adversity. This is what the Gift Mindset is all about learning, from the challenging people and situations we encounter.

Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills:

Relearning expands our problem-solving ability by introducing new perspectives and approaches.
Through exposure to diverse ideas and methodologies, we can gain insights that enable us to tackle complex problems more effectively. By encouraging relearning, workplaces and leaders can empower their employees to adopt a proactive approach to problem-solving, driving innovation and efficiency.

Cultivating a Culture of Learning:

Embracing relearning fosters a culture of continuous learning where curiosity and exploration are encouraged.

Leaders, I believe, play a pivotal role in cultivating a learning culture by modelling the importance of relearning and providing resources and support for professional development. Workplaces focusing on relearning as a core value attract and retain top talent, as individuals are drawn to environments that foster growth and learning opportunities.

For years, I have worked within hundreds of organisations across multiple levels and teams, teaching people to learn, relearn, and constantly evolve their leadership of themselves and others.

My journey to relearning many things has only just begun and is and will be a transformative journey that transcends boundaries between personal and professional development. By embracing relearning, we can adapt to change, drive innovation, build resilience, enhance problem-solving skills, and cultivate a culture of continuous learning.

As we navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving world, the ability to relearn becomes not only a competitive advantage but also a cornerstone of success and fulfilment in both life and the workplace.

Relearning has an element of magic to it. It’s full of possibility, growth and a deeper connection to oneself and others.

I look forward to sharing my journey and I’d love to hear your feedback and thoughts on how you can foster a culture of learning within your workplace.

Lead to be limitless!

60. Mastering Self-Control – You Are In Charge with Dr. Jane Foster

This episode was recorded just before my diagnosis and it is helping me get through my healing journey and with getting used to a new normal for life at the moment. No matter where you are or what you’re going through right now, this podcast is relevant for anyone going through change whether it’s in the workplace or life.

The roads you’ve travelled may influence you, but they don’t have to define you. With self-control, you are in charge.

Dr. Jane Foster, our guest for this podcast episode, believes that we may be unable to control people and circumstances, but we can always learn to control how we respond to them.

Dr. Foster is the Founder and Director of Emotional Resilience Training. She’s also an educator, researcher, presenter, and author of It’s in Your Hands: Your Steering Wheel, Your Choice. She holds a PhD in Health and Education and is qualified in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shiatsu, and Yoga.

You can watch the podcast here, click the image below, or listen on your favourite platforms.

 

Key Take Aways:

We delved into Dr. Foster’s experience and how it motivated her to develop a universal language that replaces blame, judgment, and retaliation with responsibility, empathy, and compassion.

Taking responsibility positively impacts self-esteem and self-regulationPeople who say or do hurtful things are the ones on a rough road.Just because you are alone on your road doesn’t mean you are going in the wrong direction.Proactive strategies to help build emotional resilience, manage daily stresses, successfully change perspectives and create new neural pathwaysUsing metaphors to gain objectivityIntroducing the steering wheel replaces blame with responsibility and controlDon’t wish for smoother roads. Aim for greater skills to handle all conditions.Empowering people with the tools and confidence to lead from within.

 

Contact Dr. Jane Foster:

Emotional Resilience Website

Emotional Resilience on Instagram

Dr Jane Foster on LinkedIn

Enjoy This Podcast?

Leadership in changing times can be difficult, but you can adopt certain traits to get your team through it. You can also join mentorship programs to gain the skills you need.

Please post a review and share it! If you learned something by tuning into this podcast, do not hesitate to write a review and share it with your friends! The world needs more people with the drive and leadership qualities to make the world a better place. We need strong leadership skills and a learner’s attitude today more than ever.

For more updates and episodes, subscribe to the Limitless Leaders podcast page!

Have any questions? You can contact me through these platforms:

Company website   Instagram   Facebook   LinkedIn   

To leading the future,

Renée

Gratitude Unlocks The Fullness Of Life

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” – Melody Beattie

Gratitude, praise, and recognition take various forms, such as positive feedback, a thank-you note, or a token of appreciation like a lunch invitation.

