1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,680 Hey there everybody. Welcome to the first episode of Lead for Life, 2 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:05,720 where we explore leadership beyond the boardroom. 3 00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:06,840 In these episodes, 4 00:00:06,840 --> 00:00:10,200 we're going to explore the ins and outs of leadership in our everyday lives. 5 00:00:10,600 --> 00:00:11,760 I'm your host, Tim Jolly. 6 00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:15,080 And today we're going to be diving into some challenging misconceptions. 7 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:19,360 You see, before we start talking and walking through what leadership is and 8 00:00:19,360 --> 00:00:21,480 how it applies to other aspects of our life, 9 00:00:21,640 --> 00:00:24,520 we really need to explore what leadership is not. 10 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:27,920 And we're going to shed some light on some myths that often cloud our 11 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:28,760 misunderstanding. 12 00:00:28,760 --> 00:00:32,600 So grab your favorite beverage, find a cozy spot, and let's get started. 13 00:00:59,680 --> 00:01:02,440 So one of the reasons why we started this podcast was to help people get a 14 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:06,440 better understanding of what leadership is and how it applies to our 15 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:08,480 everyday lives and our relationships. 16 00:01:08,840 --> 00:01:12,200 The problem is there's a lot of misconceptions about leadership and so much 17 00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:16,360 of the information that is put out to get people to be better leaders, 18 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:23,360 they're always geared towards CEOs or upper level management or senior 19 00:01:23,360 --> 00:01:24,840 pastors of mega churches. 20 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:28,280 And the problem is there's so much of that that still applies to our everyday 21 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:29,640 lives for all of us. 22 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:34,080 So we wanted to start out by just debunking some of the misconceptions 23 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:36,160 that we experienced when it comes to leadership. 24 00:01:36,960 --> 00:01:40,760 First off, we need to understand that leadership is not about you. 25 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:44,520 We need to debunk the myth that leadership is all about the leader. 26 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:47,680 It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that leadership revolves 27 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:51,800 around our own achievements, status and ego, but truly we need to 28 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:55,080 understand that leadership is selfless. 29 00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:58,840 It's about serving others, lifting them up and creating an environment 30 00:01:58,840 --> 00:01:59,920 where everyone thrives. 31 00:01:59,920 --> 00:02:04,640 So if you're in it just for a personal gain, it's probably time for a mind 32 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:05,080 shift. 33 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:06,680 What's that look like? 34 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:11,760 Well, at home, instead of seeking personal recognition, empower family 35 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:16,280 members, encourage their growth, celebrate their achievements and create 36 00:02:16,280 --> 00:02:18,000 a supportive environment. 37 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:22,800 And then in the community, volunteer selflessly, serve at local shelters, 38 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:24,600 cleanup parks or mentor youth. 39 00:02:24,920 --> 00:02:30,720 Leadership here is about making a positive impact, not personal glory. 40 00:02:31,440 --> 00:02:34,600 Number two, leadership is not about power. 41 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:40,600 Ah, the allure of authority and control, but leadership isn't a power trip. 42 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:44,120 It's not about wielding influence to dominate or manipulate. 43 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:46,800 Instead, it's about empowering others. 44 00:02:46,800 --> 00:02:49,560 Sharing power and using it responsibly. 45 00:02:49,800 --> 00:02:52,720 Remember the best leaders don't hoard power. 46 00:02:52,920 --> 00:02:55,920 They distribute it like seeds, nurturing growth. 47 00:02:56,280 --> 00:03:00,640 At work, share decision making power with your team, involve them in 48 00:03:00,640 --> 00:03:04,480 project planning, solicit their input and trust their expertise. 49 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:07,520 And then with your friendships, be an equal partner. 50 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:11,880 Avoid dominating conversations or imposing your preferences. 51 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:15,800 True leadership is about collaboration, not just about 52 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:21,320 communication, not control, which is a good transition into number three, 53 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:23,480 control, control freaks. 54 00:03:23,680 --> 00:03:29,360 Listen up, leadership isn't about micromanaging every detail. 55 00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:33,560 It's about setting a vision, providing guidance and then trusting 56 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:35,160 your team to execute. 57 00:03:35,720 --> 00:03:40,960 Let go of the need to control every outcome, embrace flexibility, 58 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:44,600 adaptability and the beauty of collaboration. 59 00:03:44,600 --> 00:03:48,160 Instead of micromanaging your child's homework, set clear 60 00:03:48,160 --> 00:03:50,760 expectations and let them take ownership. 61 00:03:51,160 --> 00:03:53,320 Trust their process. 62 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:58,160 I mean, with organizing events, delegate tasks when planning 63 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:02,360 gatherings, allow others to contribute their ideas and skills. 64 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:04,840 Which brings us to number four. 65 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:08,520 Leadership is not about doing it yourself. 66 00:04:09,320 --> 00:04:12,240 Raise your hand if you've ever thought, if you want something 67 00:04:12,240 --> 00:04:14,680 done right, do it yourself. 68 00:04:14,680 --> 00:04:17,560 Well, leadership isn't a solo act. 69 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:20,880 It's about leveraging the collective genius of your team. 70 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:24,960 Delegate, empower and recognize that you don't have to be the 71 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:27,120 hero in every situation. 72 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:29,960 With household chores, involve everyone. 73 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:33,480 Delegate chores, teach responsibility and appreciate 74 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:36,080 each family member's contribution. 