Marching Towards Success: Cultivating Leadership Resilience, Strategic Thinking, Interview Mastery, and Beyond...

BeLegendary Monthly Newsletter

In every moment, you have the power to rewrite your story, to redraw the map of your life, and to make your next chapter the most exhilarating one yet. 

Today, I invite you to engage with this newsletter, not as a set of words but as a tool of self-empowerment. 

Let's start this journey together and make this month remarkable!

Leadership Lift-Off: The Power of Resilience in Leadership

In the symphony of life, resilience acts as our rhythm, allowing us to dance through challenges with grace and emerge stronger. 

It's not just a trait; it's a skill—a muscle that we can build and strengthen over time. 

To help you cultivate resilience and integrate it into your daily life and your leadership style, we've outlined actionable steps and one transformative practice. 

Embrace these steps and watch as you not only lead with greater impact but also inspire those around you to rise above obstacles with confidence and positivity.

Actionable Steps to Foster Resilience:

• Embrace a Growth Mindset: Start believing in the power of yet. You may not be there yet, but you are on your way. Challenges then become not dead-ends but paths to learning and growth. This shift in mindset empowers you to persevere when faced with obstacles.
• Build Your Support Network: Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you. This could be mentors, peers, or a professional network. They can offer advice, encouragement, and a different perspective that can help you navigate through tough times.
• Set Small, Achievable Goals: Break down your larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks. Achieving these can give you a sense of accomplishment and a boost in confidence, reinforcing your ability to overcome challenges.
• Practice Self-Care: Strength does not come from constant exertion but also from rest and rejuvenation. Make time for activities that relax and replenish your energy. A resilient leader knows the importance of their well-being for sustained performance.
• Learn from Setbacks: Every setback is a setup for a comeback. Reflect on what didn’t work and why. Use these insights to adapt and adjust your strategies. This iterative process is key to building resilience and achieving success.

A Transformative Practice: Reflection

Daily Journaling: Dedicate a few minutes at the end of each day to reflect on and write down:

• One challenge you faced today and how you dealt with it.
• One thing you learned about yourself from this challenge.
• One small win, no matter how insignificant it might seem.
• One act of kindness or support you offered or received.

This practice serves a dual purpose—it not only encourages you to recognize and celebrate your daily achievements and acts of resilience but also builds a repository of positive reflections that you can look back on in tougher times. It’s a powerful reminder of your strength, growth, and the supportive community around you.

Remember, resilience in leadership is not about never facing difficulties; it's about navigating through them with grace, learning, and emerging stronger on the other side. By integrating these steps and the resilience reflection practice into your life, you are not just building resilience; you're setting the foundation for a thriving, impactful leadership journey.

Grow Your Skills: Embrace Strategic Thinking

Imagine navigating your career and life with a compass that always points you in the direction of your dreams and aspirations. This is the power of strategic thinking. It's not just a skill for boardrooms or business giants; it’s your secret weapon in carving out a path that leads to joy, fulfilment, and success on your own terms.

Strategic thinking allows you to zoom out, see the bigger picture, and connect the dots in a way that aligns with your ultimate goals. It empowers you to make decisions today that will pave the way for your future triumphs.

Let’s embark on this journey to sharpen your strategic thinking skills with an actionable exercise. This isn’t just about thinking; it’s about doing, and it's simpler than you think.

Actionable Exercise: The Future Letter

Grab a piece of paper and your favourite pen, and let’s time travel together. 

Imagine it’s three years from now. You’re living your absolute dream life, both professionally and personally. You have achieved that promotion nailed those career transitions, found joy and purpose in your work, and struck that coveted harmony between your work and personal life.

• Step 1: Reflect - Think about what your life looks like. Where are you? Who are you with? What accomplishments are you most proud of? How do you spend your days? Let your imagination roam free and vividly picture your ideal future.
• Step 2: Write - Now, in a letter addressed to yourself, articulate everything you envisaged. Describe your successes, the challenges you've overcome, and how you've grown. Be as detailed and as vivid as possible. This is your future, written by the most reliable source – you.
• Step 3: Plan Backwards - Once your letter is complete, think about the steps you took to get there. This is where strategic thinking sparkles. Break down your journey into actionable steps you can start taking today, in a year, and in two years. What skills did you learn? What risks did you take? Who did you seek out for guidance or partnership?
• Step 4: Act - Now that you have a roadmap, choose one action you can take this week. It could be as simple as updating your CV, enrolling in a course, or reaching out to a mentor. The key is to start small but start now. Each step will bring you closer to the future you’ve envisioned for yourself.