With hybrid work models here to stay, integrating gratitude into real-time interactions has become vital.

Research underscores the importance of appreciation in fostering strong workplace relationships. Studies show a 61% decrease in job turnover among those who feel valued.

Genuine gratitude, given without ulterior motives, is free and deeply impactful.

Rooted in our evolutionary history and childhood development, gratitude is primarily ‘other-oriented’, emphasising appreciation for the actions and support of others. It serves as a catalyst for fostering a culture of connection and collaboration in the workplace.

Practising gratitude involves actions, feelings, and mindset shifts, encouraging individuals to appreciate goodness and pay it forward.

Incorporating gratitude into workplace culture strengthens relationships and promotes generosity and kindness.

With all the pressures of a modern work culture, gratitude can often be overlooked. However, its implementation is needed to maintain employee engagement and well-being.

Understanding how individuals express and receive gratitude is essential for leaders cultivating a culture of appreciation. Expressing genuine gratitude fosters a sense of belonging and reinforces the importance of each team member’s contributions.

Research demonstrates the myriad benefits of gratitude, spanning physical, psychological, and social dimensions. Individuals who practice gratitude consistently report enhanced well-being and social connections.

Gratitude serves as a social emotion, strengthening relationships by acknowledging the support received from others. While thankfulness may be internal, gratitude is typically directed outward, emphasising reciprocity and connection.

Simple gestures, such as spontaneous compliments or expressions of gratitude, can profoundly impact workplace culture. Creating opportunities for team members to share appreciation fosters a positive and collaborative work environment.

By amplifying practices that foster appreciation and connection, organisations can cultivate a culture that attracts and retains talent.

It only takes a moment to be grateful.

Ideas to unwrap the Gift of Gratitude:Compliment work colleagues on the fly; don’t always wait until the time is right.Let a colleague know what they mean to you.Be thankful for the growth opportunity challenges bring.Be grateful for learning something new and share this with others.Invest in moments to be thankful for – this will ensure you create a consistent loop of building, expressing, and living the Gift of Gratitude.Individually or as a team, kick-off team catch-ups with the question, “Who and what are you grateful for?”For every negative in conversations or your thoughts, come up with three positives; this is called the 3:1 ratio.Introduce “Win Wednesdays,” where each team member shares a win, big or small, and who and what helped them achieve it.Acknowledge the silver lining or the Gift in all situations and what it has taught you.

Now is the time to amplify workplace practices that may have been taken for granted, such as the simple act of gratitude and appreciation. Gratitude is the conduit to strong and connected relationships and a collaborative culture people want to be a part of.

Lead to be Limitless…

59. Create A Healthy Workplace – You Can Make A Difference with Michelle Gibbings

Helping leaders, teams, and organisations create successful workplaces, where people thrive and progress is accelerated, is the mission of our podcast guest, Michelle Gibbings. Michelle is a workplace expert, the award-winning author of three books, and a global keynote speaker. Throughout the conversation, Michelle shares her love for learning and how education is an equaliser and can make such a difference in helping people grow and realise their opportunities and potential. 

You can watch the podcast here, click the image below, or listen on your favourite platforms.

Key Take Aways:

We talked about the challenges she experienced and the lessons she gained throughout her career. She believes that leadership means bringing out the best in those around you and helping them get to where they need to go.

Feeling uncomfortable when learning, and the growth that comes from it.The value of constantly gaining knowledgeRecognising opportunities and potential of people around you Taking risks, knowing your trade-offs and backing yourselfThe importance of setting boundaries and learning to say no.Focusing on the ‘could do' not the ‘should do'.Understanding that successful impact is never one size fits allIf you're not stopping something, you're not creating the space to start something.Leadership is a learned skill; it's not just something you are born withRealising the power of hard work and persistence

Contact Michelle Gibbings:

Michelle Gibbings Website

Michelle Gibbings on LinkedIn

Michelle Gibbings on Instagram

Enjoy This Podcast?

Leadership in changing times can be difficult, but you can adopt certain traits to get your team through it. You can also join mentorship programs to gain the skills you need.

