Jen’s journey into the world of marketing began in college, but her story takes an unexpected turn. As a young person, she experienced anxiety and depression and felt the stress of navigating a world where mental health wasn’t openly discussed. Her experiences sparked a deep desire to break stigmas around mental health and help others find their own balance between professional success and well-being.
Combining her passion with her experience in high-growth organizations and leadership, Jen found a way to help highly ambitious professionals navigate the challenges of their careers and leadership roles. But what does this mean for you, the reader? How can Jen’s approach improve your well-being and mental health?
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In this episode, you will be able to:
- Discover the essential practices for maintaining mental well-being and work-life balance in high-stress careers.
- Unveil the impact of self-compassion on successful leadership and its power to generate better team outcomes.
- Enhance your effectiveness as a leader by mastering the art of listening and building self-awareness.
- Break free from hindering communication patterns to foster stronger relationships and trust in your team.
- Unlock your full potential by embracing creativity as a powerful tool for growth and success in independent work.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:01:56 – Self Kindness and Mental Health Advocate,
00:07:23 – The Power of Self-Talk,
00:10:59 – Listening as a Leadership Skill,
00:13:26 – Emotional Regulation Tools,
00:14:51 – Overcoming Negativity Bias in Feedback,
00:19:43 – Common Leadership Habits that Limit Effective Communication,
00:22:21 – Passive Listening vs. Active Listening,
00:26:49 – Reactive vs. Creative Leadership,
00:28:06 – Building Relational and Collaborative Leadership Skills,
00:29:38 – Being able to identify and state what you need,
00:30:27 – Composure and balance through self-care,
00:31:54 – Mindset and come-from energy,
00:36:05 – Celebrating small accomplishments
Self Kindness and Mental Health Advocate
In today’s high-pressure world, taking care of our mental health and practicing self-kindness is more critical than ever. As a mental health advocate, it is essential to break down stigmas surrounding these issues and provide support for those struggling. Recognizing the importance of self-compassion and the impact it can have on our lives helps create a healthier mindset and foundation for personal and professional growth.
Promoting self-kindness in the workplace and beyond opens dialogue around mental health and wellness, enabling individuals to connect, empathize, and find solace in shared experiences.
During the podcast, Jen emphasizes the importance of self-kindness as a mental health advocate. Sharing her personal journey helped normalize conversations about mental health and create an environment where women and non-neurotypical leaders feel comfortable discussing their challenges. By fostering awareness and understanding, Jen empowers individuals to value self-compassion and commit to taking care of their mental well-being.
Overcoming Negativity Bias in Feedback
Receiving feedback can be uncomfortable, especially when it is negative. Our brains are wired to focus on negativity due to a built-in negativity bias. As leaders, it’s crucial to overcome this bias and view feedback through a balanced lens. Feedback helps identify areas for improvement, allowing us to become more effective leaders and team members. Encouraging unbiased, open channels of communication fosters a more accurate understanding of one’s behavior and its impact on others.
Jen speaks about her client’s experiences with the 360 feedback process and stresses the importance of being open to feedback without letting negativity bias cloud our perceptions. She encourages listeners to seek feedback from a variety of sources such as peers and former managers, ensuring a broader range of perspectives. By acknowledging and overcoming negativity bias, leaders can truly capitalize on the benefits of feedback and use it as a tool for self-improvement and growth.
Composure and Balance Through Self-Care
Achieving composure and balance in our lives requires a commitment to self-care and prioritizing activities that support our well-being. Identifying personal boundaries and sticking to them is crucial in staying true to our values and maintaining a sense of equilibrium. Consistently investing time and energy into self-care practices contributes to a stronger foundation for physical, emotional, and mental health, ultimately enhancing our overall sense of composure and balance.
Self-care isn’t about indulging in short-term enjoyment but establishing habits that support our long-term well-being. Jen suggests meaningful self-care activities, emphasizing the value of long-term investments, like physical therapy, as a micro action that may not give instantaneous rewards but could lead to longevity in physical activities.
Mindset and Come-From Energy
The mindset and energy we bring to our work, relationships, and daily activities deeply impact our experiences and the results we achieve. Cultivating a positive mindset and harnessing the power of come-from energy can be transformative, influencing our perspective and attracting success and happiness. Embracing a growth mindset and taking responsibility for the energy we bring into various situations is essential to personal and professional development.
It’s important to cultivate a positive, growth-oriented mentality that encourages curiosity and adaptability. As Jen points out, embracing the right mindset and energy can make all the difference in unlocking our true potential and becoming more effective leaders.
Celebrating Small Accomplishments
Acknowledging and celebrating small accomplishments is vital in maintaining motivation and fostering a sense of achievement. Recognizing incremental progress provides reassurance that we are moving in the right direction and builds the positive momentum needed to reach more significant goals. By celebrating small wins, we learn to appreciate our own efforts and the journey toward success. This practice of gratitude and recognition can help boost morale and create a more comfortable, rewarding experience both personally and professionally.
By nurturing this mindset, individuals can maintain a healthy balance and derive genuine satisfaction from their achievements.
Resources Mentioned:
Kristin Neff on Self-Compassion
The Secret Life of Self-Talk by Erica Barnhart
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