If You Only Listen to One Podcast

Mel Robbins joined by Emma Grede 

Success, in leadership and in life, starts with understanding yourself. Self-awareness is knowing your values, strengths, and blind spots. It's a continuous process: set clear, near-term milestones to measure progress, and seek constructive feedback from trusted mentors who challenge you to grow.

To sharpens decision-making and deepens empathy, it's vital to broaden your perspective by expanding your network and pursuing diverse experiences. While deep expertise is essential, becoming overly protective of your domain can limit collaboration and innovation. True influence stems from how you show up and not always what you know. Your presence, attitude, and openness define your leadership impact.

My daughter shared a podcast that resonated with me and so I look notes mid-flight. Below are key reflections and personal takeaways that I've adapted into my own leadership mindset:

1. Remember your roots – Honor where you come from and the lessons that shaped you
2. Own your accountability – Growth starts when you stop assigning blame and start looking inward
3. Practice the art of letting go – Inspired by Japanese philosophy, accept what is and release what holds you back
4. Protect your energy – Focus on what's within your control; don't dwell on what drains you
5. Pursue your higher self – Surround yourself with people and environments that challenge your growth
6. Take pride in your actions – Lead by example, beginning with self-care and personal wellness
7. Consistency matters – How you do anything is how you do everything; manifestation requires action
8. Redefine perfection – Aim for "your version of good enough" and avoid comparison traps
9. Make decisions boldly – Perfectionism can paralyze so, commit then course-correct as needed
10. Be present and intentional – Your mindset shapes your path, own where you are and where you're going
11. Embrace the Rule of Thirds – Expect a mix of good, bad, and in-between days every day; perspective is power
12. Leadership is earned – Experience builds wisdom and every challenge is part of your leadership journey
13. Be passionately curious – Immerse yourself in your craft; know your domain inside and out
14. Value relationships – Networking is a tool, but authentic connections drive success
15. Seek mentorship – Great leaders don't go it alone; wisdom is often shared, not found in isolation
16. Tell your story well – Craft a compelling narrative with clarity and authenticity to win hearts and minds
17. Back confidence with knowledge – Deep understanding of your field and markets builds credibility
18. Embrace feedback – Listening and acting on input is a mark of maturity and resilience
19. Adopt innovation early – Leveraging AI and emerging tools isn't optional, it's progress
20. Stay grounded in self-awareness – Adapt with purpose, stay true to your values, and lead with intent

Every journey is both personal and professional. The key is balancing ambition with reflection and knowing when to push forward, when to pause, and how to grow with clarity and conviction.

Life's a journey, not a direct flight — growth happens between takeoff and landing. So keep flying, learning, and adjusting your course along the way.

2025 Leadership Summit

AAA Leadership Summit was an extraordinary event organized by our L&D team, featuring impactful keynotes from board members, officer-led speakers, and associate-driven presentations. The sessions sparked reflection, inspiration, and provided valuable networking opportunities across all levels of the organization.

One lead with laughter, highlighting how humor , when used appropriately, can demonstrate confidence, build rapport, and increase engagement. Storytelling techniques such as the "rule of three" (premise, point of view, and the twist) were emphasized as powerful tools for communication. For example: I asked for a coffee, a donut, and a raise. The rhythm and structure reinforce memorability and impact.

If humor isn't your strength, the question becomes, what is your superpower? When identified and consistently applied, it enables you to articulate your value, sharpen your focus, and build trust and influence. Coupled with other key leadership practices, these insights can make you indispensable within your organization:

• Pursue an organization that motivates you and aligns with your core interests
• Ensure the culture you operate in reflects your beliefs, as misalignment can limit your potential.
• Set realistic short-term goals to build momentum through progress and achievements.
• Recognize the power of networking as it should always remain top of mind.
• Learn from setbacks by recovering quickly, comfort in asking for help, and applying lessons learned.
• Know when to stay and make an impact, and when it's time to seek other opportunities that better fit your passions and values.
• Be confident even when it feels uncomfortable, as discomfort drives growth.
• Surround yourself with leaders who both challenge and support you on your journey.
• Establish boundaries to balance organizational demands with personal well-being.
• Lead with intention as authentic leadership inspires and sustains long-term success.

No summit these days would be complete without a discussion on AI. Its promise is no longer theoretical. The value is emerging now through company-approved platforms such as Microsoft Copilot or enterprise-class OpenAI licenses. AI can deliver actionable insights, drive automation, spark innovation, and improve efficiency. When aligned with business strategy, clearly defined objectives, and targeted use cases, AI transforms from concept to tangible results with measurable business impact. With this opportunity comes responsibility. AI without guardrails risks inconsistency, hallucinations, and ethical challenges.

Ask AI to generate your professional bio, then evaluate the accuracy of the output. This illustrates both its potential and the critical need for oversight.

Blending collaboration, innovation, and community impact, the Summit highlighted new ways forward and included a putt-putt activity that raised support for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Orlando.