Shirell Gross 7/13/20 Shirell Gross 7/13/20

Face the real problem

Motivational Monday!

"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced"- James Baldwin

As we settle into another month of uncertainty, it can bring about paralyzing or knee jerk reactions to problems. You may be trying to grab a hold of what the future holds while still trying to tend to your needs, want, and desire. For some companies, it's a recognition they need to change, but don't quite know what to do. As a result, there is a rush to do something. But, in the meantime, they fail to tend to the employees who are patiently waiting for some of that generosity to trickle down their path.

The issue is not wanting to face the real problem. For companies, it's easier to grab external people than to face the hard truth and honest feedback of their employees. Perhaps, it's not wanting to face you have outgrown your role fearing a move in our unstable society.

Change will not happen without hard facts and making tough decisions. The road is bumpy before it is smooth, but the work will clear a path for a better future.

Shirell Gross 6/15/20 Shirell Gross 6/15/20

It's time to Bloom!

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom-Anais-Nin

The fear of the unknown is one of the greatest reasons why we don't change. Whether it's an organization failing to look deeply at their institutional structures that may hinder equitable opportunities for leadership OR as individuals suffering through not living to our potential, the pain will eventually become too great. As humans, we often wait until there's a societal or an internal spiritual uprising to change, much of what we are seeing right now. The pain became too much to bear.

Take time to assess where you are and what changes you need to make in your organization or life to truly blossom. Don't wait until the pain becomes so great and decisions literally become a matter of life or death. When you take a step towards progress, face the unknown you will find that it is not that scary after all. Knowing exactly all the steps forward is a little overrated, you squander the adventures of the journey.

#change #changeleadership #shirellspeaks #courageousleadership #blossom #change

Shirell Gross 5/11/20 Shirell Gross 5/11/20

Stop playing small to make others look big

Motivational Monday!

If you are confident about your strength, you don’t need to show me by putting someone else down, show me how strong you are that you can lift someone else up-President Barack Obama

I was once talking to a friend about why she left her “big” job. I thought she was doing well where she was and her departure surprised me. She told me plain and simple, she was tired of playing small so that others around her can look bigger. I was so proud of her because the moment she made that decision an even bigger and better opportunity came and she is thriving. We often “play” small to make others more comfortable, to be less threatening, and/or to be seen as a team player. While I can not speak to every situation in this blog, you know when you are playing small. You have that nagging sick feeling in your stomach that you brush aside in order to keep the peace.

I know that feeling and I have been guilty of playing small myself to survive. Unfortunately, in doing so subconsciously I accepted the limited thoughts that then soon plagued my brain. Yes, there will be times when you have to politically navigate situations for a greater outcome. However, consistently playing small will not serve you and you will eventually become the role you are playing. A person who requires you to be small will never champion you for greater things. They are insecure and not strong enough to handle your greatness. If this is you, your first step is to gain awareness of when you are playing small and the second step is to take intentional actions to stop playing small. If you need support to seek it, you will be better off and the future leaders need you to show up in your full power.

Photo by Kiana Bosman

Shirell Gross 5/5/20 Shirell Gross 5/5/20

If you gave your power away... go get it back! (Copy)

Take it Back Tuesday!!

Today, it is truly a take it back day. We sometimes get tired, discouraged, or disappointed and that can cause us to live by habit. What happens when we live by habit? We stop making concrete plans, we don’t hold ourselves accountable, and we engage in unhealthy habits. We are productive, get up, go to work, take care of kids, and/other responsibilities, but we don’t give ourselves dedicated time to think about our life.

I appreciate that it is hard being intentional. Why? Intentionality requires we make tough decisions and be in scary places. For some of us, someone and/or circumstances caused us to stop believing in ourselves. or expecting more for our life. Undoubtedly, there are people who do not wish the best for you, and life sometimes knocks you down. But, we remember 2 things-there are more people for you than against you! and life also has a mixture of good and bad times. It is so easy to get into a false mental trap, the mind naturally holds on to negative thoughts. Our minds ruminate over lack and what we are not. But, you must train our brain and take your power back.

So, if you handed your power to another that makes you make you feel like less, go and get it back. If you handed your power to the falsities of your mind, go get it back. Decide today, you will take 10 minutes to sit down every day over the next week and make intentional decisions about your life. Write it down! Find an accountability partner. Don’t be afraid, you have all the courage you need nesting inside.

You don’t become what you want, you become what you believe-Oprah Winfrey

Shirell Gross 5/4/20 Shirell Gross 5/4/20

If you gave your power away... go get it back!