Happy Birthday to Me – And Here’s My Gift to You!
48 Leadership Lessons I've Learned During My Career
Today, I’m celebrating my 48th birthday, and as always on my birthday, I’m in reflective mode. So, as I celebrate another year, I’m sharing 48 pieces of leadership wisdom that have shaped me – and that I hope will inspire you too.
Grab a cup of tea, and let’s dive in.
This is a free post, so enjoy and share if you find it valuable.
To upgrade to a monthly paid subscription of £5.00 and benefit from weekly leadership coaching advice from me (we’re focused on building executive presence at the moment and there’s still time to catch up on this series), please do so here:
Leadership Lessons from 48 Years (eeek!)
Start and end with your values – They’re your anchor in turbulent times.
Confidence comes from taking action – Not from waiting to feel ready. (Spoiler alert - you never will be!)
Listening is a superpower (and hugely valuable leadership skill) – Most problems can be solved when people feel truly heard.
Your leadership brand is your legacy – Be intentional about it. (I’ll be launching something new soon to help you with this!)
Mistakes are teachers – Don’t fear them; learn from them. (I’ve made MANY over the years and they’ve been extremely valuable - coaching can help you unlock these insights)
Perfectionism is the enemy of progress – Done is often better than perfect.
Curiosity builds connections (and is another leadership superpower!) – Ask questions, and you’ll open doors.
Prioritise ruthlessly – You can’t do everything, but you can do what matters most.
Feedback is a gift – Even when it’s hard to hear. Another valuable lesson you’ll learn from coaching.
Invest in relationships – The strongest leaders don’t go it alone. And you can’t be an island.
Clarity is kindness – Especially in communication. More on this coming soon to the newsletter!
Influence starts with trust – Build it authentically.
Bet on yourself – You’re more capable than you realise. You really are.
Celebrate small wins – Progress often hides in the details. (I recommend keeping a “sunshine folder” in your emails to capture these!)
Delegate to elevate – Empower others, and you’ll grow together.
Speak the language of your audience – Especially at the executive level.
Your mindset matters – How you frame challenges shapes outcomes.
Stay adaptable – The only constant in leadership is change.
Never stop learning – Read, listen, and stay curious.
Be kind to yourself – Self-compassion fuels resilience. This one took me a while!
Set boundaries – Protect your time, energy, and focus.
Silence isn’t a weakness – It’s often a sign of strength.
Your presence matters – Show up fully, whether it’s a meeting or a 1:1.
Trust your instincts – They’re often wiser than you think.
Know when to say no – Every yes costs something.
Imposter syndrome is normal – Don’t let it hold you back. I specialise in this in my coaching practice, so if you’re feeling it as you head into 2025, do get in touch for a chat.
Celebrate others’ success – It strengthens the whole team.
Stay curious about people – Everyone has a story worth hearing.
Lead with empathy – People remember how you made them feel.
Embrace marginal gains – Small improvements lead to big results.
Don’t avoid hard conversations – They’re the pathway to clarity.
Be the calm in the storm – Leadership requires steadiness.
Surround yourself with different perspectives – Diversity makes you stronger and also strengthens the quality and outcome of decision making.
Own your achievements – Humility is great, but don’t shrink yourself. Another huge lesson I’ve learned over the years!
Define what success looks like for you – Not what others expect.
Lead yourself first – Self-leadership is the foundation for leading others. And self-awareness is the first step on that journey.
Energy is contagious – Bring the energy you want to see.
Don’t underestimate rest – Recovery is part of high performance.
Your reputation is your currency – Protect it fiercely.
Celebrate your team’s wins loudly – It fosters loyalty and pride.
Leadership is service – It’s about lifting others.
Progress over perfection – Keep moving forward.
You can’t please everyone – Focus on what’s right, not what’s easy.
Take time to reflect – Learning comes from pausing to look back.
Stay curious about the future – Adaptability starts with curiosity.
Trust the process – Growth takes time.
Never forget your why – It’s the compass for every decision.
Lead with your values on your sleeve - not your emotions!
A Reflective Prompt for You
As you read through these lessons, which one resonates most with you right now? Take a moment to reflect: how could applying that insight shift your leadership journey in the weeks ahead?
If this list inspired you, let’s continue the conversation. Coaching is where insights like these become personalised strategies for your career, so you can overcome any self-limiting beliefs that may be holding you bacl. Click here to schedule a free call.
Thank you for celebrating with me. Here’s to continued growth, learning, and leading with intention – together.
On Thursday, we’ll be covering another essential trait of Executive Presence, stay tuned!
Louise
Happy Birthday Louise. Thank you very much for the wonderful gift! Almost everyone of them resonates with me.
Happy birthday!