Core Values in Practice

What sets apart truly exceptional leaders? 🌟 Leadership Insight: The Wisdom of Self-Leadership 🌟 In this oldie but goodie, I dive deep into the profound role of wisdom in leadership, drawing inspiration from historical giants and personal growth. Self-leadership, fueled by self-realization, is crucial for anyone aspiring to lead effectively—whether in a corporate setting, within the community, or even at home. Here are some actionable insights for aspiring leaders: - Invest in Self-Realization: Commit to a personal development plan that includes spiritual or philosophical studies. This not only enhances your wisdom but also equips you to handle complex leadership challenges with grace and integrity. - Reflect on Your Values: Regularly take time to reflect on your core values and how they influence your leadership style. This alignment ensures authenticity in your decisions and actions. - Embrace Perseverance: History's greatest leaders were not just visionaries but also resilient in the face of adversity. Cultivate perseverance by setting clear goals and maintaining focus, even when obstacles arise. Read more about these principles in my full article: https://lnkd.in/gN3FVj6c Question to Reflect On: How do your personal values shape your leadership style, and what practices help you maintain alignment with these values in your professional life? #leadership #emotionalintelligence #selfrealization #motivation

“Lara, I am thinking about asking to change from my actual leadership role to a specialist role, which I do very well also. I feel that I am becoming a person I don't want to be….” Many of us, when we start to grow in the corporative world, start also to fit models to be able to adjust to certain expectations we believe will bring us faster to the positions we are aiming. This mentee, she is a woman in a very volatile environment and she is the only woman in a male set up. For many of us who are "different” or diverse from the group we are working with, this might be even more true. If we are younger, from a different country, from a different religion, etc… We will only feel like this when who we are and what we want is forgotten, or not clearly worked out. This happens a lot when we are changing leadership levels: 1. Individual contributor to leader of individuals and 2. Leader of individuals to leader of leaders. To be a leader of individuals you need to understand individual motivations and bring the best out of them. Technical support can be part of the work, not the essence. In this case you might excel by helping each individual to excel. To be a leader of leaders is another ball game. You have to respect the leadership style of each leader. Your focus is to make them understand that their task is to take the best out their teams and that is nothing easier than to lead teams that are in their element. Teams that are comfortable with each other and are proud of their work are easier to lead. For this WE need to be in our element knowing who we are and what we want…. The best moment for us to make a journey on who we are is while we are thinking about our professional growth. Our professional growth should be a reinforcement of our personal growth, otherwise we will have a#passivegrowth - a growth that is based on external expectations that will end up crashing with our #corevalues and our #purpose. To be have a healthy professional growth, it is essencial that you put the right attention in your personal growth. 1. What are my core values? 2. What is my life’s purpose? 3. How my work today reflect those values and purpose? 4. How my promotion and this team I am leading will be a tool for me to live my values and purpose? Being clear about who you are and what is important to you will make also easier for your company to assign the best role to you, so you can live in your element. This is the best way to grow professionally, personally and feel well about it! No doubt about who we are becoming will emerge. Are you in sync with your true self in your professional journey? Let's discuss. #LaraBezerra #WorkCoherence #LaraMentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #ProfessionalAlignment #CoreValues #PurposeDrivenCareer #CorporateChallenges

Your company’s core values can actually change how your employees act (hang with me here!). Anyone who’s been following me for a while has heard me talk about heuristics – the subconscious shortcuts our brains take to make decisions. Why does this happen? Because there are so many decisions – big and small – that come our way in a day. We need to make them as quickly and easily as possible, or else we'd never get anything done. That decision ends up being what seems like the right response based on past experiences. This means, subconsciously, the majority of your decisions come from your “default settings.” So, back to core values. One of our core values at The Good is “Make Improvements, Not Excuses.” When we hit a roadblock or don’t perform as well as we should (because we can’t be perfect all of the time – we’re people), we don’t just stop. Not ideal, but it's done. It's fine that it happened. Now how do we fix it? When those situations come up enough times, and we push for improvements enough times, it becomes our default. Our brains shortcut to see problems as an opportunity to improve. 👉 That’s how we’ve created an environment where everyone is constantly growing. 👉 That’s how our client outcomes get consistently better. 👉 That’s how our expertise grows. 👉 That’s why it’s ok to make mistakes, hit roadblocks or have periods where you can’t perform the way you usually do because there’s something going on in your personal life. Because along the way, we’ve trained ourselves to see that situation as a way to improve. We created that mental shortcut because we trained our brains to make that the clear and obvious response. What values or ideals do you think drives your decision-making? 👇

