INT 067: Bring Out the Best in Others (to Be Your Best Self)

The phrase “what goes around, comes around” is applicable in many situations. And leadership is one of them. In today’s episode of IntHerrupt, Linda is joined by professional communicator Monique Russell to discuss how unlocking your best self is best accomplished through helping others be their own best self.

What defines someone’s best self?

• Your best self is when you can be honest with yourself, considering how you get along with others and how you experience and show compassion. 
• It’s also embracing all parts of who we are - the good and the bad.
• Monique found her best self after years of coaching and therapy. No matter how many accolades we have, internal development fosters deeper connections with others.
• You don’t know what you don’t know. And opening up and letting vulnerability embrace you can help with the process.

Helping others see their best self:

• Think about parents - you can teach and talk all day long, but kids ultimately mirror the actions and behaviors rather than listen to words.
• Leaders who struggle to realign with their team find it challenging to advocate for someone else when both parties are overworked and burning the candle on both ends.
• The best way to help others is by setting the example to take care of yourself.

What can you do when you slip back into unhealthy behaviors?

• We are not robots, meaning we’ll never get to a place devoid of obstacles. 
• When faced with a crisis, give yourself grace. Look at past times you’ve faltered and determine what you did to overcome those challenges.
• Don’t look at the big mountain; just look at the next small step.
• We are empowered by sharing. Share to story to find additional empowerment.

Three steps to be your best self:

• Have a vision - without vision, you’re operating on a default idea.
• Get connected with a community (and community can mean just one or two people) who can help you be accountable to yourself.
• Think about your health. No matter what you do or strive towards, it’s far more difficult when you aren’t in a great place of health. 

Follow Monique on LinkedIn and check out her podcast, Bridge to U, for discussions on diversity, inclusion, and understanding for black cultures. Also, you can find her book, Intentional Motherhood: Who Said It Would Be Easy?, on Amazon. 

Do you have stories to tell? Connect with Linda to share them. This podcast is produced by TSE Studios. Check out other podcasts by TSE Studios, including this episode’s sponsor, The Sales Evangelist, helping new and struggling sellers close more deals and achieve their sales goals. Subscribe to the IntHERrupt Podcast so you won’t miss a single show. Find us on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, and Stitcher. Audio created by Ryan Rasmussen Productions.