Shailesh A Kantak’s Post

The number one leadership skill I learned FAR too late (don’t be like me) is how to give feedback that inspires action. For years, I thought I was “good at feedback.” I’d tell people what they needed to do better, be clear about my expectations, and assume that was enough. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. What I learned - often the hard way - is that feedback isn’t just about delivering information. It’s about creating a moment that motivates, engages, and empowers someone to grow. Developmental feedback delivered well is a gift! 💡 Here’s what I now know about feedback that works: 👉 Be specific: Vague feedback like “great job” or “you need to improve” doesn’t help anyone. Highlight what worked or what could be better and why. 👉 Balance candour with care: Radical honesty works best when it’s paired with genuine support. People need to know you’re on their side. 👉 Focus on the future: Feedback isn’t just about pointing out what went wrong. It’s about paving a clear path forward. When you give feedback like this, you’re not just a leader - you’re a coach, a mentor, and a catalyst for growth. 🌟 If I could go back, I’d start practising this sooner. But here’s the good news: it’s never too late to start. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned about giving or receiving feedback? Let me know in the comments! 👇 #Leadership #Feedback #PersonalGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #Coaching --- Hi! I'm Sarah! 👋 I'm passionate about cultivating leadership skills to create strong, resilient teams. 🔔 Ring the bell on my profile for leadership tips 🔝 Connect with me or ➡️ follow me @ Sarah Piddington for more on leadership growth ✍️

Leadership Challenge: Confidence How can you inspire others if you don’t fully believe in yourself? Confidence is the foundation of great leadership—it drives decision-making, inspires teams, and fosters trust. Confidence as a leader is key to… 👁️Stronger leadership presence 🌲Increased resilience 🚀Expanded opportunities This week, I’m inviting you to take on the Confidence Leadership Challenge, where we’ll focus on strengthening your self-belief and showing up with purpose and authenticity. Confidence is a foundational quality of effective leadership, enabling leaders to inspire trust, make decisions, and navigate challenges. Some important elements that stand out to me include: 💭Decisiveness: Making timely, informed decisions even under uncertainty. 🗺️Preparation: Anticipate challenges and developing strategies through preparation and planning.  ⚖️Balanced humility: Balancing confidence with humility to build trust and avoid arrogance. Other components of confidence in leadership include, self-awareness, competence, communication, resilience, authenticity, empowerment, adaptability, optimism, empathy, continuous learning, vision, consistency, and courage. Challenge Instructions: Here’s how you can participate: 🌟 Own Your Strengths: Start by identifying three qualities or skills that make you a strong leader. Write them down and remind yourself of these daily. 🎯 Take on a Bold Step: Commit to one action this week that pushes you slightly outside your comfort zone—whether it’s speaking up in a meeting, presenting a new idea, or advocating for your team. 🤝 Empower Confidence in Others: Encourage someone on your team to embrace their own strengths and take a confident step forward. Confidence is contagious! Are you ready to lead with greater confidence❓ Capturing the Learning: Throughout the week, share your learning and insights in the 💬 comments 👇 below, inspiring others to practice confidence in their leadership journey. You might consider sharing: ➡ Experiences ➡ Insights ➡ Inspirations Confidence isn’t about being perfect—it’s about trusting your ability to learn, adapt, and lead effectively. By building this quality, you not only grow as a leader but also inspire others to do the same. #ConfidenceLeadershipChallenge #LeadWithBoldness #EmpoweredLeadership #LeadershipGrowth #LinkedInChallenge #Coaching #LeadershipCoaching ➕ Follow me for more challenges ♻️ Repost this challenge to your network 🔗Connect to dive deeper

