Choose Love to Lead

Who’s the most important person for you to lead?
YOU are my friend. You are the most important person to lead, everyone else comes after you.

It’s February, which means we get to be mindful and express love all month (even more than usual) and it’s Black History month so we get to intentionally take the opportunity to learn and understand the black culture.

Everything starts with love…

It seems that we tend to focus on the one day, Valentine’s Day, from a romantic perspective, more than love overall. I am cool with Valentine’s Day, I like sharing special treatment on February 14 with my husband, Clarke, but I prefer to carry the love theme through the month. I mean, single or coupled, we can all feel and show love.
·     Love starts with you- what will you do this month to love yourself? Eat healthy so you’ll feel your best? Work out consistently so that you’ll ensure continued health? Read and learn so that you can work up to your potential? Get enough sleep... Take a couple of minutes and write down three things you’ll do this month to love yourself. (I just wrote mine and I am clear about actions I’ll take, thoughts I’ll hold and people I will be around).
·     Love Your team members- when you choose love to lead, your mindset becomes one of caring and your actions follow. Even if you need to have a conversation to correct someone on a mistake, your words, tonality, and body language will likely demonstrate empathy and your interaction will be more productive and affirming. In other words, you'll practice and lead with love.
·     Love Your family- sometimes those we love the most are the ones we take for granted. Remember to express appreciation to them and engage with them in their love language. Just because they know we love them doesn’t mean we shouldn’t say it and more importantly, show it.
"Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love". Mother Teresa

What's love got to do with Black History Month?

We are all human and will benefit by understanding each other and...loving each other. I am so grateful that the increased awareness of social injustice is making many people more curious and interested in those who don’t look like them. In fact, there are so many months that we highlight underserved communities that have impacted our lives. (Next month is Women's History Month)

Black History month has been recognized since 1976 and became a federal law in 1986. I suspect though, that there are still a lot of unknowns about it and a lack of understanding about why it’s important.
I invite you to, as I said above, intentionally learn to understand the black culture this month. This is another opportunity to choose love to lead, isn't it?

Guess what? I am still learning new things about our culture. Come join me. I’ve provided three links for you, and it’ll probably take you all of five minutes to read them. Then the action starts.
Some ideas for you to activate your curiosity:
·     One of my clients indicated that she’s paying more attention on LinkedIn this month to read articles about black business and people she sees posting. Now, that’s intentional.
·     Read a book by a black author
·     Seek out black businesses that provide services and/or products that you need and deliberately do business with one (or some)
·     Watch TV shows you might not typically watch featuring black people
·     Look at your network and team. If you don’t see black people, it’s time for reflection so you can recognize any bias you may have that’s preventing more diversity.

This is a starter list. Don’t overwhelm yourself because you don’t know where to start. Choose one. Start there.
Here are three links for  you...Facts, inventions by black people and ways to celebrate:

Click here for some interesting facts on Black History month:

Click here for learning about inventions by black people

And

Looking for ways to celebrate Black History Month? Click here


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Other tools and projects that might help you:
The next event I will host on Linked In Live is February 22 and the subject is so appropriate for everyone who needs to give feedback, or receives feedback (so pretty much everyone). The actual title is: Gain essential feedback tools to propel your team.  I invite you to join us by registering below:
Click here

Did you check out the last LinkedIn Live on Imposter Syndrome? If you didn't, it's worth the 30 minutes to grow yourself and share with others.
Here's that link:
Click here

Did you access your free gift, an annual cultural calendar yet? Be sure to get it by clicking on the red button below. The more aware and sensitive we are to each others' cultures, the more likely we are to appreciate each other.


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Make today matter. Let's cross the bridge together to learn.grow.succeed.

Shine on!

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