Build the Leader Within
Strong foundations are built internally through self-awareness and the habits that guide daily behavior.
Focus on Growth, Not Comparison
“One thing my mom always focused on was me being my best, not being better than others. We didn’t grow up with a lot of means. So she would always say, ‘It's not about you being better than someone else. It's not about you dressing better, or living in a better house, or having better things. It's about you being your best. And every day when you walk out of the house, make sure that your best self is walking out. Make sure that everywhere you are and everything that you do, you are showing up as your best self.’"
“That shaped me both professionally and personally to help me avoid looking at what other people have or other people are doing. What am I doing, am I being my best self every day?”
Anita Martin, Former VP of HR, Houston Texans
Create a Personal Board of Directors
“One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was to create a personal board of directors. I encourage everyone to build a network of trusted individuals with different perspectives and experiences than their own. Look to these individuals to challenge assumptions, give advice and provide honest feedback. I regularly turn to my personal board of directors when I have an important decision to make."
Deon Riley, former CHRO, Bath & Body Works
Take Off the Mask
“Early in my career, a colleague told me to ‘take off the mask’ and ‘stop giving corporate answers.’ I took that advice to heart. By being more authentic and vulnerable, I believe that I have become a more effective, caring leader."
Wendy Carruthers, Former Executive VP of HR, Boston Scientific
Let Go of Outcomes, Focus on the Present
“Always be present, never get caught up in the outcome. Who you know is who you're supposed to know, and where you are in your career is where you're supposed to be. It's rather Zen, but that presence piece is really important.
“Sometimes when you're down a path and you have an outcome you're driving to, you're not present and you're just on this path. So don't get so tied up into something that you miss what's happening right in front of you.”
Amy Cappellanti-Wolf, CPO of Dayforce
Embrace the Discomfort
“There were so many times in my early work years — and even today — that I experience failures and challenges and situations where it’s hard to know the right solution. It's uncomfortable. I was raised in a place where you were expected to know. And so, that discomfort of working through things has been something I've had to really consciously embrace. And 99% of the time, you come out much stronger on the other side from those discomforts.”
Elizabeth Norberg, Chief People Officer, SharkNinja
Stay Grounded in the Now
“We have to meet people right where they are today. It can be easy to get distracted by where people ‘could be’ or where they ‘should be,’ and that can get you distracted from the opportunity you have in front of you. This concept links closely with meditation as well — just being with what is in the moment. Because if you’re paying attention to what’s in the moment, you might see a number of opportunities that you would miss out on if you don’t truly pay attention and listen to what’s going on. I find that investing a bit more time and a bit more energy on being in the moment can make things a lot easier. And it honors where people are in their journey.”
Paulo Pisano, Chief People Officer, Booking.com
Fill Your Cup Before Pouring into Others
“One important piece of advice was when I was told, ‘Do something for yourself every day before you do something for others.’ And you know what? I actually do that now. I make it a practice to pray, meditate, and exercise before 7:00 a.m. every day. It's a game changer.”
Camille Chang Gilmore, VP of HR, Boston Scientific
Protect Your Focus by Compartmentalizing
“I learned many years ago that if I was going to successfully navigate in an executive role in an organization, I needed to learn how to compartmentalize things. The way I do that is almost like an old-fashioned filing cabinet in my head. I open the drawer and put whatever is eating at me in that filing cabinet. And I shut it and I lock it away until I'm ready to open it up and have the capacity to deal with. That’s helped me to navigate tough times and get through things, whether it’s personal, with family, or with business.”
Jim Link, CHRO, SHRM
Set the Example You’d Want to Follow
“The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given was to be the kind of leader that I would want to have, and to work on improving that skill every day.”
Marjorie Powell, CHRO, AARP
Lift Your Head and Straighten Your Shoulders
“It's actually a piece of advice that my mom gave me all my life: ‘Lift your head and straighten your shoulders.’ She was telling me to stay confident, know what's inside of you, know the resources around you, and know that you have everything you need to get the job done and to make the change you need to make. I don't always have all the answers, but certainly I know that the right resources are around me so that we can solve the problems that face us.”
Velisha Haddox, CHRO, Cook County, Ill.
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