75 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:41,400 With group projects in school or work, collaborate, divide tasks 76 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:47,400 based on strengths, the end result is richer when everyone contributes. 77 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:49,600 Number five. 78 00:04:49,600 --> 00:04:53,440 Leadership is not about doing all the communicating. 79 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:57,080 Communication matters, but leadership isn't about being 80 00:04:57,080 --> 00:04:59,320 the loudest voice in the room. 81 00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:02,880 It's about active listening, asking questions and creating 82 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:05,960 space for others to share their perspective. 83 00:05:05,960 --> 00:05:10,440 Sometimes the most powerful leadership moments happen in the 84 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:12,840 silence between the words. 85 00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:16,920 In family discussions, practice active listening. 86 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:20,040 Let every family member express their thoughts without 87 00:05:20,040 --> 00:05:24,720 interruption and in team meetings as a leader, encourage quieter 88 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:27,080 team members to share their insights. 89 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:30,200 Create a safe space for diverse voices. 90 00:05:31,400 --> 00:05:32,720 Number six. 91 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:37,680 Leadership is not about always feeling confident. 92 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:42,800 Confidence is great, but vulnerability is equally important. 93 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:47,200 Leaders don't have all the answers and that's okay. 94 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:49,200 Admit when you're unsure. 95 00:05:49,200 --> 00:05:52,920 Seek input and learn alongside your team. 96 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:57,680 Authenticity trumps false confidence every day. 97 00:05:57,680 --> 00:06:00,080 Admit when you're uncertain. 98 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:05,960 Seek advice, learn and grow because that vulnerability builds trust. 99 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:10,560 And parents acknowledge that parenting isn't always easy. 100 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:14,360 Seek the support of other parents and learn from them and 101 00:06:14,360 --> 00:06:16,760 their experiences. 102 00:06:16,760 --> 00:06:17,960 Number seven. 103 00:06:17,960 --> 00:06:21,720 Leadership isn't about having all the answers. 104 00:06:21,720 --> 00:06:24,920 Spoiler alert, you're not Google. 105 00:06:24,920 --> 00:06:28,400 Leadership isn't about being an encyclopedia of knowledge. 106 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:32,440 It's about fostering a culture of curiosity, continuous 107 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:34,520 learning and collaboration. 108 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:39,200 Sometimes the best response is, let's figure this out together. 109 00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:43,520 I've always said it's okay to say, I don't know. 110 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:47,280 Always follow that up with, but I'll find out. 111 00:06:47,280 --> 00:06:50,000 Involve family members in decision making. 112 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:52,240 Work it out together. 113 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:56,960 Sometimes just listening empathetically to a friend is more 114 00:06:56,960 --> 00:07:00,360 valuable than providing solutions. 115 00:07:00,360 --> 00:07:05,560 And number eight, leadership is not about demeaning others. 116 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:08,600 Leaders lift, they don't tear down. 117 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:13,080 Demeaning others, belittling their efforts or creating a toxic 118 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:15,600 environment, not leadership. 119 00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:20,200 Instead, celebrate wins, acknowledge growth and build a 120 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:23,440 team that's valued and respected. 121 00:07:23,440 --> 00:07:27,240 In relationships, avoid belittling comments. 122 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:28,800 Celebrate each other. 123 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:32,320 Celebrate the steps that you go through in life, growing and 124 00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:33,840 getting stronger. 125 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:36,080 In community, lift others up. 126 00:07:36,080 --> 00:07:41,120 Encourage, appreciate and build a positive atmosphere. 127 00:07:41,120 --> 00:07:42,680 So there you have it. 128 00:07:42,680 --> 00:07:44,560 What leadership is not. 129 00:07:44,560 --> 00:07:47,160 Now, this is not an all-encompassing list. 130 00:07:47,160 --> 00:07:49,720 I'm sure there's plenty of other things that leadership is 131 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:52,800 not, but these are some of the big things that really kind of 132 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:53,680 stand out. 133 00:07:53,680 --> 00:07:56,960 And as you navigate life, whether at work, home, or in your 134 00:07:56,960 --> 00:08:00,000 community, keep these concepts in mind. 135 00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:04,680 Leadership is about humility, empathy, and making a positive 136 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:05,680 impact. 137 00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:09,840 Together, we can redefine leadership beyond stereotypes. 138 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:14,120 You can be the leader who inspires, empowers, and leaves a 139 00:08:14,120 --> 00:08:16,400 positive legacy. 140 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:19,600 If you enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, and you think 141 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:22,840 others might find it worthwhile as well, please give us a like 142 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:25,120 and share it with your families and friends. 143 00:08:25,120 --> 00:08:26,840 That's how we get the word out. 144 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:29,960 Remember, Lead For Life drops a new episode every other Friday 145 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:30,960 at 8 p.m. 146 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:34,240 So subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss anything. 147 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:37,120 If you have a topic you'd like us to discuss or a question 148 00:08:37,120 --> 00:08:41,680 you'd like to ask, you can email Lead for Life at lead 149 00:08:41,680 --> 00:08:47,000 the number for life 2024 at gmail.com. 150 00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:48,240 That's all one word. 151 00:08:48,240 --> 00:08:53,120 lead4life2024@gmail.com. 152 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:57,680 Also, Lead For Life can be found on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, or 153 00:08:57,680 --> 00:09:00,080 wherever you find your podcasts. 154 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:02,080 Thanks for tuning in to Lead For Life. 155 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:23,400 Until next time, keep leading your life.