🌟 Implementing 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬 in Our Daily Operations 🌟 A decade ago, I encountered Patrick Lencioni's insightful article, "Make Your Values Mean Something," which profoundly influenced my professional philosophy. You can read the article here: https://lnkd.in/ecthNGpR Since then, I've strived to integrate the premise of genuine value alignment into every role and organization I've been part of—whether leading a team, managing a department, or steering company-wide initiatives. With over two decades of experience in the Health & Life Science industry, aligning core values with my company's mission and measurable outcomes has been crucial for maintaining compliance, enhancing operational efficiency, and driving sustainable growth. However, embedding these principles has not been without its challenges and successes: 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬: 🟡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞: Initiating a shift in culture to prioritize core values can meet resistance, especially in well-established settings where traditional practices are deeply ingrained. 🟡 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: Ensuring that all departments adhere to the same core values requires continuous communication and leadership commitment, which can be resource-intensive. 🟡 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: Quantifying the direct impact of core values on operational success poses a significant challenge, as the benefits are often long-term and indirectly reflected in employee satisfaction and customer loyalty. 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬: 🟢𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: Teams that embrace shared values tend to exhibit stronger collaboration and unity, which facilitates smoother project execution and innovation. 🟢𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Consistently applying core values enhances our reputation in the industry, attracting talent and partnerships that share these ideals. 🟢𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: Companies grounded in strong, well-communicated values are better positioned to withstand market fluctuations and internal disruptions. I invite my peers and industry leaders to reflect and share how they have integrated core values into their business practices. What challenges and successes have you experienced in embedding these principles into your daily operations and strategic planning? #Leadership #CoreValues #ProfessionalGrowth

In the last year I have had a number of experiences where I have been asked to share how I lead, my leadership style, or my leadership philosophy. I have always struggled to put a label on my approach; I am not sure I have a particular leadership philosophy or style.  Leadership is situational.  As leaders we need to modify our approach to meet the individual or team “where they are” and in a style that meets their needs. My approach is to remain flexible, to understand the needs of the team or individual, and then adapt the approach to the situation.  However, as we flex our approach, we need to maintain consistency in expectations and values to cultivate and maintain trust. If I was forced to find a label right now and right here as I ponder this question over a cup of coffee, I guess I would choose people-centered and action oriented. Here are a few tenets I try to follow and model.  Try is the operative word – stumbling along the way is part of the journey. •       Empowerment –True empowerment requires responsibility, accountability, authority, autonomy, and support. •       Equitable Not Equal – Meritocracy balanced with team before me. •       Strengths Based Development – Develop and leverage strengths, address and mitigate weaknesses. •       We Learn Most Through Our Experiences – both failures and successes. •       Great leaders are great coaches and competent managers. •       Principles and trust over policy and hierarchy. •       Learning mindset - the answers are in the questions you ask, how you ask them, and your intention when asking. •       Be clear on the problem to solve before attempting to solve it. •       Empathy not Sympathy. •       Honest, candid, and timely feedback delivered with positive intent. •       Although results are critically important, HOW we get the results is paramount. •       Be humble My purpose for sharing my thoughts is twofold.  First, it is a great motivator to think deeply about specific topics, challenge my own beliefs, and highlight gaps or biases.  Secondly, and most importantly it is a great learning opportunity.  As I delve into a topic, I always learn something new.  One of the most satisfying parts of the learning journey is having that “ah-ha” moment when I connect some previously unconnected dots or simply modify my current view with a new learning.  I cherish those “ah-ha” moments. Over the upcoming weeks (more likely, months) I will dive into each of these tenets as I continue down my personal learning journey. Everyone has their own style, their own philosophy, their own way of leading (and following – great leaders know when to follow).  Libraries, bookstores, and ChatGPT have enough content on leadership to fill a lifetime of reading.  Leadership is personal, and being genuine to who you are as a leader is critical. There is no single best way to lead because no 2 leaders are the same.  We all need to leverage our strengths and mitigate our weaknesses and shortcomings.

