We were having a special session to create her personal purpose statement – her succinct Brand. She was reflecting on the five years since becoming conscious of her core values. This is when she said:
“Unless you know who you are, you will fail in using all the external tools thrown at you.”
This was her way of beginning to tell her story over the last five years as a leader – a story that includes a consistent and conscious application of who she really is. She is unashamed in how she has leveraged her voice and her values.
She went internal. She didn’t apologize or feel guilty for doing this. She instinctively knew that going internal – giving herself time and attention – would benefit others as she then took her newfound knowledge and awareness external.
She now gathers skills and tools externally with a powerfully conscious focus on why she needs them. She actually went after these skills and tools with those she leads, influences and serves vividly in her mind.
She is writing a compelling story. And that is why she consistently cares for the internal.
