No doubt you’ve seen the video of Andi Owen’s so-called motivational speech to employees of MillerKnoll. On the one hand, they’re supposed to control what they can control. But, on the other hand, they need to get out of Pity City and deliver $26 million, stat!
You may be thinking, Well, if that’s what leadership looks like, I’ll pass! However, wait a second before you click away.
Here’s why that clip matters: Everyone fills a leadership role occasionally. For example, you’re the person who knows the most about a marketing campaign and can speak eloquently about its capabilities and shortcomings. Or you organize a fundraising event at your kid’s school. Or you chair a cross-group call.
The key to handling those situations well is to manage your emotions and demonstrate self-awareness, two marketable work skills. That was the gap for Andi Owen. Her rant shows what happens when false positivity meets unprocessed feelings. It took less than 90 seconds for “be kind” to go out the window.
There’s another way: to bring your genuine, even imperfect self to everything you do. Let’s see how one person brought that idea to life.
Jacinda Ardern’s valedictory speech highlighted party accomplishments, but then took a personal turn. She challenged the traditional view that being domineering or aggressive was the preferred way to lead.
She reflected on six years as Prime Minister of New Zealand by saying, “I cannot determine what will define my time in this place. But I do hope I have demonstrated something else entirely. That you can be anxious, sensitive, kind, and wear your heart on your sleeve. You can be a mother (or not), an ex-Mormon (or not), a nerd, a crier, a hugger. You can be all of these things, and not only can you be here—you can lead. Just like me.”
It’s been said that “timing is everything,” but something to learn from the case study is that timing is only one factor in effective leadership. The intention and energy behind your words and actions are equally important. That’s why you might let out a relaxing exhale hearing Jacinda Arden’s comments vs. feeling tense watching Andi Owen huff “Thank you!” to her exhausted, tense workforce.
If you’ve avoided stepping into the first chair position, it’s time to spring clean that outlook, just as you would open the windows and air out a stale, musty basement. It’s possible to bring your whole self and lead in a way that is true to you, not a persona that will crumble under pressure.
With Jacinda Ardern’s speech as inspiration, what qualities feel natural but might challenge the “crush ’em, kill ’em” status quo about what bossing up looks like? How about expanding, improving, and upgrading your leadership skills by expressing soulful traits like:
Soft skills aren’t tricky or complicated—they’re as easy as 1, 2, 3! Here’s a recap of the three everyday competencies we’ve discussed in the April series, Spring Clean Your Soft Skills:
Spring is perfect for fresh starts but release the pressure for an extreme makeover. Take charge like the creative, wise CEO of your life—a Soul Boss—and spring clean your skill set.