Keosha Lucas’ Post

📢 Leadership for New Managers: Defeating the Inner Critic 🌟 Starting a new role with greater responsibilities can be both thrilling and challenging, won’t you agree? 🚀 So have you ever noticed that, as soon as you step up, an internal voice starts whispering doubts? ⁉ This inner critic suddenly highlighting your perceived shortcomings, making you question if you truly have what it takes. 🤔 It can act as a powerful "saboteur" or “self-judge” preventing you from taking action, if you decide to listen to it. Now, imagine sitting in a meeting with your new peers. There is an opportunity to lead a crucial piece of work. Yet, instead of seizing the opportunity, you hear that voice saying: 🤥"You’re not qualified for this.” 🙄 “There are others that will do it better.” 😟“You are new, just started, give yourself time.” 😔“What if you mess it up? Don't risk it." So, you sit back, letting the chance for growth slip away. 🤐 These saboteur voices can have a profoundly negative impact on your career if you don’t recognise them for what they are: saboteurs. 🤡 They can stifle your initiative, diminish your confidence, and hold you back from realising your full potential. ☠ Recognising this pattern and actively moving away from it is crucial for your development as a leader. 🤠 The Positive Intelligence® Programme offers practical and doable strategies to transform these sabotaging thoughts into empowering ones. 💪 It teaches how to recognise them as we go about our day-to-day business and how to take swift action to counteract their impact. 🌱 If you are ready to learn how to silence your inner critic and take charge of your growth, I am inviting you to grab one of the 3 places on my new PQ programme that is based on Positive Intelligence®. It will launch next month so DM or get in touch soon. 📩 Embrace your inner wisdom and watch yourself thrive. ✨ #LeadershipDevelopment #PositiveIntelligence #OvercomeDoubt #NewRoleChallenges #ExecutiveCoaching #CareerGrowth #SilenceYourSaboteurs #ConfidenceBoost

It's Not Personal—Or Is It? Navigating the Emotional Challenges of Leadership In every stage of my career, I've heard the advice, "It's not personal." While that wisdom has helped me push through tough decisions and difficult feedback, it hasn't always taken the sting out of certain work situations. As Melody Wilding, an executive coach, recently wrote, when you're driven to perform and feel things deeply, it's easy for interactions, decisions, or feedback to weigh heavily on your sense of self-worth. I've been there, countless times—moments when a tough conversation or unexpected outcome left me questioning my abilities. But the good news is that there are ways to break free from this pattern. Wilding offers five strategies, one of which is to "ride the wave" of your initial emotions—letting them pass before reacting. Another is to constructively clarify a colleague's intentions before making assumptions. What resonated with me most is her perspective that taking things personally isn't a weakness. In fact, it's often a sign of your deep commitment and sense of responsibility. Like anything else, developing a more objective perspective takes practice. Over the years, I've learned that stepping back and allowing myself a moment to breathe before responding makes all the difference. Take it personally, get better and move up. #LeadershipLessons #EmotionalIntelligence #ExecutiveAdvice #PersonalGrowth #MedTechLeadership

I’ll never forget a conversation that I had with my old manager about weaknesses. I was struggling a lot because I felt like the weaknesses of others was impacting our work and causing me EXTRA work and frustration. And, this a very human reaction to have, but I’m glad our conversation didn’t end with, “I’m sorry, that’s hard,” and instead ended with, “When people exhibit weaknesses, it could be your opportunity to fill the gap with your strengths.” Now, sometimes you truly do have to address the weaknesses in others, but I was really letting the issues with others bother me to an unhealthy point and not seeing the places I could actually shine because I had what others lacked. It’s a lesson I’ll never forget and a very useful reframe in most cases. I also started to try and think about my own weaknesses and when people showed patience or compensated for my shortcomings. This helped me anchor myself in a little more humility so that I could get in a more empathetic space. So I’m curious; how do you react to other’s weaknesses at work? And, how have people reacted to YOUR weaknesses in the past? #leadership #organizationalbehavior #strengths