Please post a review and share it! If you learned something by tuning into this podcast, do not hesitate to write a review and share it with your friends! The world needs more people with the drive and leadership qualities to make the world a better place. We need strong leadership skills and a learner’s attitude today more than ever.

For more updates and episodes, subscribe to the Limitless Leaders podcast page!

Have any questions? You can contact me through these platforms:

Company website   Instagram   Facebook   LinkedIn   

To leading the future,

Renée

Focus On Your Character – Your Reputation Is A Shadow Of This

As we know, reputation is the public face we present to the world; character is the foundation upon which it is built. 

In the intricate web of human interactions, character is the unseen force that shapes perceptions and defines reputations.

When clients ask me how they can elevate their brand presence, their leadership profile or whatever you want to call it, I always say…”Focus on your Character; your reputation is simply a shadow of this.”

Focusing on your character enriches personal growth and paves the path towards your reputation. There is a strong symbiotic relationship between character and reputation, and by nurturing one's character, we can enhance how others see the real us.

Below are a few tried and tested character-building tips:Embrace Authenticity:

The alignment between one's inner values and outward actions can resonate deeply with others. Embrace authenticity by reflecting on your core values and strive to align your behaviours that match these values. Authenticity fosters trust and rapport with others, laying the groundwork for a positive reputation built on sincerity and genuineness.

Cultivate Resilience Through Adversity:

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks with grace and determination and is a sign of strong character. Cultivate resilience by reframing challenges as opportunities for growth, maintaining an optimistic mindset, and seeking support from your network when needed. Adopt a Gift Mindset, where you embrace the lesson in all challenging and positive experiences. Demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity earns admiration and respect, shows you are human and enhances your reputation as a resilient and steadfast individual.

Be Compassionate and Empathetic:

Empathy and compassion are foundational virtues that nurture meaningful relationships and foster a sense of community. Practice empathy by actively listening to others, seeking to understand their perspectives, and offering support and kindness. Acts of compassion not only enrich your personal relationships but also cultivate a reputation as a caring and empathetic individual who cares about the well-being of others.

Demonstrate Accountability and Responsibility:

Accountability and responsibility are integral to effective leadership and success. Show accountability by taking ownership of your actions and decisions holding yourself to the highest standards of integrity and transparency. Assume responsibility for your role in collaborative interactions, contributing positively to team dynamics and fostering a culture of accountability. By embodying accountability, you inspire trust and confidence, building a reputation for true leadership. Simply put, walk your talk, learn, and do as opposed to showing and telling.

Pursue Growth and Excellence:

Excellence results from a true commitment to continuous improvement and mastery. Pursue excellence by setting high standards for yourself, seeking opportunities for learning and growth, and striving to exceed expectations in whatever you do. Embrace a growth mindset that welcomes challenges as opportunities for self-improvement and innovation. Your dedication to excellence can help you earn recognition and admiration, enhancing your reputation as a driven and accomplished individual.

“Your reputation is that which people think you are your character is that which you are.”
—  Napoleon Hill

I believe the benefits of focusing on character are multi-dimensional, extending far beyond personal growth to shape our reputation and standing in society. 

When we embrace authenticity, foster resilience, practice empathy and compassion, demonstrate accountability and responsibility, and pursue growth & excellence, we can nurture our real character and cultivate a reputation grounded in trust, credibility, and respect. 

Take the time to reflect on the above tips and start focusing your energy on the character-building area that feels right for you.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on what resonates and works for you.

Lead to be Limitless…

Is Distraction Limiting Your Limitless Leadership?

Never in human history have our brains had to work with so much information as they do today …
We have a generation of people who are so busy processing the information received from all directions that they are losing the ability to think and feel.
— Edward Hallowell, US psychiatrist

Distraction is a real challenge for human beings living in this fast-paced digital age.

It’s simple, when we become distracted, we can become removed from the present moment. 

When we are not fully present, we aren’t as open to what is going on around us. 

In any role, this can lead to a lack of focus on who and what is important. 

