Welcome to Wisdom Wednesdays from Owl & Key
Each week, enjoy a quick guided reflection to help you unlock what's next and bring your Strategic Plan for Life into reality.
Let's dive in!
Today, another guest post from the ever-inspiring Owl & Key Expert Guide Angela Reeves. 💛
This pouring of words came out of a people leader training I was fortunate enough to facilitate this past month. I hope it helps you reflect on your leadership style this past year.
There isn’t just one way to lead…
BUT all leaders have a shared responsibility: to care for those in their charge (thanks for this take, Simon Sinek).
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To do this though, we must embark on the deep internal work of thoughtful reflection and emotional regulation.
Human beings are multifaceted.
Would you agree that we are complex beings with many parts? Are we more than just employees or associates?
Of course! We are partners, friends, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, caregivers, people with passions, hobbies, hopes, dreams, and fears.
True leadership.
It’s clear then that effective leadership–the ability to guide, lead, and influence people–cannot be about power, fear or even hierarchy.
Great leaders are authentic and empathetic, allowing people to show up as they are.
Even though (hopefully) most of us agree on the above, I’ve seen leading this way make other leaders feel uncomfortable. Make no mistake, the work gets done and desired results are still achieved, but the way it looks and more importantly, the way it feels, is noticeably different.
The shift.
Leaders, what breaks if the person comes first?
What if you start from a place of empathy?
What if we assume people are trying their best?
What if we celebrate vacations and boundaries as frequently as we hold up on a pedestal the examples of overwork and always-on commitment?
This takes effort and an unwavering intention. This style of leadership is a muscle built through real, everyday modeling. It requires pausing, starting over, and letting go of control.
We are not machines. When did being gentle become such a bold move? Yes, expectations must be clear, strategies must be built, tactics executed, and goals met. BUT we can do these things with care and compassion. Leaders can lead authentically AND coach for excellence when it comes to their teams.
It is not a binary choice. It is not choosing softness over success or even slow over speed. It is intentional and focused.
An empathetic and intentional leader, I argue, is not only better equipped to coach their team for sustainable long term success, but is also a better person to work with and for.
They stay steady through the storms and lead from intention instead of reactivity. These leaders combat burnout by offering clarity, autonomy and focus.
Define leadership for you.
Think of the best leader you know, what makes them so good?
How do you want to be led?
What kind of leader are you?
What kind of leader do you want to be?
In gentle strength,
Angela
Thank you, Angela, for your gifts to our community. 💛
Guidance for your next small step....
If you're a leader trying to be more intentional with your family, your team, your time and priorities in 2026...
- Connect with our founder Krista ([email protected]) to explore a 1:1 Strategic Partnership, Retreats, Programs and Workshops.
If you're a Community Member or in a current Strategic Planning for Life Class...
- Bring your reflections from this email to the next Community Call or Class session to share with your Guide or a friend.
If you or someone you love is interested in entrepreneurship and want to make 2026 the year of an intentional leap...
- Join us for this upcoming live program - kicking off November 6!
If you're a DIYer and just want to dip your toe into being more intentional going into 2026...
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