Note from Sue

Vulnerability is showing up everywhere I go.

When I spoke at ExecuNet (a networking group for executives) at the Toronto Board of Trade last month, the message was loud and clear. When a senior leader is between positions and looking for a new role, a key success strategy is telling everyone you know exactly what you are seeking, being specific about your unique strengths. This equips others to link you up with ideal opportunities. It’s important to be vulnerable enough to not only let people know about your current employment status but also to request a referral or other form of help. I recognize how difficult and humbling these efforts can be. Yet, those who step boldly into these behaviors find themselves supported and well-respected.

In coaching high-achieving, quickly-promoted executives, I find that a critical developmental transition is letting go of the idea that they must have all the answers to be well-regarded. Many believe that maintaining a polished executive presence is the ticket to the C-suite. All too often they are suddenly blindsided with the feedback that they don’t come across as genuine and that they need to adjust their style to inspire their staff. Ironically, they find that discovering and demonstrating their vulnerability is critical to being recognized as a great leader.

In working with executive teams, bringing these leaders to the point of showing vulnerability with one another is often the ticket to strengthening the team. The relationship becomes exponentially more powerful and improved business results reflect awareness of both real strengths and areas of challenge for the team.

In this newsletter, I offer my feature article on the power of vulnerability, “Being Vulnerable to be Strong”. In the Quick Links sidebar, you’ll find links to resources about being vulnerable enough to collaborate with others or ask for help.

Wishing you well with your own journey to authentic strength!

Sue Edwards
President
Development-By-Design

www.development-by-design.com
www.clearingthe90dayhurdle.com
 

News & Upcoming Events

June 15, 2007- Sue’s Presentation:
What’s all the Fuss About Onboarding Coaching?
NPA Conference, The Worldwide Recruiting Network
www.npainc.com

July 23, 2007
Awakening the Workplace 2
Book Launch & Author Signing
Sue Edwards and Patricia Muir
Oakville- Stay tuned for details


Quick Links

Sue’s article: Voting Yourself Off the Island
In Tapestries, Company of Women newsletter

Deal with your Achilles heel… Get admin help!
www.officeassist.ca

Enjoy this month’s feature article?
Buy the full book here!

Clearing the 90-Day Hurdle Presentation summary in May newsletter from Happen.ca

Even star new hires struggle with onboarding -
Get support here!

Sue's Blog
http://development-by-design.blogspot.com/

Feature Article - Being Vulnerable to be Strong

(excerpted from the book chapter You've Gotta' Flip It On Its Head! Four Key Strategies for Leadership Success in Awakening the Workplace 2, to be released June 2007)

In my coaching with leaders, I find they frequently discover that their long-held beliefs about what makes leaders successful flies directly in the face of what happens in real life. They demonstrate leadership characteristics based on commonly-held beliefs, such as....

Read You Gotta Be Vulnerable to Be Strong!