Top 10 Leadership Insights from "Dare to Lead" As a leader who's always seeking to improve, I recently re-read Brene Brown's 2018 best seller "Dare to Lead." While I encourage every leader to read the full book, I'd like to share my personal takeaways and how they've influenced my leadership approach: 1. Vulnerability is Strength Contrary to popular belief, embracing vulnerability can be a powerful leadership tool. It fosters trust and authentic connections within teams. 2. Courage is Learnable Leadership courage isn't innate - it's a skill we can develop through practice, determination and mindfulness. 3. Values are the Foundation Clearly defined and lived values are crucial for effective leadership. They guide decision-making and shape organisational culture. 4. Shame and Empathy Understanding the role of shame in workplace dynamics and cultivating empathy can transform team interactions and productivity. 5. Curiosity over Certainty Approaching challenges with curiosity rather than assumed certainty leads to more innovative solutions and a culture of continuous learning. 6. Clear is Kind Being clear in our communication, even when it's difficult, is ultimately kinder than being vague to avoid discomfort. 7. Rumbling with Vulnerability Leaning into difficult conversations and situations, while acknowledging our vulnerability, leads to better outcomes and stronger relationships. 8. Emotional Literacy Matters Developing our ability to recognise and articulate emotions - in ourselves and others - is key to effective leadership. 9. Trust is Built in Small Moments Trust isn't established through grand gestures, but through consistent, small acts of reliability and integrity. 10. Resilience Through Rising Strong Learning from failures and setbacks, and teaching our teams to do the same, builds organisational resilience. These insights have profoundly impacted how I lead. I've found that embracing vulnerability and fostering a culture of courage has led to more innovation, stronger team bonds, and ultimately better results. I encourage fellow leaders to reflect on these concepts and consider how they might apply in your own leadership journey. Remember, true leadership isn't about having all the answers, but about creating an environment where people feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work. #daretolead #leadership #schoolleadership #teambuilding

🌟 Are You A Self-Leader? SELF-LEADERSHIP = "the practice of intentionally influencing your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours to achieve objectives. How much of that do you have? As I prepare for my upcoming article on Mindful Leadership, I've been struck by the compelling research around self-leadership. Research shows that strong self-leaders create more innovative teams, build deeper trust, and achieve better organisational outcomes. Here are the key competencies that research has identified as essential to self-leadership: 1. Self-Awareness: The foundation of all leadership growth. This involves understanding your own patterns, triggers, and impact on others. 2. Emotional Regulation: The ability to manage your own emotional states and respond thoughtfully rather than reactively. 3. Mindful Presence: The practice of maintaining focused awareness and clear thinking, especially under pressure. 4. Strategic Self-Management: Setting clear intentions and following through with aligned actions – even when it's challenging. 5. Stress Resilience: The capacity to maintain equilibrium and effectiveness during difficult situations. 6. Time and Energy Management: Skillfully directing your resources toward what matters most. The exciting news? Research confirms these capabilities can be TRAINED through consistent practice and the right guidance. For me, it is reassurance that the content of my Empathic Leader course is right in line with the latest research. My field work aligns perfectly with these research results and especially what I see in my most effective clients and those who work the hardest to master themselves, their emotions, their communication, their actions. These leaders are committed to learning to lead themselves first, creating ripple effects of positive change throughout their organisations. Come explore how to develop these capabilities with me Join me for a free masterclass on "Empathic Listening Skills for Leaders" on January 23rd. We'll explore practical techniques for enhancing your leadership presence and impact. (follow the taster button) https://lnkd.in/d-am-QkG What's your experience with self-leadership? What competencies would you add to this list? Share your thoughts in the comments. #SelfLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #EmpathicLeader #MindfulLeadership #ConsciousLeadership

The Art of Humble Inquiry: A Game-Changer for People Managers   What if not knowing was your biggest strength as a leader? That’s the premise of Humble Inquiry by Edgar Schein, a must-read for anyone in leadership or coaching roles. Schein’s idea is simple yet powerful: leaders who embrace natural curiosity and ask genuine questions—without hidden agendas—build stronger relationships and better teams.   As a people manager, here’s what struck me most: 👉 It’s not about being the smartest in the room. It’s about creating space for others to bring their best. Asking questions instead of giving directives fosters trust and collaboration. 👉 Curiosity isn’t weakness; it’s strength. When you approach your team with genuine interest and without judgment, you open the door to solutions you couldn’t have imagined alone. 👉 Respect is the foundation. Humble Inquiry thrives on mutual respect. It’s not just what you ask but how you ask that shapes the outcome. In coaching and leadership, these principles are game-changing. Instead of defaulting to “fix-it” mode, try leaning into curiosity: ❓ What’s your perspective on this challenge? ❓ How can I support you in achieving this? (or simply, what support do you think you need?) ❓ What do you think we might be missing here?   I’ve seen firsthand how these shifts transform workplace dynamics. Teams feel heard. Collaboration improves. And the pressure to “have all the answers” fades—replaced by shared ownership of success. For me, Humble Inquiry is more than a leadership skill; it’s a mindset shift. One that says: “I value you, your ideas, and your potential.”   To fellow people managers out there: Have you tried leading with curiosity? How has it worked for you? Let’s share and grow together.   #Leadership #Coaching #PeopleManagement #HumbleInquiry #CuriosityAndRespect see less