The power of the Future Letter lies in its ability to make your dreams tangible, giving you a glimpse of what’s possible. It turns your aspirations into actionable insights, nudging you towards strategic decisions that align with your end goals.

Remember, strategic thinking isn’t about having all the answers upfront; it’s about guiding yourself with purpose and clarity towards the life you deserve.

Book: "Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts" by Annie Duke

Annie Duke isn't just an author—she's a former professional poker player who reached the pinnacle of poker glory by becoming a World Series Poker Champion. She explores decisions and strategic thinking through the lens of bets, drawing striking parallels between the poker table and real-world scenarios, including complex professional situations and even personal life.

The beauty of "Thinking in Bets" lies not just in its unconventional perspective but also in its powerful application. Duke’s strategies drive you to make the most effective decisions with the limited information at your disposal, striving for success in the face of life's inherent uncertainties. It's all centered around embracing the idea that every decision is a bet that encapsulates a possible reward or an opportunity for growth.

Trailblazer Talks: Are You Playing it Small?

Check out this exclusive BeLegendary Fireside Chat featuring Shelley Audette Settles, an extraordinary individual with a remarkable journey!

Shelley isn't just an author; she's a licensed and ordained motorcycle-riding grandma who has traversed the US and Central America on her V-Strom 650. Her adventures include teaching English to children in Honduras and sharing Bible lessons in Russia. However, her path to fulfilment wasn't without obstacles. Facing bankruptcy after a business deal went awry, Shelley battled depression and a sense of hopelessness before realizing that true transformation begins from within.

Driven by a desire for change, Shelley immersed herself in understanding Universal Laws and aligning with them, leading to a profound personal evolution. Today, she mentors women over 45 who have been conditioned to shrink themselves, empowering them to rewrite their life narratives and embrace purpose-driven, resilient, and triumphant lives.

In this captivating conversation, Shelley delves into her own journey, the adversities she has overcome, and the invaluable lessons she has gleaned along the way, offering inspiration and insight to all who seek to transform their lives.

Watch it here.

Spotlight: Indra Nooyi

Today, let's shine a light on a woman whose story resonates with empowerment, resilience, and triumphant joy: Indra Nooyi. As the former CEO of PepsiCo and one of the most powerful women in the world of business, Indra’s journey from Chennai, India, to leading a global giant in the food and beverage industry is nothing short of remarkable.

Indra Nooyi’s story is one of courage, resilience, and an unyielding commitment to her dreams. Growing up in a society with predefined notions of what women can and cannot do, Indra dared to imagine a world without limits. Her path wasn’t paved with ease; it was built on countless challenges, learning curves, and the sheer tenacity to push through barriers.

My Key Lessons from Indra Nooyi's Journey:

• Believe in Your Dreams: From her early days, Indra held onto her belief in what she could achieve. Even when faced with scepticism, she didn't let go of her convictions. 
• Embrace Learning: Indra’s journey teaches us the value of continuous learning. She was not afraid to step into unknown territories, from studying at Yale to navigating the complex corporate world. Each step was a learning opportunity, shaping her into a leader. 
• Persistence Pays Off: Indra faced her share of rejections and setbacks. Yet, she persisted. She didn’t see setbacks as failures but as lessons and stepping stones. Similarly, embrace resilience. Every 'no' is one step closer to a 'yes.'
• Work-Life Harmony: Indra's perspective on achieving work-life ‘balance’ is refreshingly honest. She talked about the challenges and compromises, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing based on what's most important at different stages of life. It's a gentle reminder that it’s okay if everything isn't perfectly balanced all the time. Seek harmony, not perfection.
• Leave a Legacy: Indra Nooyi believed in leaving an imprint not just on PepsiCo but on the world. Under her leadership, PepsiCo embarked on a journey towards health-focused products and sustainability. Make it your mission to leave your mark, to improve and inspire the spaces and lives you touch.