Distraction can stifle our ability to think and feel, as we lose connection to ourselves and others. This can lead to overwhelm, a lack of motivation and productivity and a lack of deep and meaningful relationships and interactions necessary to connection and our success.

Not only does distraction lower our productivity and energy, but it affects our ability to focus on and stick with projects. It affects our mindset – that is, our beliefs, thoughts and expectations that will determine how we perceive and therefore respond to what happens to us. 

Limitless leaders learn, unlearn, relearn, and evolve and distractions can stifle progress at the head (logic), Heart (knowing) and Gut (intuitive) level.

Every day we are bombarded with more information and change than we can process. From scrolling through our social media feeds to reading the newspaper, turning on the television and radio or simply surfing the internet, we attempt to make sense of all the data being directed at us. 

In the workplace we may be leading unmotivated teams, implementing new systems and processes or juggling change, market challenges, remote work and the daily distractions that sometimes can’t be avoided.

It’s impossible to process everything that is thrown at us and to combat this overload, we tend to take shortcuts in our thinking, expectations and problem-solving, usually unconsciously. 

In a Udemy for Business survey, nearly three out of four workers (70%) admitted they feel distracted at work, with 16% of people stating that they’re almost always distracted. 

The impact of workplace distractions, according to the report, included that: 

54% said they ‘aren’t performing as well as they should’. 50% said they ‘are significantly less productive’. 20% said they are ‘not able to reach full potential and advance in their career’. 

The same survey from Udemy cited the top benefits of reducing workplace distraction from those interviewed: 

75% stated ‘I get more done and I’m more productive’. 57% stated ‘I’m motivated to do my best’. 51% stated ‘I’m more confident in my ability to do my job well’. 49% stated ‘I’m happier at work’. 44% stated ‘I deliver higher quality work’. 

Top distractions included talkative co-workers (cited by 80% of workers surveyed), and office noise (70%). 

Meetings were blamed for low productivity by 60% of respondents, while 58% said that, although they don’t need social media to do their jobs, they couldn’t make it through the working day.

Leaders often encounter various distractors in their roles as do many executives not leading teams.

 

Below I have listed five common distractors with a solution for each:

Lack of Motivation:

Distractor: Decreased motivation or engagement levels within the team, leading to lower productivity and moral.

Solution: Foster a positive work environment, provide opportunities for professional development and growth, show gratitude and reward achievements, set challenging yet achievable goals, and lead by example with enthusiasm and passion. Understand what lights up or energises everyone in your team up and drive tasks to suit.

Resisting Change:

Distractor: It’s common to get resistance from team members or stakeholders to adopt new strategies, ways of working or even processes.

Solution: Encourage open communication to address concerns, provide logic and heart behind changes, involve team members in decision-making, and offer training and support to ease the transition. Remember to always share the “why” of whatever is changing. As human beings we need to know what is in it for us, share the benefit of the change, new system etc.

Poor Communication:

Distractor: Communication breakdowns leading to misunderstandings, errors, or inefficiencies. There is no such thing as a personality clash, it’s simply a communication breakdown.

Solution: Implement regular communication channels such as team meetings, one-on-one discussions, and feedback sessions. Encourage active listening, clarity in messages, and transparency in information sharing. Utilize communication tools and technologies effectively.

Conflict and Tension:

Distractor: Conflicts arising from differing opinions, personalities, or goals among team members can be a huge distractor for you and the wider team.

Solution: Facilitate open dialogue, establish clear expectations and guidelines for conflict resolution, encourage empathy and understanding, and intervene early to prevent escalation. Create forums and a safe space for people to share lessons, challenges and how they feel.

Work-Life Balance:

Distractor: There is the real struggle in maintaining a healthy balance between work responsibilities, remote work, and personal life commitments. Wellbeing issues are at an all-time high and not only affect the individual but team and business.

Solution: Lead by example by living work-life balance, promote flexible work arrangements where feasible, encourage time management strategies, provide resources for stress management and wellness initiatives, and support employees in achieving harmony between their professional and personal lives.

In addition to the above distractors there are many more that can arise. These are the key ones I witness within teams and organisations.