Leadership Challenge: Role Modelling Leadership isn’t just about words—it’s about actions. When you embody the values, behaviors, and standards you want your team to embrace, you set a powerful example that inspires and motivates others. Role Modelling as a leader is key to… 🌟Enhanced reputation 🤲Stronger engagement 💖Personal fulfillment This week, I invite you to take on the Role Modelling Leadership Challenge and lead with authenticity and intention. Role modeling as a leader involves demonstrating behaviors, values, and attitudes that inspire and guide others. Some important elements that stand out to me include: 🔁Consistency: Aligning your words with your actions to reinforce trust. 🚧Balance and Boundaries: Showing that prioritizing personal well-being is essential for long-term success. 🙇Humility: Recognize that leadership is about serving others, not self-promotion. Other components of role modelling in leadership include, integrity, accountability, empathy, self-awareness, work ethic, respect, adaptability, communication, empowerment, vision and purpose, optimism, and courage. Here’s how you can participate: 🤝 Choose a Core Value: Identify one value or principle that’s central to your leadership (e.g., accountability, respect, or resilience). Focus on living it visibly this week. 🌟 Show Up Consistently: Be mindful of how your actions align with your words. Are you practicing what you preach? 🗣️ Invite Feedback: Ask your team for honest insights—do they see you as a role model for the values you aspire to uphold? Are you ready to be the leader your team looks up to❓ Capturing the Learning: Throughout the week, share your learning and insights in the 💬 comments 👇 below, inspiring others to practice role modelling in their leadership journey. You might consider sharing: ➡ Experiences ➡ Insights ➡ Inspirations Being a role model means embracing accountability and leading with integrity. It’s not about perfection—it’s about consistently striving to inspire and uplift through your actions. #RoleModellingLeadershipChallenge #LeadByExample #AuthenticLeadership #LeadershipGrowth #LeadershipJourney #Coaching #LeadershipCoaching ➕ Follow me for more challenges ♻️ Repost this challenge to your network 🔗Connect to dive deeper

Holistic Leadership - The Catalyst for Unleashing Innovation Holistic Leadership goes beyond traditional management, fostering an environment where creativity and innovation thrive. By valuing experimentation and collaboration, Holistic Leaders cultivate a culture ripe for breakthroughs. They understand that diverse perspectives fuel innovation, encouraging a blend of ideas from all corners of the organization. Creating a safe space for trial and error, these leaders champion the notion that failure isn't a setback but a stepping stone to success. This approach not only accelerates innovation but also builds a resilient, adaptable team ready to face the challenges of tomorrow. Holistic Leadership means nurturing a learning culture where continuous improvement is the norm. It's about leading with empathy, understanding that the well-being of the team is integral to achieving groundbreaking results. 1) How can you create a culture that celebrates experimentation and learning from failure in your organization? 2) In what ways can you leverage diverse perspectives to fuel innovation? 3) How can Holistic Leadership practices be implemented to enhance creativity and drive forward-thinking in your team? Exponential Spiritual Coaching: I Help Celebrities, Executives and High Achievers Find a Deeper Connection With Life Through Mind, Body, Soul and Heart Alignment. Through Remote and Online Exponential Spiritual Coaching, we will find out “WHO” you really are behind your Title, Achievements and Successes. "The Next Chapter" of your life can begin the moment you discover your True Purpose or Re-Connect with your Inner-Self that you might have lost the connection with on your Journey Through Life and on The Way To The Top. If this resonates with you, you're welcome to either DM me or email: immerse@geoslam.coach All Inquiries are handled Confidentially and Discretely. Yours Faithfully / Geo Slam Follow: #GeoSlamSpiritualCoaching AND visit the Website: https://lnkd.in/ea2zgYKX To Explore The Infinite Depths of Spirituality on your Journey of Self-Discovery and Path of Inner Awakening and Progressive Transformation. #Leadership  #HolisticLeadership #ConsciousLeadership #ValuesBasedLeadership #MindfulLeadership  #LeadershipMindset  #EmotionalIntelligence #PositivePsychology  #Mindfulness #CEOs

