ISSUE 29
22 JANUARY 2025 | READ ONLINE
Hi Reader,
Have you ever felt like you’re navigating a crowded intersection without knowing which light to follow? Like the signals are confusing, and every turn feels like a risk or a missed opportunity?
Leadership and life often mirror the flow of traffic. There are green lights inviting you to move forward, yellow ones signaling caution, and red lights demanding a pause.
The key isn’t just to move, but to know when to accelerate, when to slow down, and when to stop entirely. Resist this rhythm, and you’ll burn out or stall in frustration. Align with it, and even the most complex journeys start to feel purposeful.
When I look back, my most significant career shifts came when I stopped rushing through the yellow lights or waiting too long at the reds. I learned to embrace the signals and adjust my speed to the journey.
Let’s unpack these traffic signals and what they teach us about purpose-driven leadership:
Green Light: Embrace Momentum
Green lights are thrilling. They’re the moments when everything aligns, and progress feels effortless. It’s tempting to speed through, but even green lights require intention.
In leadership, green lights are about leaning into opportunities. Taking on that new project, saying yes to a challenge, or stepping into a role that excites (and scares) you.
The lesson? Move with purpose. Momentum is powerful, but it’s not infinite. Use this time to build systems and strengthen relationships that will sustain you through the inevitable red lights ahead.
Yellow Light: Proceed with Intention
Yellow lights aren’t just warnings. They’re invitations to reflect. Do you need to slow down, reassess, or prepare for what’s next?
In leadership, yellow lights often appear during transitions. Maybe your team is struggling, or a project isn’t unfolding as planned. This is the time to ask tough questions, recalibrate, and prioritize what truly matters.
The lesson? Don’t fear caution, because it’s where clarity and focus are born.
Red Light: Pause and Reflect
Red lights often feel like obstacles, but they’re actually opportunities to reset. This is when you step back, breathe, and take stock of the road ahead.
In leadership, red lights show up as moments of stillness: a sabbatical, the end of a role, or even burnout. It’s tempting to see these as failures, but they’re vital. Red lights teach you to let go of what no longer serves you and to make space for fresh possibilities.
The lesson? Rest is productive. Use it to regain your energy and refine your vision.
Why This Matters for Purpose-Driven Leaders
The best leaders don’t force their way through every light. They recognize the signals and align their actions with the flow.
Think about where you are now. Are you racing through greens, hesitating at yellows, or frustrated by reds? Instead of resisting, embrace the signal. Purposeful leadership isn’t about speed. It’s about navigating with intention and alignment.
This Week’s Reflections
Here’s what I’ve been writing about this week on LinkedIn:
💡 “Being an Inventor”: I wrote about how I’m a listed inventor on a patent, and how safety isn’t just about compliance, but innovation. Do you agree? Add a like or a comment on the article, here.
💡 “People Overcomplicate Career Clarity”: I encouraged purpose-driven leaders to think about 10 things that you really, really want to do (did I say really?). Read it here.
💡 The World Economic Forum released their 2025 Global Risk Report. One comment I loved was that we need to think about what we will do, rather than only the risks. I adore that sentiment. Here’s the link to the article and report.
Books I’m Enjoying Right Now
It’s been a bit of a slow week in the book-reading department, as I’m in full-on book-writing mode! But here are two that I loaded onto my Kindle last week.
🌟 “People. Process. Profit.” by Lori Polep: I was looking for more insights about the concept of “people over profit” and came across this interesting read.
🌟 “Don’t Believe Everything You Think” by Joseph Nguyen: I’m a massive over-thinker, so reading a book like this helps put everything in perspective.
Your Turn
What signal are you at right now, and how are you responding to it? Here’s to leading with purpose, one signal at a time.
– Megan
P.S. If you’re ready to align your career with your values and create a purpose-driven path, join my group coaching program starting February 3, 2025.
It’s 4 weeks of transformation, complete with access to the Design Your Brilliant Future course and community, private podcasts, videos, scripts, templates, and so much more.
Use code EARLYBIRD50 to save $50. Learn more here.
Book a coaching call
Book a speaking engagement
Book me as a podcast guest
|
