As Co-Founder and the Chief Wellness Officer at BIÂN, with a team of over 100 employees under our leadership, and a family of two young kids and one on the way, I understand the demands and pressures of both professional and personal life. Juggling the responsibilities of a partner, mother, friend, and leader requires a deep understanding of the importance of leading oneself first. I want to delve into the concept of leadership and empowerment, focusing on lifestyle, mindset, and thought work as the foundational elements of one's life and leadership ability.

Leading Yourself First: Regardless of where you are in your leadership journey, whether you have children or not, the opportunity to radiate empowering strength exists. It all begins with leading yourself first through your lifestyle and mindset. As Carl Rogers pointed out, "The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination." This resonates deeply with the self-care impact, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle while juggling leadership and/or multiple roles. Mindset is the power of choice - where every moment provides an opportunity to decide your chosen focus vs living your life based on circumstance where you hand over the power over your emotional state.

Lifestyle Impact: It is crucial to acknowledge the ever-changing fluctuations in our physiological makeup, from hormone shifts, energy fluctuations, and other aging realities. Taking control over our lifestyle, including how we sleep, consume, move, love, and work, becomes even more important. It's not about achieving a perfect balance, but rather understanding the impact of these aspects on our health, thinking, and energy levels and that they must be addressed regularly.

Mindset Influence: Our beliefs, tone of thought/focus, and personal responsibility play a significant role in shaping our leadership ability. Aligning our actions with our beliefs (and noting that our beliefs are ones that WE chose), adopting a growth mindset, and taking personal responsibility for our thoughts, actions, and feelings are essential for effective leadership.

The impact of leadership is intricately tied to our relationships with key areas, namely self, success, challenge, and community.

Self: Self-regulation, bypassing imposter syndrome, and maintaining a razor-sharp focus on our true selves despite circumstances are vital for leadership. Embracing wholeness rather than a "lack of" mentality, and doing the deeper work within ourselves contribute to powerful leadership.

Success: Distinguishing between perfectionism and optimalism, and redefining what constitutes success, shapes our approach to leadership and empowers us to lead with intention and purpose.

Challenge: Embracing a growth mindset, viewing stress and challenges as opportunities for growth (and learning to embrace them as energizing), and building resilience in the face of adversity are fundamental for effective leadership.

Community: Leading with curiosity, actively engaging with tools like "Active Love," and fostering genuine connections within our community define our impact as leaders.

Strategic and Consistent Action

Finally, leadership and empowerment demand strategic and consistent action. Developing awareness of the above aspects, formulating a plan, engaging in mental rehearsal, and consistently taking action even when faced with uncertainty are the cornerstones of impactful leadership.

Leadership and empowerment are deeply intertwined with leading oneself first through lifestyle and mindset, cultivating strong relationships with key areas, and taking strategic and consistent action. By embracing these principles, we pave the way for a society and organizations where individuals, especially women, can thrive and make a real impact.

At BIÂN, we continue to champion these principles, recognizing the vast possibilities that emerge when we empower ourselves and others to lead with authenticity, strength, and purpose.

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This piece corresponds with one of our leading Thought Leadership Workshops & Coaching programs at BIÂN. Explore coaching offerings on the app or visit www.livebian.com/thought-leadership

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