189. The Power of a Break with Megan Leasher

Unconventional Leadership Podcast

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Could you use a break? What about quitting your job with no backup plan? In this episode, Megan Leasher, an industrial and organizational psychologist, shares her story of how she quit her job without another job lined up. She learned about herself, about routines, and is continuing to learn new things through this break.

Join in the conversation and share your ideas with us!

Find Megan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganleasher/

Quotes from the episode:

• Human behavior is not just behavior at work. It's behavior in your personal life, it's behavior in your volunteering, your parenting, and your friendships. All of those aspects. Predicting futures is about your whole self.
• Because we are bringing our whole selves, we're bringing our fears, our discomfort, our frustrations, our passions, the goods and the bads. Companies, having realized that, with all the data and the research that's out there, I think there's a greater awareness to get first time leaders ready.
• I think companies are really bringing the "human" into first time leadership training. There's a greater awareness in helping first time leaders understand, "Hey, this is what's going to be coming at you and you know what, you're a person too."
• I made a choice last September to leave the job I was in without having another one lined up. I just said, "You know what, I'm going to step aside, I want to take a break. I've never had one of those before. And I'm going to have some rest. I'm gonna see what this space provides." What I didn't know, was how much my leadership would be on a stage by doing that, and by being in this in-between space.
• Is there a scenario where maybe a few months off is okay, maybe things might be a little tighter? What is the gain for your mental health, for your rest, for operating at your best self, embracing your potential, maybe learning something new? Could there be more to gain in those areas that might make some financial tightness worth it?
• In terms of knowing it's time, for me was a lack of fear. I wasn't paralyzed by the idea of having nothing. I was really excited about it. There was a calm with it.
• Another direction I really want to lean into more, is support for first time leaders. So many people, as individual contributors get promoted for the first time to become a leader, a manager, and they have no idea what to expect. They're thrown into it, and maybe a month or so later, they start to get some training. It's kind of the backwards order for me.
• When I think of an unconventional leader, I think of someone who really owns a mistake early and openly.
• A manager told me an email can always be good news. But if it's bad news, pick up the phone or do it face to face. Add the extra level of dignity, integrity, and human connection, if you're sharing something that's not positive. That, that really stuck with me.

Megan's Recommendations:

Book: Presence by Amy Cuddy

Tool: Focus Mate