By addressing these distractors with appropriate solutions, leaders can navigate challenges more effectively and foster a positive and productive work environment.

Reflect on what is distracting you and your team right now?

Lead to be Limitless…

Embracing Differences: A Guide to Building Inclusive Workplace Cultures

Today is International Women’s Day!

As with every day, it’s a great reminder to show gratitude to those women in our lives, and I look forward to celebrating the amazing women in my life who support, encourage, and empower me.

After a few keynote presentations today and attending a client event, I look forward to reflecting on the women who are part of who I am and who I am continually becoming. 

My Mum has taught me so much and continues to do so. There are so many qualities within me that stem from the lessons and insights I gleaned growing up. Anything I have ever wanted to do or be, my Mum always encouraged me to be true to myself, be me, work hard, find purpose, and stay focused. 

Leaving the safe cocoon of the corporate world 18 years ago to start my own Executive training & Coaching company has been no easy feat. The discipline, grit, gratitude, and grace I have needed and continue to need come from the reserves of support, advice, and insights I have accumulated throughout my life from some very special women.

The theme this year is #InspireInclusion

To me, inclusion is simply the practice of ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their differences, backgrounds, cultures, or identities, are respected, valued, and given opportunities. In the workplace, inclusion involves creating environments where diversity is embraced, and every person feels a sense of belonging, fostering a society of acceptance, empathy, and equal participation.

Being Italian, on one side, I have always been attracted to people from different cultures and backgrounds. I have never looked at anyone as different; we are all human beings and connected. We all have special gifts to bring to the table, and every workplace is a melting pot of diversity and skill that needs to be appreciated and leveraged.

Inclusivity is non-negotiable, and we need to embrace it in and out of the workplace.

We need to understand others, learn about what makes them unique and take the time to connect. Remember that no one is the same and that is a good thing.

People are like colours

We all emit different tones and hues

Alone, we are unique

Together, we are one and a rainbow of multi-faceted diversity

We all have different experiences, skills, passions, traits, and motivators, and the diversity of these factors creates our unique blueprint.

Inclusivity, as with equity, can give us a sense of belonging. When we embrace equity, we embrace diversity and inclusion to help drive success for all.

Creating an inclusive workplace involves fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported regardless of their background, identity, or beliefs.

6 Ways to promote inclusion in the workplace:Foster Open Communication

Leaders should encourage open communication and create a safe environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. This includes actively seeking out diverse perspectives and feedback from employees. Coaching 1:1 is also a great way to truly connect and understand others.

Implement regular feedback mechanisms such as surveys, focus groups, or suggestion boxes to gather insights on the workplace climate and identify areas for improvement.

Encourage active listening at all organisational levels. Leaders should be approachable and receptive to feedback from diverse sources.

Lead by example

Senior leadership plays a crucial role in setting the tone for inclusivity. Leaders should demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion through their actions, policies, and decision-making.

Showcase diverse role models within your workplace.  A great idea is to highlight individuals from various backgrounds in leadership positions to inspire others and demonstrate that this pathway is possible for everyone.

Model inclusive behaviours and be committed to creating a culture of equity and inclusion. Leaders should set clear expectations for their team and hold themselves and others accountable for equitable behaviours. This needs to be reviewed ongoing as team dynamics change.

A great team conversation to have:
What does the team expect of you?
What do you expect of the team?
What does each individual expect of themselves and each other?

Identify and leverage differences

We all have differing skills, experiences, motivations, beliefs, and ideas. The key is to invest time in understanding each person’s strengths. 

Who are they, really? What are they great at? What lights them up at work? What transferable experience could they contribute to the team? What is their story?

When we are aware of what makes people tick and what they can contribute, we can appreciate these things and complement each other to leverage a strength-based team and organisation. When people get to do the things that light them up and share their uniqueness, this becomes a superpower, as differences are leveraged, not left in the dark. Inclusion is the outcome of this.

Cultivate a Sense of Belonging

The best way workplaces can nurture a sense of belonging is by promoting inclusivity, appreciating diverse viewpoints, and establishing a supportive atmosphere.

