Episode 17
Breaking In Your Leadership Hat
Summary:
Alexa Beavers shares her personal journey from being a leader to becoming a coach, highlighting the initial discomfort and challenges of stepping into a new role. She emphasizes the value of embracing awkwardness and risk-taking to foster growth and learning. Beavers discusses the importance of trusting the process, asking better questions, and valuing progress over perfection. She encourages leaders to boldly wear their "new hats," fostering a culture of continuous growth and learning, even amidst uncertainty. Join this exploration of leadership transformation and the courage to keep showing up authentically.
Chapters:
0:00
Adjusting to New Experiences Like Wearing a New Hat
0:27
Transitioning From Leadership to Coaching Requires a Mindset Shift
0:58
Overcoming Initial Coaching Challenges Through Listening
1:26
Embracing Discomfort and Trusting the Process
1:49
Embracing Risk and Imperfection in Leadership
2:14
Embracing Discomfort as a Pathway to Leadership Growth
2:41
Courageous Leadership Is About Consistently Showing Up
Host Alexa Beavers: linkedin.com/in/alexabeaverspmp
Executive Producer Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk
Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka
Transcript
But after wearing it for a while, breaking it in, it starts to feel like yours. That's exactly what it's like when leaders step into something new. Trying something different will always feel a little uncomfortable at first, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. When I became a leadership coach, I had spent years being a leader myself.
I was used to giving direction, making decisions, and driving results, but coaching that required a completely different mindset. I had to put on this hat and it felt funky. Instead of leading the conversation, I had to hold space. Instead of offering solutions, I had to help others discover their own. So my hat, it didn't feel quite right at first.
I made all the classic [:That hat started to feel just right, just fit. I changed. I started to trust the process. I learned to ask better questions. I let go of the need to have all the answers, and the moment I saw a leader have a breakthrough because I let them get there, that's when I knew I had stepped into the right role.
people are giving you weird [:They say, I am trying something new and I know it won't be perfect, but I care more about progress than perfection. And when they do that, they invite others into the journey. Creating a culture where learning and growth are celebrated, not avoided. So here's the reality check. You're gonna feel uncomfortable.
You might even have a moment where you feel like a fool, but that's how growth works. No one remembers the leaders who played it safe, but they sure as hell remember the ones who took bold steps even when it felt awkward. So put on the hat, wear it in. Invite feedback, because leadership isn't about looking perfect, it's about having the guts to keep showing up and even when it doesn't feel natural yet.
So here's an invitation. Are you ready to try on your hat?