I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure, which is: Try to please everybody. —Herbert Swope Leadership success often involves making tough decisions and staying true to your vision, even if it means not pleasing everyone. Earlier this year, I posted how easy it is to say “YES” and how true leadership is the art of saying “NO”.  This highly aligns with that because those decisions often include tradeoffs and no’s.  ✔ Stay True to Your Values: Define your core values and principles as a leader. Let these values guide your decisions and actions. When faced with tough choices, align them with your values and vision, even if it means not pleasing everyone. ❌ Compromise Your Vision: Avoid compromising your long-term goals and vision just to appease others in the short term. Making consistent progress toward your vision often means making difficult decisions that might not be universally popular. In theory, your vision should be established for the long term success of the business – so comprising ‘now’ means damaging the ‘future’. ✔ Communicate Transparently: Be open and transparent about your decisions and the reasons behind them. When people understand the rationale, they are more likely to accept and support your choices, even if they initially disagree.  Even if they don’t support a particular decision, your teams will trust that you HAVE a reason. ❌ Fear Constructive Criticism: While you should stay true to your values and vision, don't shy away from constructive criticism and feedback. Be open to input that can help you make better-informed decisions. If all you’re listening to is the “yes, people”, then what’s the real value of having a supporting team?  Everyone’s experience matters. Remember, leadership success is about making choices that align with your values and long-term goals, even if it means not pleasing everyone in the moment. By staying true to your principles and communicating transparently, you can lead with integrity and purpose.  It also happens to align with the business goals and direction your company needs. #LeadershipSuccess #ValuesDrivenLeadership #TransparentCommunication #ActionableSteps

What is passion and how does one build it in others? Yesterday, I started a series regarding the energy a senior leader can bring to a team. But the focus of this series is on creating the traits that inspire ourselves and others. One of these traits is Passion. When it comes to building passion (rather than waiting for it to magically appear), it takes intentional exploration, reflection, and reinforcement. Here are six actionable activities I recommend to help individuals develop authentic passion: 1. Meaning. Finding the purpose behind the mission can be one of the most challenging aspects of breeding passion. Entrepreneurs are deeply rooted in purpose, while others focus on tasks Encourage your people to explore what problems they genuinely care about solving. Have them answer two questions: - What frustrates you most in the world and your job? - If money weren’t a concern, what would you spend your time fixing? This drives passionate thoughts around purpose over tasks every day. 2. Experiences. Exposure to new experiences breeds passion. Encourage cross-functional projects, stretching into new roles, and attending industry events outside of comfort zones. New exposure often lights a fire. 3. Surround. Exposure to others also breeds passion. Break through siloes (don't tear them down) and encourage engagement across the company. Being stuck in one job and working with the same team day-in and day-out, drives a narrow focus on task management. 4. Curiosity. One of the most powerful traits of a leader is their questioning of why. When your employees only concern themselves with what, they just want to be led. Promote environments that value learning and experimentation. Passion is often sparked when curiosity is allowed to flourish without fear of failure. 5. Storytelling. Yesterday, I was telling Joe Boyd that the power of stories can explain strategy, drive alignment, influence stakeholders, and lead with clarity. Teach your employees to tell these stories: why they selected this path, why their work matters, and why they stayed at it during tough times. Storytelling activates emotional connection and can reignite passion from within. 6. The Journey. A regular practice of reflecting on daily work and identifying what felt meaningful helps individuals tune in to sources of motivation and passion they might otherwise overlook. Allow time each week to reflect on the past week, month, quarter, and year. . Building passion is not about fireworks ... it's a slow-burning flame fed by intention, immersion, action, and reflection. With the right coachsulting structure behind them, even the most disengaged professionals can reconnect with what makes their work matter. How would you rate your passion and the passion of those around you? ….. Follow me if you enjoy discussing business and success daily. Click on the double notification bell 🔔 to be informed when I post. #betheeagle

🌟 Embracing Authenticity: The Heart of True Leadership 🌟 In today's dynamic and ever-evolving business landscape, one quality stands out above all others in effective leadership: authenticity. Authentic leadership isn't just a buzzword; it's the cornerstone of building trust, fostering collaboration, and driving sustainable success. Authentic leaders are genuine, transparent, and true to themselves. They don't wear masks or hide behind facades but lead with integrity and honesty, inspiring others to do the same. Here's why authenticity matters now more than ever: 1. Trust and Credibility: Authenticity breeds trust. When leaders are authentic, their actions align with their words, fostering credibility among team members, stakeholders, and customers. Trust is the currency of leadership, and authenticity is the key to earning it. 2. Empowerment and Engagement: Authentic leaders empower others by creating an environment where individuals feel safe expressing themselves and taking risks. By embracing authenticity, leaders encourage open communication, creativity, and innovation, driving higher levels of engagement and performance. 3. Resilience and Adaptability: Authentic leaders are comfortable with vulnerability and embrace their imperfections. They recognize that failure is a natural part of growth and view setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement. In times of uncertainty and change, authenticity enables leaders to adapt, pivot, and lead with resilience. 4. Cultural Alignment: Authenticity is contagious. When leaders embody authenticity, they set the tone for organizational culture, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose. Authentic leaders attract like-minded individuals who align with the organization's values, driving greater cohesion and unity. 5. Long-Term Impact: Authentic leadership isn't just about short-term results; it's about creating a lasting legacy. Leaders who lead authentically inspire loyalty and commitment, impacting their teams, organizations, and communities for years. In a world where authenticity is often undervalued, let's remember that authentic leadership begins with being true to oneself. By embracing authenticity, we can cultivate stronger relationships, drive meaningful change, and create a brighter future for all. How do you embrace authenticity in your leadership journey? Share your thoughts below! #AuthenticLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #Empowerment #Trust

