Carolyn's Leadership Journey

Leo

Welcome everyone to today's podcast! I’m Leo, and I’m super excited to have Carolyn with us. Today, we’re going to explore her leadership journey and the valuable lessons she’s learned along the way. It’s all about understanding the dynamics of leadership, promoting a positive work culture, and maintaining that ever-important work-life balance. So, let’s dive right in! Carolyn, it’s great to have you here. Can you share a bit about what sparked your interest in leadership and how your journey began?

Carolyn

Thanks for having me, Leo! I’m really excited to be here. My leadership journey really kicked off when I joined the Manager’s Development Program. At that time, I set a couple of key goals for myself: one was to improve my influencing skills, and the other was to dedicate time to promote not just my work, but also the incredible work my team was doing. It was a bit of a challenge at first, but I learned a lot about myself and what effective leadership looks like.

Leo

That’s such a strong start! Reflection is definitely important. I find it interesting that you set aside Friday mornings for that. It’s amazing how easy it can be to let those good intentions slip away, isn’t it? How did you manage to keep that reflection practice alive, or did you find it hard to stick to?

Carolyn

Absolutely, it was hard to keep that commitment at times. I actually forgot about it for a while! But revisiting my initial goals really reignited that desire to reflect. I realized how effective it can be to just take a moment and think about how I can better support my team and our projects. So, I’m planning to make reflection a regular part of my routine starting this week. It’s like hitting the refresh button on my leadership approach!

Leo

That’s a great approach! It sounds like you’ve really thought about what you want out of your career too. I’m curious, you mentioned that you were hesitant about moving beyond the manager level because of the challenges directors face. That work-life balance is so crucial. What are your thoughts on finding a way to maintain that balance while still taking on more responsibilities?

Carolyn

It’s definitely a delicate balance! I’ve seen so many directors overwhelmed and always working overtime, which really made me rethink my career aspirations. I love the idea of being challenged and having fun in my work, but I also value my personal time and well-being. It's a constant juggling act, and I think it’s possible to be a director who prioritizes both high performance and a healthy work-life balance. I’m starting to wonder if that can be a model for others too!

Leo

That sounds so inspiring! It’s refreshing to hear you talk about a human-centered approach to management. I can see how your experience with the DISC profiles helped you understand both yourself and your team better. How has that understanding influenced your leadership style?

Carolyn

Using the DISC profiles has been a game changer for me. It really helped me understand the different personalities on my team and how to communicate better with each of them. I found that when I tailored my approach to suit their needs, it fostered a more cohesive team dynamic. I’m passionate about developing my team members and helping them grow, and seeing some of them take on leadership roles themselves has been incredibly rewarding. It’s nice to know my human-centered approach inspired them!

Leo

That’s fantastic! The impact of a good leader is incredibly far-reaching. You mentioned earlier how feedback from your colleagues highlighted the calm you brought to your team. It’s interesting how that can create a positive atmosphere. What do you think contributes to that sense of calm, and how do you foster it in your team?

Carolyn

I think a lot of it comes down to how I communicate and the environment I try to create. I aim to be approachable and open, encouraging my team members to share their ideas and concerns. When they feel heard and supported, it naturally leads to a calmer atmosphere. I believe that a calm team can focus better and perform at a higher level, so it's something I consciously work on.

Leo

That’s a great philosophy, Carolyn. As you continue on this journey, it sounds like expanding your network is also a goal of yours. Having a mentor can make such a difference. Can you share a bit about how that mentorship is shaping your leadership development?

Carolyn

Absolutely! My mentor has been instrumental in helping me navigate my career choices and challenge me to think differently about my goals. I’m really focusing on how to advocate for a learning culture within my organization, and having someone with experience to bounce ideas off of is invaluable. It’s all about growing my network and learning from others’ experiences, so I’m excited about where this will take me!

Leo

It sounds like you're making some incredible strides! As you think about the future, you’ve mentioned the possibility of becoming a director who embodies a healthy work-life balance. That’s such a powerful vision. What would you like to achieve if you find yourself in that role?

Carolyn

I’d love to be the kind of director who not only drives performance but also prioritizes the wellness of my team. If I can create an environment where people feel valued, motivated, and balanced, I believe we can achieve amazing results together. It’s all about redefining what success looks like in leadership, and I’m eager to explore that path further with my mentor.