Indra Nooyi’s story is a testament to what women can achieve with determination, courage, and belief in their potential. Let her journey inspire you to reach for your dreams, break barriers, and achieve your own version of success and fulfilment.

Check out Indra Nooyi's short interview here.

Nurture Your Mind: Essential Events/Podcasts/Articles

"Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself" - Dr. Joe Dispenza

A truly transformational podcast that discusses how you can rewire your thoughts, break free from self-limiting beliefs and step into a new version of yourself.

Listen Here

"5 Career Goals Every Manager Needs To Set For 2024" - Forbes

This enlightening write-up proposes a fresh perspective for managers to greet the upcoming year by setting meaningful career goals. The proposed goals aim at bolstering effectiveness as a manager and improving overall career prospects.

Read the article here.

Ask Your Coach: How to feel confident during an interview?

 A successful job interview requires preparation, practice, and self-awareness. 

These tips and strategies will guide you in making a lasting impression on your potential employer.

✔️Research the Company: Invest time in researching the company, its culture, and its values. Gather information from sources such as their website, social media profiles, and any media coverage.

✔️Understand the Job Description: Analyze the job description thoroughly. Identify how your skills, experiences, and personal qualities align with the requirements and responsibilities of the role.

✔️Develop a Personal Brand: Your personal brand is the unique combination of your skills, experiences, and personality traits. Highlight these aspects during the interview to showcase your value as a candidate.

✔️Prepare for Common Interview Questions: Practice answering common interview questions and create customized responses that reflect your experiences, skills, and personal brand. Be prepared to share concrete examples and outcomes from your past experiences. Use the STARL method. See tip below.

✔️Dress Appropriately: Dressing professionally not only sets the right tone, but also boosts your confidence. Choose attire that reflects the company culture and the role you are seeking.

✔️Showcase Your Communication Skills: Communicate clearly and confidently during the interview. Maintain eye contact, use positive body language, listen actively, and adapt your communication style to align with the interviewer.

✔️Ask Insightful Questions: Show your interest in the position and the company by asking well-researched questions. This allows you to gain valuable insights and engage in a meaningful conversation with the interviewer.

✔️Send a Thank-You Note: Within 24 hours after the interview, send a brief, personalized thank-you note expressing your gratitude for the opportunity and reiterating your interest in the position.

 Approach each interview as a chance to demonstrate your value and grow professionally. 

 Remain focused on your end goal: conquering your dream career and building the life you've always envisioned.

Tip: STARL METHOD

🎯Cracking job interviews isn’t rocket science—it's an art, and it can be mastered with the help of a technique called STARL⭐ STARL — Situation, Task, Action, Results, and Learning.

It's a subtle twist to the popular STAR method, with the addition of 'Learning'.

🔵 Situation: Define the context of the story

🔵 Task: What was your responsibility?

🔵 Action: Strategies and steps you took to tackle it

🔵 Result: The outcomes of your action

🔵 Learning: Here's our special twist — What did you learn from the experience?

With STARL, not only do you state facts and scenarios, but you also strategically highlight what you've learned — showing your capacity for growth and continuous learning.

Resources: Unshakeable Confidence in 5 steps

Are you seeking to build your confidence? 📚 In this valuable resource, you'll discover practical tips and strategies. Download it here.

As we turn the final chapter of this issue, a new month beckons—a fresh canvas upon which you'll continue to create, lead, and flourish. 

Until our next issue, we wish you a March filled with purpose, progress, and the kind of joy that comes from a career that doesn't just challenge you but also cheers for you. 

Here's to a month of persistence, grace, and milestones that will serve as beacons of your talent and drive.

 See you next month.

To your success,

Carla

Your Leadership & Career Coach

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If you want to move to the next level in your career and need personalised guidance and support, don't hesitate to book a consultation call with me. Together, we can work through your challenges and opportunities and develop a plan that works for you.

Book a Career Consultation call here.