Brené Brown (American Author, researcher, and storyteller) talks about vulnerability and authenticity, and maybe it has taken us working through the pandemic and from home - with kids, dogs, and the chaos of life - to instill in managers the reality of what being “an authentic leader” really means.
I’ve changed as a leader over the last year. When I was having a bad day, I didn’t strike that “wonder woman” pose. Maybe it was wearing workout clothes under my scarf and cardigan or maybe it was pure emotional exhaustion, but I shared my emotions and my challenges in a way that I hadn’t previously. As a team, we were meeting virtually, and eventually became closer as we “Zoomed” from our homes. Today, we are talking about “returning to normal” post-pandemic. But maybe that “old normal” wasn’t real at all.
Looking ahead, I do miss my work clothes, even my uncomfortable high heel shoes. I can’t wait to meet in person again, whether in an office or restaurant. But now, I think I’ll leave my lint remover at home and show up with some dog hair on my blazer!