This needs to start with leaders displaying a dedication to fairness and attentively considering all perspectives. Initiatives such as employee resource groups, mentorship schemes, and inclusive policies empower individuals. Recognising and celebrating diversity through cultural events and educational sessions can assist in fostering mutual understanding. Promoting teamwork across departments and acknowledging accomplishments can reinforce a sense of value. This collective approach creates a sense of belonging that naturally thrives within the workplace.

Create a Gift Mindset Culture

The Gift Mindset is one where we unwrap the lessons in our experiences, negative or positive. When we create regular forums in the workplace for individuals to identify and share their gifts (lessons) learnt from challenges, mistakes, and successes, we gain a deeper, more connected understanding of each other. 

Many of our clients are running “Win Wednesdays” and “Failure Fridays”, where they share weekly wins and challenges/mistakes and share how they moved through these. This creates the sharing of best practices, connection to each other and the sharing of lessons that could be a survival guide for someone else. Sharing our experiences and the strategies that got us through opens the portal to real collaboration, appreciation of diversity and inclusion.

Review and Renew Policies and Practices

Assess and update HR policies and practices regularly to ensure they are inclusive and equitable. This includes recruitment, hiring, onboarding, promotions, and performance evaluations.

Implement flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible hours, to accommodate diverse needs and lifestyles.

Offer inclusive benefits packages that consider employees’ diverse needs, such as parental leave, mental health resources, and accessibility accommodations.

Implementing these key strategies can create more inclusive workplaces where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work.

What practices, behaviours and conversations have you implemented to forge inclusion in your organisation?

Lead to be Limitless!

 

58. How Caring in your Organisation leads to Effective and Fulfilled Leadership with Alex Pirouz

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Alex Pirouz, Co-Founder of Windsor Advisers, a boutique advisory firm. With decades of intellectual capital, their founders have successfully scaled and exited multiple businesses. Throughout the conversation, Alex shares his personal journey of overcoming failures and finding success, emphasising the value of learning and embracing challenges, and the importance of being open to feedback for personal and professional growth.

You can listen to the podcast below or on your favourite platforms.

Key Take Aways:

We discuss building a good culture and strong leadership within organisations, addressing challenges in sales and marketing coordination, the evolving expectations of job seekers and the need for adaptability.

Alex’s journey from failures to successes and getting a mentorThe power of reframing challengesThe qualities of an effective and fulfilled leaderSales and marketing in the next normalFixing sales and marketing issues before planningCreating a culture of open communication and conflict resolutionBuilding connections through personalised onboarding and one-on-one conversationsListening and caring as core values to transform workplace cultureReinforcing values through screensavers and daily reminders.

 

Contact Alex:

Windsor Advisers Website

Alex Pirouz on LinkedIn

 

Enjoy This Podcast?

Leadership in changing times can be difficult, but you can adopt certain traits to get your team through it. You can also join mentorship programs to gain the skills you need.

Please post a review and share it! If you learned something by tuning into this podcast, do not hesitate to write a review and share it with your friends! The world needs more people with the drive and leadership qualities to make the world a better place. We need strong leadership skills and a learner’s attitude today more than ever.

For more updates and episodes, subscribe to the Limitless Leaders podcast page!

Have any questions? You can contact me through these platforms:

Company website   Instagram   Facebook   LinkedIn   

To leading the future,

Renée

Forgiveness In The Workplace – What This Taboo Topic Is Costing You

Whether we practice forgiveness in the workplace or at home, forgiveness requires us to have a full heart. 

We need to be strong, open, brave, resilient, and show vulnerability and empathy. 

Brené Brown talks about these qualities belonging to ‘whole-hearted people’. Many people are too weakened by their hurt to be able to forgive. Consciously taking the right steps towards forgiveness will kick off the process of living life from a position of strength rather than weakness.

Psychologists define forgiveness as a deliberate and conscious decision to let go of or release feelings of resentment towards a person, a group, or a situation. It is a process of letting go of hurt and anger, whether forgiveness is deserved. I think of forgiveness as both an emotion and a verb – a process we can all access.

When we come to forgive, it doesn’t mean we forget or condone what has happened. Instead, we forgive to create peace and space to move forward. Holding onto resentment is like poison, and every human deserves peace within. Forgiveness is rarely discussed in the workplace.

When lacking in the workplace, forgiveness can have several detrimental effects on both individuals and the overall workplace environment. Firstly, unresolved conflicts and grievances can bubble under the surface, leading to increased tension, hostility, and decreased morale among employees. This can create a toxic work environment where productivity and collaboration suffer.

When forgiveness is absent, trust between colleagues diminishes. Employees may become guarded and reluctant to share ideas or collaborate openly, fearing backlash or judgment. This lack of trust can hinder teamwork and progress toward common goals and innovation.

Holding onto grudges can diminish our personal growth and hinder our professional development. Instead of learning from mistakes or constructive feedback, individuals may dwell on past grievances, hindering their ability to adapt and improve. This can be toxic and is not always linked to forgiveness but instead burn out, wrong job fit or low motivation. 

An absence of forgiveness in the workplace can lead to a lack of retention as employees become disillusioned and seek opportunities elsewhere. This turnover can be costly in terms of recruitment, training, and lost knowledge.

To me, when we forgive, we move from poison to peace.

 

Imagine if forgiveness and the lessons we gleaned were shared in the workplace.

Relationships would be truer and stronger, and this could lead to a more collaborative and connected culture.

Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different, it’s accepting the past for what it was, and using this moment and this time to help you move forward. — Oprah Winfrey

Here are a few tips to go from a place of poison to peace; they will help you to unwrap your past, present or future Gifts of Forgiveness:

The 6 Keys to Forgiveness

To download a copy of the 6 Keys to Forgiveness Infographic, click here.

Identify and Acknowledge your hurt

It’s important to know the source of the hurt or betrayal you are living with. Take the time to acknowledge how you are feeling and recognise your thoughts towards it.

Forgive yourself

Realising that everything that has happened, good or bad, has been pivotal to becoming the person you are today paves the way to self-forgiveness. Shift your thoughts and feelings towards the positive and the present.

Change your story

The things we tell ourselves shape our beliefs and create the story we live by. Take the time to revisit your beliefs around the story you hold in the context of what needs to be forgiven.

Develop a forgiving mind through empathy

By practising empathy, you are ‘feeling into’ the other person – whether you believe what happened was wrong or right is irrelevant. We can forgive others in many ways, depending on where we are and how we want the relationship moving forward.

Seek support

Tap into resources such as reading and inspirational podcasts, which can equip you with motivation and supportive insights.

Practise gratitude

When we come to a place of peace, we have the best chance to live our best life and focus on what we have rather than what we don’t have or what isn’t perfect.

Acceptance is the portal to forgiveness – taking the time to acknowledge and identify the cause and our feelings allows us to choose how we want to forgive and what we need to do.

What do you need to do to unwrap and reveal your Gift of Forgiveness?

Lead to be Limitless…

10 LeaderShift Strategies To Be A Limitless Leader

Leadership starts with you. It is an inward job, and we need to lead ourselves before we can lead decisions and teams.

Limitless Leaders learn, unlearn, relearn, and constantly evolve.

They focus on self-growth to ensure they are learning and contributing to others.

To be LIMITLESS, we need to focus on our energy on what I call the 5 Dimensions of Energy. To do this, we need to apply tools, new habits and enablers that allow us to ensure that our mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual energy is topped up.

Sometimes, it is good to pause and look at why you are doing what you do.

As part of our transformational Limitless Leaders programs, we focus on 10 key tools and strategies to create more ease, headspace, time, and stronger leadership. Below are the 10 LeaderShift strategies to allow you to implement these and create habits and awareness of bringing them into your daily work life.

1. Delegate what you like doing

We often delegate what bores us, but instead, we should delegate something we are no longer learning from. As a leader, I think it’s selfish not to do this. Delegate as part of a master plan by understanding the skills of your co-workers and tapping into these—delegate based on strengths. Letting go of something you have learnt can empower others and free up your time to focus on progressive tasks often neglected.

