A Candid Moment with Sophora: Best Version

Be the leader you would follow...

Sometimes I often find myself contemplating hard decisions, and it goes without saying that when you are a leader specifically the kind that has a team, agency, and clients depending on you, contemplating becomes a regular thing. I like to call it the C-word because it takes reflection, and rational thinking, and setting emotions aside (which is a stupid concept because emotions are what make us human), and that is exhausting. So naturally, with my sense of humor, I resort to making things into a cuss word. Here's the thing about the C-word, it can be frustrating and isolating, it makes you realize that it's lonely at the top (which is also a stupid saying because leading is never "being on top", it's pushing and encouraging and cheering from behind). But nevertheless, the C-word can take you down a rabbit hole of never-ending thoughts of responsibility and dread. It can be a place where your ego lives, I often find my ego camping out there. Ever make a good decision that works out or that people praise you for? Ya that fills up the ego.  But what the C-word can really do for a leader is bring you to a beautiful place of reflection and empowerment. Is it easy to go to that place? No, it's not, but if we can direct the contemplation process to reflection and empowerment it can change everything. For me when I find myself hanging out with the C-word, which is a S*&T ton during this God-awful pandemic there are key questions I ask myself to drive this process. What kind of leader would I want to follow AND what kind of leader do I want to be in this moment? If I stick to those two questions in contemplating big decisions, responding to a crisis, and having to pivot at a moment's notice I find myself grounded in the certainty that I am authentically me and after all, you're a leader for a reason.

With Love and Leadership,

Sophora