I lost my cool today, and I’m not proud of it. I can with 100% certainty share with you, reader, that I do not often lose my cool. And to make matters worse, I did it through email. I feel like I checked every box in leadership failure.
I defined passive aggressiveness and justified it because I was advocating for a student.
I should have taken the time to reflect on why I was so upset. I should have considered the situation from the other person’s perspective. Should have, could have, would have.
Reader, I have come back to this post time and time again, not sure I was ready to continue writing. But like with all imperfections, accidents, failures, etc., I have learned a few lessons:
- Trust the process. Not all problems need to be solved immediately. In fact, the more time you allow for thought and reflection, the less intense the problem becomes. Soon enough, the answer to your struggles will show up.
- Pray. And as the saying goes, pray when it is hardest to pray. The sense of calm you are looking for will come through when you pray.
- You don’t have to solve all of the problems. Lean on your trusted circle and collaborate.
- Ask to meet in person. Talk it out. Model the importance of leaning into challenging conversations and coming through to the other side stronger for it.
- Forgive yourself. You are going to make mistakes. There is no such thing as a perfect leader. In fact, I’d argue that modeling imperfection humanizes you.
Dear reader, I hope this list resonates with you and offers you a guiding light when you are doubting yourself. What matters at the end of the day is the growth we make from our reflection and mistakes. When you place more importance on heart than buzzwords, you are halfway there.
More Heart Less Buzz Words 