FWM: You are known as the woman who “Grows Leaders for a Living.” Tell us about your work as a Leadership Development Consultant.
Over twenty years ago, when I was working in my first “Big Girl” job after college, executives would refer people to me for advice. They’d ask me how I got into the departments or career paths that I did. Or they’d need advice on how to speak up in meetings or deal with conflicts with their teams or supervisors. I would share leadership tips and stories in the courses I trained. I had no idea that I was coaching and mentoring others until someone told me that it was a profession. I realized that all of my support was leadership development related. I’ve always been answering the call to help others be the best in what they aspire to do. I enjoy helping others manage their lives better so they can be the best leaders they possibly can. I believe it’s my life’s purpose to motivate and inspire others to take action and live their best lives as leaders in their personal and professional lives. I do this by providing engaging and motivational leadership development solutions at Crawford Leadership Strategies through executive coaching, leadership development training, and transformational speaking.
FWM: What makes a good leader?
There’s this amazing quote that really spoke to me about good leadership. Lao Tzu said “Knowing others is knowledge, knowing yourself is wisdom.” As a good leader, you have to have the mindset of doing both. Understanding your team, what makes them tick, what motivates them and what are their career goals. Listening more than talking. Setting the intention of collaboration and support when interacting with your team and with others like your clients, etc. is a great way to leadership success. I’ve also learned that the more you understand yourself – the more you can help others. Self-awareness and Self Regulation are two key elements of emotional intelligence that we need to practice on a regular basis as leaders. Not only to understand that you will experience a range of emotions and reactions throughout your day but what to do with them when they show up. Good leadership is about being authentic in your approach, accountability, and transparency. It’s also about using your voice to raise awareness, ideas and speaking up for those that need to be heard. I learned through the years that good leadership isn’t about you- it’s about the legacy you leave behind.
FWM: Share your best advice you would give to other women looking to excel as a leader in 2020.
I am a survivor of work burnout. Notice I didn’t say victim. Life is made up of choices and as leaders in our lives and at work- being a victim doesn’t serve us. I experienced work burnout because I made choices that didn’t honor my boundaries. I don’t want to see others learn the lessons I did the hard way. Don’t get so busy being all things to all people that you forget yourself in the process. Listen to your body. Say NO. Take care of yourself. Self Care isn’t all about bonbons and bubble baths it’s about active rest, taking breaks, going to regular doctor’s visits, asking for help, forgiving yourself for not being perfect and learning from each mistake. Do what brings you joy. Don’t let that go. Your soul will thank you for it.
“I learned to embrace the skills and talents I’ve developed over the years. I celebrate the passion I have about leadership development and share that passion with others. I am no longer hiding my light under a bushel.”
FWM: Where do you get your inspiration from?
It’s going to sound cliché but I’ve gotten my inspiration by the village that supported me all of my life. My mother, my aunts, sisters, cousins, girlfriends and female mentors. They were all pushing me into things that stretched me to get out of my comfort zone. They encouraged me to use my voice to be heard, explore different avenues and step into my feminine leadership power. It’s my mission to serve others by being that same supportive feminine leadership force for other women as well.
FWM: How important is collaboration to your work?
Being a solopreneur can be very lonely and creatively stunting. You may get too close to a thought, process or idea that you can’t see all of the different viewpoints present. I wholeheartedly believe that collaboration is where some of the best magic comes from. It gives you a fresh perspective and in the moment feedback. I like to collaborate with those who are just driven to assist leaders to be more successful in life. I also like to collaborate with folks with experience in different industries because groupthink is less likely to happen. But it’s important to remember that the collaboration needs to have a shared value or goal. I also believe in giving credit where credit is due and respecting the other’s intellectual property. That’s extremely important in collaboration. I work from my home office. Co-working on a regular basis is a great way to get the collaboration juices flowing. And it can be done virtually too.
FWM: Share a story of how your leadership has changed a person’s life.
I was coaching a client that was looking to take the lead in her career and make a pivot. We only had 2 coaching sessions. She was hesitant to make any changes because fear was immobilizing her taking any action in her career. We worked on self-acceptance, ways to embrace all of the amazing skills and talents she had to offer. We covered a lot in a little bit of time we had together. I always ask clients to stay in touch and keep me posted on their progress. I’ll write check-in emails but most get busy with life and their career. Last year (two years after those coaching sessions) this client wrote to me with an update on her progress. She decided to take a huge leap and relocated to the other side of the country to take a job that got her foot in the door within her desired career field of Human Resources. Within a month she was promoted from Executive Assistant, to HR Coordinator. And within a year, she was promoted the HR Manager at that office by age 27. She shared that through our sessions she learned not to be so hard on herself and to celebrate the strengths that she possessed. The tools and exercises that we did during those sessions helped her step into her power and create her desired career she’s always imagined. It felt so validating to read about my client’s continued success and hear the confidence exuding from her letter. I love the ability to do what I love for a living and help others realize their dreams.
FWM: You have facilitated leadership and development courses and you have been a keynote speaker for the U.S. Senate, The New York Times, ESPN, NYC Mayor’s Office, DC Housing Authority. What have you learned about yourself during this time?
I learned to embrace the skills and talents I’ve developed over the years. I celebrate the passion I have about leadership development and share that passion with others. I am no longer hiding my light under a bushel. I’ve also learned to openly receive the feedback that I’m an engaging speaker. I’m constantly practicing what I teach to leaders which is understanding that feedback is a gift. You can take it, leave it or regift it. I’ve learned that I need to remember that feedback is something that I can use to learn and grow. Using feedback to beat myself up doesn’t serve anyone. So I’m learning to let it GO and let myself GROW. I’ve also learned to celebrate and give gratitude for the small and large accomplishments of my day. I have an alarm that goes off at 7 PM each day that asks “What are you celebrating today?” Sometimes I celebrate something earlier in the day and add it to the journal before it’s 7 PM. Celebration keeps the fires of your intentions burning bright. It also helps remind you of how awesome you are and what you’ve accomplished. It’s great self care and self-awareness practice. This interview is already noted in my daily celebration. 😉
FWM: You are the Host of a television show called “Career View Mirror” which airs on RVNTV. Why do people tune into your show?
I’m really proud of my show which I started on YouTube back in 2015. People tune into my show because it’s an informational interview in the comfort of their own homes or phones. Viewers like hearing about others’ career paths, lessons learned and the journey that got them to where they are now. I think viewers who would enjoy it the most would be career-ready individuals who may be ready enter the working world for the first time, mid-career folks that are interested in exploring other paths and those who are looking for a bit of inspiration as they face challenges in their career or leadership roles.
FWM: Do you have any additional thoughts?
You don’t have to be a people manager to be a leader. You can start today. Don’t wait for the title change. Live in your leadership. Don’t stop now! The world needs you.
Website: https://www.clsnext.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyelcrawford
Twitter: https://twitter.com/clsnextcoach
Instagram: @joyelcrawford
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrawfordLeadershipStrategiesLLC
