Introducing In the Cut Leadership Conversations with Sheila
Leadership. Often discussed. Always evaluated. Routinely underperformed. Frequently incorrectly claimed. Other times exemplary. Always impactful, whether good or bad.
I have always loved the topic of leadership. As a kid I devoured biographies and autobiographies, grasping at what made someone tick. Learning about what made them soar or sour through life. Understanding what they were thinking when making life-changing decisions that affected many beyond themselves.
Highly valued for its intent, and often incorrectly attributed, leadership recognizes and speaks to the core of who we are and the values we hold close. I have a picture of me as a kindergartener, with my light pink cat-eye glasses, holding court in a classroom. I was surrounded by my diverse array of classmates telling them something very important. The picture communicates that they were listening. And so, it began.
Modeled impeccably by my parents, who were a part of the Great Migration of 6 million Black people from the south to points north, east and west, I learned that leadership has very little to do with me. I know for certain that the people who choose you are the most important component of your leadership success. Any idea that leading is about you is a false notion and most often the downfall of those who try it.
There are myriad successful leadership models. And I know a lot of incredibly cool and brilliant people who lead in ways that I admire and respect. And that’s the point of In the Cut Leadership Conversations—to let you in on their stories—and to give me a chance to catch up with them and become even more inspired.
What’s in a Name?
"In the cut" means "in a state of being deeply involved or immersed in something". If you can imagine it visually, it’s the place in the back corner where I ponder without interruption. I hang out here thinking and writing about something I’ve seen, read, heard, felt, talked about or experienced. And now I’m inviting some incredibly talented folx to join me to talk about leadership.
If you’re new to my blog, welcome! I’ll be posting In the Cut Leadership Conversations weekly. Stop by and be inspired. And drop me a line if you know someone I should talk with and leave a good leadership question below!