"🌟Elevate Your Leadership Journey: Unleash Your Inner Potential!🚀" "The Soul of Leadership" by Deepak Chopra explores leadership from a holistic perspective, emphasizing the importance of personal growth, self-awareness, and authenticity in effective leadership. A Few Practical Tips and Exercises: 1. Self-Reflection: Take time for self-reflection to explore your values, strengths, and areas for growth. Journaling, meditation, or mindfulness practices can help deepen self-awareness. 2. Clarify Your Vision: Define your personal or organizational vision, outlining your long-term goals and aspirations. Write down your vision statement and revisit it regularly to stay aligned with your purpose. 3. Empower Others: Delegate tasks and responsibilities to team members, allowing them to take ownership and develop their skills. Provide support and guidance as needed, but trust them to make decisions and take initiative. 4. Lead with Integrity: Act with honesty, integrity, and transparency in all your interactions. Make ethical decisions that align with your values, even when faced with difficult choices. 5. Encourage Creativity: Create a culture that fosters creativity and innovation by encouraging brainstorming sessions, idea sharing, and experimentation. Recognize and reward creative thinking within your team. 6. Embrace Courage: Identify areas where you tend to play it safe or avoid risks, and challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone. Take calculated risks and embrace failure as an opportunity for growth. 7. Cultivate Wisdom: Engage in practices that cultivate wisdom, such as reading, seeking mentorship, or attending leadership workshops. Reflect on past experiences and lessons learned to inform your decision-making. By integrating these principles into your leadership approach and practicing the suggested exercises, you can cultivate a deeper sense of purpose, authenticity, and effectiveness as a leader. 🔵We Provide Workshops, Trainings & E-Learns inspired by this book🔵 #LeadershipJourney #UnlockYourPotential #LeadershipSkills #EmpowerOthers #InspireChange #LeadWithIntegrity #InnovateAndCreate #CourageousLeadership #WisdomInAction #BreakingBarriersTraining

Can Great Leadership Be a Coincidence? I had a coaching conversation with a senior leader a few weeks ago. During our conversation, they expressed their dissatisfaction with the recent feedback they received from their team. I got curious and asked what they got as feedback, and they responded that it was good. I got more interested and asked them why they were dissatisfied with the feedback. It was because they were still trying to understand why the team gave them great feedback and are now frustrated that they must somehow remember how to reproduce the same to get similar feedback the following year! They also believe that this feedback is just a fluke. This is an interesting topic to explore. Great leadership is never a coincidence that happens by chance or luck. It is intentional behavior, role-modeled, irrespective of the circumstances, with all people involved. In my client's case, they needed to realize how they were supporting their team, helping others succeed, setting a powerful vision, and consistently taking care of the challenges, which got them accolades. Great leadership is never ONE BIG thing. It's being consistent on all relevant things to their team. One way to get closer to your team's feedback is to ask for it regularly and proactively. I got regular feedback/feedforward every quarter. It helped me understand what/how to change my style/behavior to support my team more effectively. I often asked for their advice, which was helpful so I could figure things out with others. My team appreciated that and was open and generous in advising me on the opportunities that I wanted to work on for myself. A mere coincidence can never lead to sustainable great leadership because it requires consistent behaviors and role modeling. Do you believe great leadership can be a one-and-done thing? I would love to hear some perspectives. #leadership #leadershipbehaviors #leadershipdevelopment #PLDS #PradeepaLeadershipDevelopmentSchool #CoachingInsights #feedback #feedforward 

Myth busted: research shows that there is “best” leadership style! That type is self-aware leadership. The true power in leadership comes from knowing who you are, how you show up, and the impact you have on others. Self-awareness isn’t a one-time exercise—it’s a muscle. And the most effective leaders I see are the ones who’ve built this muscle over time. --> How can you start building self-awareness? 1️⃣ Identify your strengths. We often focus on “opportunities” or areas to improve, but it’s our strengths that fill our sails and drive us forward. When we lean into our strengths, we’re more energized, engaged, and impactful. 2️⃣ Seek feedback. Sometimes others see what we can’t- our blind spots. Honest feedback—especially from trusted colleagues and mentors—can reveal how we’re perceived and help us adjust where necessary. 3️⃣ Be present and reflective. Self-awareness means tuning into both your internal state and the external environment, adjusting your approach as needed. Practicing mindfulness, or taking a few minutes each day to reflect, can help keep you in tune with how you’re showing up. 4️⃣ Use third party assessment tools. As I continue my journey with the Everything DiSC certification and become an authorized provider for Wiley, I’m reminded daily of the power that tools like DiSC bring to developing self-awareness. DiSC helps leaders understand their unique style and the impact it has, setting them up for growth, connection, and stronger results. If you’re ready to tap into the potential of self-awareness for yourself or your team, reach out—I’d love to connect and share more about how we can build your leadership from the inside out. #Leadership #SelfAwareness #Strengths #EverythingDiSC #ExecutiveCoaching #GrowthMindset