Creating Space… To Stay Anchored & Choose Your Response

Leading With VOICCE® Series.

I honestly didn't know what I would write about today. And then God gave me content and a space for reflection in real time. Won't he do it?

Today I realized you are never done growing as a human and as a leader. I had an incredibly frustrating call with a tax representative just a few minutes ago. We all have triggers. One of mine is a lack of compassion and people who use a condescending tone. Feels like the adult version of laughing and pointing at the kid on the playground who just got tripped. But I digress.

I was trying to work through some frustrating tax issues, and after dialing no less than a dozen phone numbers over the past few weeks, being redirected at least 6 times, and then waiting on hold for what has now added up to hours, I was a bit maxed out on calm. Yet I fought to remain professional and patient. 

Despite my best attempts to communicate clearly, her condescending tone remained. I took several deep breaths and grounded my feet as firmly as I could into the floor beneath me.

After futile attempts to calmly express myself, I relented.

"You know - it's fine. You won't think about me again after this call, and I will move on with the rest of my day. Thank you for your help today."

We completed the necessary transactions. Confirmed the necessary details and ended the call. 

I was so frustrated, yet so proud of myself. There is a version of me that would have raised my voice. There is a version of me that may have said things I later wished I could take back. But this version of me - she remembered who she was, even under pressure. 

And that was the lesson. 

Things will not go our way, often. Yet there is only one thing directly within our control in those moments - how we respond under pressure. 

The internal aggravation buzzed like a low-grade current of electricity in my body. Yet I was so proud of myself. In that moment, I stayed anchored to who I am at my core. To my values, and the version of me that I can be proud of. 

In the future, perhaps the frustration won't maintain its grip on me for so long after the incident. Or, perhaps I'll feel even less triggered by a similar exchange.

But for today, all I want to do is acknowledge how far I have come. We never stop growing as leaders, and as humans. 

The Reflection

• Which moments tend to pull you away from the best version of yourself?

• How do you want to lead when the pressure is on?

• What is one thing you can celebrate about the type of leader you are today?

Authentic leadership doesn't happen all at once. It happens over months, years, and even decades of intentional work. 

What truths arise in you as you reflect on the leader you are today, vs who you were 10 years ago?