I spent over 100 hours studying legendary coaches & CEOs. Turns out, world-class leadership is simple. The key is to master these 7 principles: 1. Lead From the Front Most "leaders" are actually bosses, "telling" people what to do. But this creates a toxic culture: • Shaky operations • Resentment • Poor results Instead, great leaders dictate the tempo. They lead by example—bringing more volume & intensity than anyone else. This forces their team to rise to meet that level of energy (or get left behind). The result? Tremendous output. Which brings us to the 2nd principle: 2. Preach the Score Takes Care of Itself Poor leaders fixate on outcomes. • The stock price • The sales number • The user milestone But great leaders understand: Outcomes are not a result—they are a byproduct. So instead of obsessing over short-term metrics, they stress the importance of: • Inputs • Details • Process They focus on building the system that makes results inevitable. And the key to building that system? The 3rd principle: 3. Take Extreme Ownership Great leaders understand everything that happens in their organization is 100% their responsibility. • No blaming • No defending • No complaining Instead, they realize everything is their fault—and they act this way: 4. Reinforce Tight Feedback Loops "Power is the speed at which you can go from idea to execution"—Alex Hormozi So the most powerful person would be someone who: • Thinks about something • It instantly appears in the real world Most companies have slow feedback loops. They begin working on something, then "circle back" at the end of the week. Instead, make the default the end of the day (or hour!) You'll get 7x more done than everyone else (at least). To do this, you need the 5th principle: 5. Deliver Radical Candor Poor communication kills culture. And most organizations communicate with either: 1. No sincerity & tons of gossip 2. Brutal honesty & complete lack of empathy Both are recipes for long-term disaster. Here's what to do instead: Kim Scott defines Radical Candor as striking the balance between: • Caring personally • Challenging directly The leader who communicates well strikes the perfect mix of: • Honesty • Empathy • Directness Develop this with our 6th principle: 6. Overcommunicate. Most "leaders" expect their team to be mind readers. • Vague instructions • Unclear decision-making rules Then, like clockwork, something is done incorrectly. From there, this happens: The "leader": 1. Blames the other person 2. Complains about their incompetence Lack of Extreme Ownership & Radical Candor. Then the vicious cycle continues. Instead, communicate expectations clearly, concisely, & repeatedly. Otherwise, our last principle is impossible: 7. Expect Competitive Greatness Combining the first 6 principles create a culture of: • Positive-sum collaboration • Efficient communication • Operational excellence • Rapid iteration loops The result? Winning.

Revealing Core Values And how business reflects our true essence Our core values are not merely words on a plaque or a slogan on a website. They are the guiding principles that shape every decision, interaction, and outcome. Business, in its essence, serves as a mirror reflecting the true nature of individuals and organizations alike. A topic that is VERY close to my heart ✅Ethical Compass- Navigating the complex landscape of commerce, our ethical compass guides us. Whether it’s choosing between short-term gains and long-term sustainability, prioritizing integrity over expedience, or fostering a culture of transparency, our actions in business reveal the depth of our ethical convictions. ✅Commitment to Excellence- True dedication to excellence is not just about achieving milestones or meeting targets. It’s about the relentless pursuit of improvement and innovation. Our commitment to excellence, we demonstrate our unwavering pursuit of quality, creativity, and progress. ✅Empathy and Collaboration- Business is inherently relational(actual humans😏), built on networks of interactions and interdependencies. How we engage with colleagues, clients, partners, and communities speaks volumes about our capacity for empathy, collaboration, and inclusivity. It’s through these connections that our core values are tested and strengthened. ✅Resilience and Adaptability- The business landscape is marked by uncertainty, volatility, and disruption. How we respond to adversity, pivot in times of change, and persevere in the pursuit of our goals reflects the depth of our character and the resilience of our values. ✅Impact and Purpose- Beyond profit and bottom lines, business has the power to create meaningful impact and serve a higher purpose. Whether it’s through corporate social responsibility initiatives, sustainable practices, or purpose-driven missions, our actions in business reflect our commitment to making a positive difference in the world. Every transaction, negotiation, decision, and interaction in the business world is an opportunity to embody our values and demonstrate our true essence. By aligning our actions with our core values, we not only shape the success of our enterprises but also contribute to a more ethical, inclusive, and sustainable future. Strive to lead with integrity, purpose, and compassion, knowing that in business, as in life, our true core values are revealed. Always. 💕CB