When Are You at Your Best as a Leader?

Entering fall, I always feel like I’m starting over somehow. I start travelling again for workshops, and work moves along at its own pace and just carries me with it. Maybe that’s why this is the time I often reflect on why I do this work. It often comes back to this one question–but not necessarily in the way you’d expect. 

September’s reflection question is:

When am I my best as a person?

When I ask myself that question, it’s not that my job is the first thing that comes to mind. But I do think of times when I’ve really been able to really see people, or make people feel understood, or create a space for people to meet each other or themselves. I remember meals I’ve cooked and hosted. I think of interactive art pieces or performances. And then, yes, eventually I think of meeting with teams and individuals for my job.

Sway came about several years ago, when I realized that the job I was in was using almost none of my talents, and I wanted to use them more for my work. 

We each have these moments (maybe 10 max that occur over the year) where we’ve witnessed a higher version of ourselves. A self that surprises us with its generosity or productivity or wisdom, and the ease with which these things flow out of us. 

Sometimes I think the only thing any of us can do, is to reflect on the best versions of ourselves and then to walk toward that person. Maybe that’s the superpower everybody has. 

Happy to be leading with you,

Ashlee