A Fearless Leader Moment

I’ve been participating in Kathy McAfee’s 8 week program and graduated today. March 1!

During the program, we were tasked with real life scenarios that included defining who we are, sharing a fearless moment story, writing a one page business plan and a ton of self reflection and self awareness. Perfect for my leadership path and my yoga journey.

Today, March 1, I’m bold enough to share my story.

Inhale. Hold for 3 seconds. Let it go!
Photo op by Chris on the ferry.

We all have those pivotal moments in life where we take a left instead of a right, answer a call or let it go into voicemail, slip on the icy road and even learn that your name is spelled differently at a young age.

It’s pronounced like Sharon, not Shireen I would proudly state when my name was called in class as a little girl and later as a professional woman. I guess it got me over being shy at a young age. For the most part, but that’s another story!

To me, being a fearless leader is being fearless and ferocious in life. Finding the strength to accept and triumph over the forks and road bumps in this journey called life.

When I first started drafting my story, I automatically started writing and reflecting on my 30 year career in the technology space. The forks in the road where I’ve been recruited, promoted, demoted and even experienced my job being eliminated without any indication, more than once!

As I reflected on the past 6 weeks of our 8 week fearless leader program, I knew my story had to shift.

Little did I know, at the time, my story would take us all down a path of introspection, silence, love and healing.

Inhale Peace.
Everything is connected. It’s up to you to choose where you spend your time and how you respond to others. May you always be at peace.

In the midst of this program, I was told in the most random of situations due to slipping on the ice, that my tonsils were swollen and they needed to be removed as quickly as possible. During the brutal healing process, I couldn’t talk for over a week. A life changing experience.

Thankfully the New Year silent yoga retreat weekend, my job, the work I was doing in this program, my writing, yoga and a few select core people in my life were all the vital needs that helped my state of mind while I was healing.

Upon reflecting on our fearless leader program and the tools were we being introduced to, I share my insights here.

As a life long leader, we are at our best when on our game. Our leadership shadow is associated with those triggers that bring out qualities that may or may not show us at our worst. This came to light as I dug into my leadership shadow and starting analyzing ways to accept it and how I can continue to grow and thrive.

Exhale Fear.
My son, one of our future fearless leaders taking time to sit on the rock and reflect.
Like me.

Words matter! Thoughts matter. Relationships matter. As an Actualized leader, our shadows can turn into our greatest strengths. And our biggest allies.

So next time you find yourself avoiding a conflict, quick to judge or not letting others shine, instead of labeling yourself conflict avoidant, critical or controlling, I am going to encourage each of you to consider your own shadow, think about the situation and the relationship. What path is it worth going down?

Be confident in your words. Be mindful in your actions. Stand tall in your strengths. Embrace your shadows. Be kind. You never know what the other person is experiencing.