Off The Clock
The important leadership lesson I took away from a decidedly personal podcast
I hate talking about myself.
Not because I’m unwilling to share information—I’ll happily answer almost any question that’s asked—but because I’m an introvert and a relatively private person, by nature.
If I’m being really honest, there’s also a piece of me that feels like I don’t have all that interesting of a story to tell.
So naturally, when I was asked to go on my colleagues’ podcast—available below or on Spotify—I enthusiastically agreed.
Because I know the hosts Jacob and Cheryl through work, I assumed I was being invited to talk about work-related topics, particularly this blog and the leadership lessons I share in it.
But alas, they had something different in mind.
They asked me questions about where I grew up, my siblings, and where my commitment to equity and inclusion comes from. Wait … what? 😳
It turns out Jacob and Cheryl started their podcast, Off the Clock: The Conversations You Actually Want to Have, to get to know professional colleagues on a personal level.
You see, they have this audacious idea that we all want to connect with each other as people, first … before getting down to business.
And that, dear friends, just might be the most important leadership lesson of all.
There’s nothing more important you can do as a leader than get to know your team members, and allow them to get to know you.
Connecting with your employees on a personal level helps create psychological safety on your team.
You being you, fully and authentically, creates spaces for your team members to do the same and bring their full selves to work.
Before your team will trust you …
Before your team will subscribe to your vision …
Before your team will even consider following your lead …
They want to connect with you as a human being.
Which makes perfect sense.
Because in the end, in or outside of work, isn’t human connection what we all need and want—and crave, even?
So in the spirit of connection, I hope you enjoy the podcast. I certainly enjoyed recording it and getting to know Jacob and Cheryl a bit better, off the clock.
PS: Something I allude to in the podcast but don’t elaborate on is … I got married a few weeks ago! In a beautiful, impromptu ceremony at the lake where we met, I married the love of my life. It was absolutely perfect, and I could not be happier. ❤️
Now it’s your turn! Drop me a line or share something about yourself in the comments below. Let’s all find ways to connect more deeply with each other—beginning right here and now.