2. Adopt a Gift Mindset to grow and empower others

The Gift Mindset allows us to share the lessons gleaned from the challenges, mistakes, and successes we encounter in the workplace. This helps us replicate success by sharing best practices and learnings, as our lessons could be a survival guide for someone else. Create “Win Wednesdays”, where you and the team share successes and how these came to be and “Failure Fridays”, where mistakes and challenges are shared and key learnings are discussed. Sharing our gifts increases psychological safety, connection, and collaboration.

3. Create self-growth habits

The world is your oyster when it comes to learning on and off the job. Create self-growth habits to progress you and others forward. Embrace change and get comfortable getting uncomfortable. Create a reading habit, listen to podcasts, join an industry association and share learnings. Reframe challenges as growth opportunities and use these lessons to progress forward. Share your learnings with your peers or team.

4. Manage yourself to manage time

Time is inelastic; we all are given the same amount. On any day, we are given 32 sets of 25-minute blocks; this equates to 160 opportunities per week to set aside focus time. Title each chunk of time with the focus or objective and shut down all programs except the one you are working in. Chunk your diary and jealously protect your time. Be intentional and planned, and see what happens! Know your energy vampires; who and what drains your time?

The Pomodoro technique is great for individuals and teams. Use a timer to break your work into 25-minute intervals and watch productivity lift.

5. Communicate and build rapport to connect

Rapport is about connection and equates to influence. More than ever, we need to ramp up “real” in-person connections. Take the time to focus on similarities and minimise differences. Ask how people are, be present, and listen. Communicate openly, clearly, and consistently. Think about the first 12 words you say when you open a conversation; make these impactful, not a mundane greeting. Think about your first twelve steps when you walk into a room. Ensure your energy is higher than the room’s, and your posture is friendly and open. To lead the room, you need to read a room. These things can set the scene and determine the first impression you make.

6. Spread the energy of optimism

Optimism is contagious and a key trait in successful people and leaders. Smile and laugh like an optimist; this increases mood and your immune system and affects others around you. Think about what makes you optimistic, as this can raise your optimism levels. Reframe the mundane greeting of “How are you?” to “What’s the best thing that’s happened today?” Being grateful gets you to focus on what you do have, and the practice of gratitude can raise optimism.

7. Do what lights you up

Too often, people do what they are good at but not necessarily what they are good at and enjoy. There is a big difference. Since we spend, on average, 90,000 hours at work in our lifetime, this needs to be a priority. Identify the things that light you up and energise you at work. Know what doesn’t light you up and leverage this from others. Do these things as often as possible and satisfy these to ensure happiness, fulfilment, and effectiveness in the role. If you are leading a team, ask them what lights them up. Leverage this for limitless success.

8. Unwrap the gift of curiosity

Curiosity is the portal to exploring, learning, and bringing ideas to life. Instead of thinking of things as a statement such as “That team is amazing”, flip this to a question such as “What makes that team amazing?” This turns the thought from observation to provocation, where we ask questions, seek information, and explore the idea or thought further. This can increase innovation, creativity and sharing of best practice in the workplace. Creativity leads to connection and co-creation, with the by-product being collaboration.

9. Debate with intent trumps harmony for comfort’s sake

Got something to say, say it!

Too often, we don’t voice our opinions, ideas, or mistakes as we fear judgment and rejection. Focus on what this costs you, your team, and your organisation. To be in service, we need to lead out loud and share our ideas and thoughts by explaining the “why” and the story behind them. Expression in the workplace is needed; suppression stifles culture. We have a new game that explores the fun and thought-provoking ways to bring this to life.

10. Coach others to delegate thinking

The best organisations have an “asking” culture vs. a “telling” one. By asking questions, instead of giving the solution, you are delegating thinking, empowering others, creating future leaders, and freeing up your time to focus on the things that matter. When people can think for themselves, this increases confidence, risk-taking and stronger leadership. Ensure you have formal and informal coaching conversations in play and lose the need to be the all-telling leader instead of the all-asking one.

Enjoy bringing these strategies and tools to life.

Lead to be Limitless!