It's so easy to get caught up in what’s wrong. I often find myself going there. Years of practising what I teach have granted me, anchors, to reach for in those moments. As Victor Frankel reflected, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” We humans tend to spend a lot of time resisting, blaming and deflecting. It’s exhausting. I often walk alongside people burdened by this. It’s their manager, their partner, their company. But what if we shift the spotlight? What if we bring the focus back to ourselves and think about our core values and who we want to be? Every time we do this, our load gets lighter, and we cast a vote for the person we wish to become and the environment we hope to create. So, take a moment to reflect on what truly matters to you. How does it show up in your everyday life? Time and again, I have seen how taking small, intentional steps can cascade and open us up to unlimited possibilities. Recently, I guided a coaching client to focus on becoming the leader he aspires to be, instead of fixating on his managers shortcomings. Rather than being, confined by his circumstances, he has taken control of his inner domain and his strength has not gone unnoticed. So, next time you get caught up in a spiral of blame or judgement, challenge yourself to invest your energy in actions that reflect who you are or who you want to be, one conscious step at a time. #leadershipcoaching #performancecoaching #mentalhealthtraining #growthleader

Great insight

Less Jedi Mind Tricks, More Genuine Connection. ✨ In a world where the pace of change is relentless and challenges are ever-evolving, one thing remains constant - the need for thoughtful leadership. Something that sounds like it should come with a side of artisanal coffee and a motivational poster. Thoughtful leadership. Yes, it's a thing, and no, you don't need to wear a cape to practice it. (although, if you have one, I'm not judging). But what makes a leader "thoughtful" rather than just "bossy with a fancy title"? It's not about throwing around jargon or delivering grand speeches. It's a mixture of 4 magical ingredients: 1. Active Listening - Imagine you're a human sponge. Soak up what your team is saying, and not just the words. If you're mentally composing your response while they're talking, you're missing out. Think of it as a "listen-first, talk-later" policy. It's like eavesdropping but without the guilt. 2. Empathy in Action - Channel your inner career counselor. If your team is having a rough day, don't just offer a "hang in there" and a thumbs-up. Understand their struggles, celebrate their wins, and make sure their daily grind doesn't feel like a grind. 3. Vision with Flexibility - Have a roadmap but don't clutch it like it's the last lifeline. Adapt and zigzag with grace, because let's face it, life rarely goes in a straight line. If life throws you a detour, don't have a meltdown - just find a new route. 4. Encourage Growth - Think of yourself as a personal trainer for your team's career - minus the sweat and squats. Push them to be their best selves, give them the high-fives they deserve, and provide constructive feedback without making them feel like they're running a marathon with bricks in their backpack. I am curious - what does thoughtful leadership look like in your world? Got any funny or insightful anecdotes to share? Drop them below and let's turn this into a lively discussion where we can all learn, laugh, and maybe even become slightly better leaders in the process. Here's to leading with a smile and a bit of savvy! 😎 #ThoughtfulLeadership #Empathy #TeamGrowth

Have you ever been caught off guard by a tough question at work? 😬 Occasionally leaders and professionals can be caught off gaurd by a question they don't have the answer to, but here’s the good news: tough questions aren’t just challenges—they’re opportunities to grow, learn, and showcase your strengths. Here are 5 simple tips to turn tough questions into opportunities for professional growth: 1️⃣ Pause and Breathe: Take a moment to gather your thoughts. Staying calm demonstrates confidence and control. 🧘♀️ 2️⃣ Listen Carefully: Fully understand the question before responding. This shows respect for the questioner’s perspective and ensures accuracy. 👂 3️⃣ Ask for Clarification: If the question is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask for more details. It shows your commitment to understanding the issue. 🤝 4️⃣ Highlight Your Strengths: Use your response as an opportunity to showcase your skills, experiences, or willingness to learn. Turn the spotlight into a positive reflection of your capabilities. 💡 5️⃣ Admit When You Don’t Know: If you’re unsure of the answer, be honest and express your eagerness to find out more. Openness builds trust and fosters collaboration. 🤔 Remember, every tough question is a chance to grow stronger as a leader and align your responses with your core values of authenticity and professionalism. How do you handle tough questions in the workplace? Share your strategies in the comments! And if this post resonates with you, like & share it to help others turn challenges into growth opportunities. 💛 #LeadershipTips #ProfessionalGrowth #ExecutiveCoaching #AuthenticLeadership #WorkplaceConfidence #ResilientLeadership #CareerDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture

