As the executive continued her speech, the audience leaned in, captivated by her vulnerability and eagerly anticipating her insights. Be sure to read Part 1 to understand the makeup and background leading up to Part 2. She shared three key lessons that had transformed her leadership style and personal well-being.

1.     Creating Space in Moments of Extreme Stress

"I pride myself on always being available," she admitted. "I realized with my kids all grown up and out of the house and my husband retired I could make myself available. I gave my number to “another executive” for moments of extreme stress. I figured it was better for them to reach out to me rather than hold onto the anxiety longer than they needed to. Sure enough, I recent a call. This situation warranted freaking out, but good would that do? How would freaking out solve the problem? It wouldn’t. I waited until the following business morning and informed the team of the situation. With all heads combined, the situation was fixed. I was truly present for those who needed me most by recognizing the space needed for others to release."

She described implementing a new approach: when faced with high-stress situations, she now takes a deliberate pause. This might mean a five-minute breathing exercise or a short walk around the office. By creating this space, she was able to show up fully present and calm for her team when they needed guidance the most.

2.     Changing the First Morning Ritual

With a smile, she confessed, "I used to start my day by immediately checking emails. It set a tone of responsiveness for the entire day." Her game-changing shift? Starting each morning with a simple cup of tea. "No phone, no laptop - just me and my thoughts for 15 minutes," she said. This small act of mindfulness, she found, helped her approach the day with clarity and intention rather than immediately reacting to others' agendas.

3.     Transforming Employee Interactions

"I had a habit of jumping straight into questions and tasks when interacting with my team," she revealed. "I realized I was missing a crucial element of human connection." Her solution was beautifully simple: she started every interaction with a genuine "Good morning, how are you?" and waited for an honest answer. "This small change," she noted, "has dramatically improved our team's trust and openness. Sometimes it’s the simple things that change the morale in the office."

As she concluded her speech, there was a palpable shift in the room. Attendees weren't just listening to another presentation; they were reflecting on their own habits and considering how these lessons could apply to their lives.

The executive's willingness to share these personal insights did not diminish her authority - instead, it elevated her as a leader who understood the human element of success. Her speech reminded us all that true leadership is not about appearing infallible but about continuous growth and genuine connection.

In our following newsletter, we'll explore how you can implement these lessons in your own leadership journey, regardless of your position. Stay tuned for practical tips and exercises to enhance your leadership effectiveness and personal well-being.