Dear “Younger Self,” – How to Reframe Negative Outcomes from being Labeled as “Mistakes,” to the Experiences that Make Us Better Leaders and Better People
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What if you could go back in time, to the early part of your career, and talk with your 'younger self?' What would you say? What advice would you give, and how transparent would you be with the ups and downs you experienced to get you where you are today? As HR Professionals we all know that this type of self-reflection is an important component of being an effective leader. But how many times do we intentionally share our stories of adversity, and subsequently how we grew from them, with those around us? 'Dear Younger Self', is one woman's journey as she:
- Left a company she's been at for 18 years.
- Joined a new, predominantly male-dominated organization, with a well-established Leadership Team.
- Found out that most of the employees (including some of the leadership), viewed the role of HR, as a villain.
- Faced numerous challenges.
- And in the end, learned some incredibly valuable lessons in leadership and life.
Learning Objectives:
- Expansion of self-awareness regarding adversity in the listener's own career and how they responded to difficult situations.
- Recognizing the importance of key leadership and development skills.
- Identifying and leveraging your strengths as they relate to your role and what you were hired to do in your organization.
- Never shying away from saying the things that need to be said.The importance of gaining buy-in when going through organizational change.
- Making decisions based on what we know, not how we feel.
- The power of vulnerability.
- Examining why, so often, we associate 'mistakes' as a negative experience vs. an opportunity for growth.
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Julie Wright

With over 20 years of experience in Leadership and Human Resources, Julie is in constant pursuit of creating cultures where people love to come to work. Essential to this is a commitment to ensure that team members feel valued, that their feedback and ideas matter and that the work they do has a purpose.
Focused on people development, Julie leverages her ability to connect with those around her to understand their "why,” and ties their outcomes back to what’s most important. This results in teams that are highly engaged, that have a strong sense of ownership in the work that they do, and a desire to share in the success of the organization overall.
As a frequent speaker/panelist/podcaster regarding topics such as professional and personal development, leadership, culture, and engagement, Julie shares relatable stories and ideas that are actionable, inspiring others to do the same.
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