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I recently appeared on the Executive Grooves Podcast, and I ended up talking about my guilty 80's secret Reader
Its not often (or ever?) that a leadership podcast chat starts with talking about the music that you listened to as a teenager - so I found myself revealing things that may resonate with you:
- 80's pop bands
- learning the lyrics to songs from Smash Hit (which they never got right by the way!)
- tapping the charts every Sunday, trying to hit pause before the DJ talked over the end.
- Oh yes - and having a Howard Jones poster by my bed, which I kissed goodnight. (I'm cringing writing this. But also, it's a joyful memory)
But beyond the 80s confessions, the conversation went somewhere I wasn't entirely expecting.
Ian asked me about my toughest leadership experience and I told him about the moment four years ago when everything I'd been building - the career I'd planned and worked hard for - fell apart.
How I resigned without a plan.
How I blamed myself.
How I didn't recognise what was happening as burnout because I was too busy telling myself I wasn't good enough.
I also talked about:
→ How adapting yourself for too long puts a real strain on your nervous system and why that matters more than most of us realise until it's too late
→ The difference between performing leadership and actually leading from yourself (it sounds subtle; it isn't)
→ What changed when I started working from my strengths and aligning with what I actually needed, and why that's the only version of me that does her best work
→ What I'd tell my younger self (it's simple, but I really wish I had)
If any of this sounds familiar, if you recognise that slow erosion of confidence and self-trust, or the pressure to be a version of a leader that doesn't quite fit, this conversation may resonate.
You can watch the full episode here.
I'd love to know what resonates with you, especially the music that influenced you as you were growing up - simply reply to this email.
Niki
P.S. I was also a Wham girl, Rick Astley, Madonna, Duran Duran..... the list goes on.
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