Coming Up in October π: Developing Resilience
Plus, finding the right balance between vulnerability and authority
Coming Up Next Month: Building Lasting Resilience
Resilience isnβt just about bouncing back from big challenges. Itβs just as much about dealing with the everyday grind β slow progress, setbacks, and unwelcome situations. How can you, as a leader, cultivate a personal resilience that keeps you motivated through routine stressors? And β equally important β how can you help team members of all personality types develop the grit to keep going? Weβre answering those questions and more next month.
Stay tuned for a new Developing Resilience Challenge coming in October!
And a huge thanks goes to
for the topic suggestion!Earning Respect Challenge Check-In
Did you make it through the complete five-day Earning Respect Challenge? We covered a lot:
Weβve noticed that one of the biggest challenges leaders face when building respect with their teams is finding the right balance between vulnerability and authority. Itβs something that many leaders struggle with β maybe youβre even dealing with it yourself.
The tricky part? Show too much vulnerability, and your credibility could take a hit. Show too little, and you risk seeming unapproachable or disconnected. So whatβs the solution?
Thereβs no one-size-fits-all answer, and it often comes down to trial and error β figuring out what feels right for you and your team, especially if youβre new to leadership. But here are three strategies that might help you navigate this delicate balance and earn your teamβs respect along the way.Β
1. Frame Challenges as OpportunitiesΒ
When sharing challenges with your team, try framing them as opportunities for growth rather than signs of uncertainty. Instead of saying βIβm not sure what to do,β try βHereβs what Iβm learning as I navigate this challenge.β This approach allows you to show vulnerability while also demonstrating your commitment to improving and finding solutions. By doing this, you maintain your authority, encourage a learning mindset within your team, and build mutual respect without undermining your leadership.
2. Admit Mistakes without Losing Credibility
No one expects you to be perfect, and admitting mistakes can actually increase respect from your team. However, you need to be careful not to overdo it. If you frequently admit to missteps without offering a clear path forward, your credibility can suffer. When you admit a mistake, always follow up with an action plan or a solution to demonstrate your commitment to improvement. This approach allows you to remain humble while still showing that youβre in control and capable of leading the team through setbacks.
3. Inspire through Empathy without Sacrificing Decisiveness
Your team likely values leaders who understand and empathize with how decisions impact them personally (especially if you lead Diplomats!). Expressing empathy can help you gain their trust and loyalty. However, itβs important not to let that empathy make you hesitant or indecisive when enforcing tough choices. You can acknowledge how difficult decisions will affect your team while also making it clear why those decisions are necessary. By striking this balance, you maintain both empathy and authority β earning respect without sacrificing your leadership role.
Finding the right mix of vulnerability and authority takes practice, so donβt worry if it feels challenging at first. Every interaction is a chance to learn what works for you and your team. Leadership isnβt about perfection β itβs about showing up authentically and growing along the way.
If youβre feeling a bit lost, remember that youβre not alone β join this monthβs discussion thread to connect with fellow leaders who are navigating the same challenges. π
Your Next Steps
Throughout the rest of this month, weβll keep exploring how you can earn the respect of the remaining personality types weβve yet to cover. Watch for those articles to land in your inbox.Β
Whether youβre focused on earning respect from your team or building up your own self-respect, we hope that this article (and the whole earning respect series) has given you the tools to create stronger connections. Weβre here cheering you on as you continue your leadership journey!
Want to Submit a Leadership Topic?
Have a specific leadership topic in mind that youβd love to see us cover? Weβve opened up commenting, so that anyone can share their idea(s) in the comments. We canβt promise to pick yours, but we do promise to review and consider every single idea.