Leadership Secrets: The Most Valuable Leadership Lesson Our Authors Learned

In a previous podcast panel, I was joined by some of the authors of the upcoming Dynamic Women® Leadership Secrets book, Rochelle Odesser, Candy Motzek, Laura Richards, and myself, to discuss how women succeed and overcome challenges. 

One of the questions I asked these authors is “What is the most valuable leadership lesson you’ve learned, and how would you advise others to apply it?” And I am going to share their answers to this question in this blog. 

Candy Motzek: For me, I think the most valuable lesson I learned was from an old boss that I had, and it's back to this thing of caring. I used to be like, get in the office early, work like crazy, stay late, climb that ladder.  He'd been around the block a few times. Every day, he would walk into the office and he would look around, and he would smile, and then he would go and he say, “Hello” to every single person. 

I used to think, “What an incredible waste of time.” But you know what? When it came down to it, he created a relationship with everybody. He was really keeping his finger on the pulse about what was going on and who was okay and who wasn't. We felt trusted and that we mattered. 

For me, that's a huge thing. A seemingly small question of, "How are you today?" when really asked from that place of the heart goes a long way to creating a solid team.

Diane Rolston: Building that consistency every single day. I get what you mean, a waste of time. I love efficiency, and that's actually a lesson that I had to learn. I wish that someone had modeled that for me like it was modeled for you. But the other piece of that is even when people model it, some people don't always pay attention, and you pay attention and then implement. I think that's one of the key things. Laura, Rochelle, and Candy are giving so many pieces of gold around leadership and how to be a better leader and really, just evolve as a person. But will you implement the things that are said? That's the key.

Let's hear what Laura has to say about a valuable leadership lesson learned. 

Laura Richards: I'm going to say the dreaded B-word, boundaries. I'm telling you, that's my superpower. You know what I mean? When I learned how to set boundaries, because you're not only protecting yourself, you're setting and maintaining a healthy culture in your organization and in your community. I'm talking about community around you, your friendships, all those kinds of things, like who you are, like when you go into the world, that you're building community.

When you can teach people where your door is, because boundaries, show people where the door is to get to you. That to me is so important. Leadership isn't about pleasing everybody, but it's where you have to uphold the values, create safe environments, and address toxicity head-on. 

My advice is to get comfortable with that—learning how to set healthy boundaries. It's hard at first if you don't know how, and that's something that I do talk about often on my podcasts and with my clients, how to do that because that's the ultimate act of self-love that will trickle down to every single thing in your world.

Diane Rolston: This is what you do with your clients. Candy and I do it with our clients. Rochelle knows enough about this that she's setting boundaries with her clients and helping them to do the same. Can you just give us an example of one boundary that might someone might set just so the readers can be like, “Ah, okay, now I'm seeing how that can apply.”

Laura Richards: Who are you is the biggest thing. Look to understand who you are and what you want from this world. Because there are going to be a lot of people who are going to take from you. The one that's coming to mind is in a world of takers, especially if we have this persona that we are givers—okay, when we go into this world and we care, and we love, and we're trying to help people—we’re givers. The takers are going to take. Trying to understand that I can only give a certain amount, and I will allow only a certain amount, and not to feel bad. It's not about pleasing everybody. Not to feel bad when you do have to tell people "No". Because we can say, "No, thank you" or "No, that's not what I do. This is what I do," and be okay with that.

It's learning who you are and how you're going to interact with the takers because they will find you.

Diane Rolston: They'll be like, “Hey, can I just ask you a quick question?” and all of a sudden, you're coaching them for free. Some words that I've said is, “Sure, I've got five minutes for you.”

Laura Richards: Yes, and that's really hard. I have had people say, “Throw your calendar at them,” and say, "Hey, sure. Sign up.” Even I have a free call on my calendar. But it's very short, and sometimes it needs to go on my calendar so you know that I'm not just running a cute little business. I'm actually running a business, not just a little hobby I have.

Diane Rolston: Even if you know you need to go to Costco or lunch with a friend, that's still important. They're not coming into that time. Thank you, Laura. 

For you, Rochelle, what do you think? What has been one of the most valuable leadership lessons that you've learned?

Rochelle Odesser: Kindness. When I first started working in this business, the first manager I had was a female, and she was very direct and firm. I thought unkind in the way she handled not only me, but some of her clients and other people she was working with. 

I hated that image, and I didn't like the fact and we're talking a very long time ago. I'm talking about in the '80s. There was that image that a woman had to be the B word in order to be successful. It was just a place too far that I was not going to go.

It just wasn't me. I didn't think I would develop good relationships with co-workers that way, and certainly not with clients. I always wanted to be kind to them. If I couldn't help you, I was going to say that in a way that would at least direct you elsewhere, so you might get an answer or find a place. I think when you talk about society, that's lacking a lot, but that's very important to me. When you talk about boundaries, that’s very important to me. 

Diane Rolston: You can be kind and assertive. You can be kind and direct. You can be kind and honest. Just using all of those with kind. It's not a kind doormat. It's kind with all of these other qualities. Yes, that's important. 

Wrapping Up

These leadership lessons from the Dynamic Women® Leadership Secrets authors, Candy, Laura, Rochelle, and myself, are just a glimpse into the powerful insights packed into this book. From building relationships and setting boundaries to leading with kindness and confidence, these lessons are designed to help you step into your full leadership potential.

If you want to listen to the whole panel interview, listen here.

It’s not too late to be part of this book! If you’re a woman with a leadership story to share, this is your chance to join the book and have your voice heard. Don’t miss this opportunity to inspire and impact others with your journey.

Plus, our exclusive launch party is happening this May! Join the invite list now to celebrate with us and be among the first to grab your copy of Dynamic Women® Leadership Secrets.

Read my other blogs:

1. 5 Reasons to Be a Collaborative Author When you Have Your Own Book or are Writing One
2. ​3 Main Things to Look for in Collaborative Book Opportunities
3. ​3 Ways You’ll Get Left Behind by NOT Being an Author