How frustrated are you with the way things are going right now?   If life or business is not running smoothly ask yourself what this frustration is teaching you.   When asked this question, I hear 2 types of responses:   Response A: "I should never have done XYZ" or "I will just do this ABC task myself" or "I wish life would cut me a break"   Response A is rooted in regret, denial and blame. Ego is at play to protect the feelings of the responder but the negative outlook on the situation does not help forward thinking. It holds them back and will perpetuate or amplify a problem.   Or I hear Response B: "The experience is teaching me humility/ patience / it's showing me what I should do better next time / from now on"   This type of response brings a level of awareness to the responder that reframes the negativity into a positive state. It acknowledges the facts of the situation without casting blame. It encourages forward thinking to solve the problem in a sustainable way.   Ask yourself What have or haven't I been doing that allowed this? What could I do to prevent this from happening again? What is the best long term solution?   Key take-away, don't do something that's going to bite you in the ass later, like trying to fix it with a short term solution rooted in ego. Always think long term. Contact me, Colin Carmody for a coffee and a conversation about feeling less frustrated.   I work with Business Owners and Executive Teams to Improve their business and change their lives.   Join The Leadership Conversation and subscribe to my newsletter https://lnkd.in/dFFzQUCQ for the mindset, skillset and activity needed to be a great leader.   #businessowners #peeradvisoryboards #businesscoaching #reframe #problemsolve

🌟 Value and Worth Series: The Power of Daily Self-Check-Ins 🌟  As we explore the concepts of value and worth in our soft skills series, today’s focus is on the habit of self-evaluation. Whether you’re a leader, an aspiring leader, or anyone committed to growth, taking a few moments each day to check in with yourself can strengthen both your self-worth and your impact on others. Here’s something to consider:  🧠 Daily Self-Reflection: Take a moment each day to observe your behaviors, reactions, and any negative self-talk that might have surfaced. Ask yourself, “Am I honoring my own value as much as I honor others?” Recognizing our self-worth is essential for personal resilience and authentic confidence.  For those aiming to grow within their careers, consider adding this extra layer: 🤝 Connecting with Purpose: Reflect on how you interacted with colleagues today. Did you pause to connect with someone who needed support or a listening ear? Sometimes, the most valuable gift we can offer is simply being there—not to solve problems, but to understand and be present.  By nurturing these daily habits, we reinforce our own sense of value and worth while fostering an environment where others feel valued too.  Let’s grow together. Share your thoughts: How do you practice self-reflection, and how does it shape your interactions with others? #ValueAndWorthSeries #SelfReflection #SelfWorth #Empathy #ProfessionalGrowth #DailyPractice #LeadershipDevelopment 

Recently I had one of those experiences that I know many of us dread: a presentation that didn’t go as planned. Despite the hours of preparation, practice, and passion poured into it, the execution was far from what I had envisioned. Yes, the jitters won that round! Once upon a time, not that long ago, this would have turned my world upside down for the next 5-7 business days with a pity party. The fact is, our response to adversity is what truly shapes us. As I’m walking out of the session with my leader, I told her I wasn’t thrilled about it. No excuses for why or attempts to justify it, I just wasn’t. I knew it could be better, but what stung the most is I knew, she knew it too and I was bracing for the critique. I wasn’t met with criticism, disappointment, anger or pity, but instead understanding, empowerment, clear feedback, but most appreciated - with authentic kindness. I talk a lot with my clients about psychological safety and the extreme importance of ensuring it in the workplace, but rather than just preach it, this week I got to see it in practice, experiencing it firsthand. Supportive leadership like this showcases that when we embrace our teams setbacks as stepping stones, real growth happens. The value in nurturing an environment where it’s safe to take risks and learn from the outcomes is what every employee deserves, but doesn’t always get. While these situations where something doesn’t go as planned, still suck, undeniably these moments happen and the truth is, at some point I know it will happen again. My hope for anyone who find themselves in a similar position, is that they are met with the same grace I was. Psychological safety at work isn’t optional. Intentional leadership is priceless. Period. #Leadership #GrowthMindset #HumanResources #ImpactfulLeadership #Feedback #psychologicalsafety