Tamara Johnson-Shealey is our next guest. On this episode, she talks about reaching across the aisle and discusses POLITICS, and what it means to her.
Tamara is a former 2022 Candidate for the United States Senate representing Georgia. She also had a huge hand in introducing a Legislative Session to address the impact of Slavery and Jim Crow on Descendants of Chattel Slavery in Georgia.
Tamara is also involved in The Concerned Beauty and Barber Professionals, an advocacy group that addresses the need to protect the health and safety of Licensed Beauty and Barber Professionals and the clients they serve.
Tamara is an amazing role model in her community with a strong work ethic!
You can find Tamara Johnson-Shealey on her website www.tamarashealey.comand on Instagram, Facebook, and Linked in @tamarashealey.
Welcome to the Podcast where we talk all things Money, Sex & Politics as they pertain to women thought leaders, industry disruptors, and business activists.
In this episode, we are talking POLITICS and reaching across the isle.
Don’t worry, we promise to keep it light and bright with f-bombs delightfully placed 🙂
Seriously, it’s mostly comedy & errors with suggestions on how we can maybe, probably do better & asking leaders if they agree!
We know that a women lead world will be better for us ALL; particularly when we look at how the power inherent in Money, Sex & Politics are accessed.
YOUR HOST OF MONEY. SEX. POLITICS PODCAST
Join host Rose Kaz, serial boat burner, humanist & social entrepreneur as she digs into conversations with a variety of female-forward visionaries who actualize their big visions into real-life actions.
These leaders push forward to a world where women are equal to men, underrepresented skin tones find safety, and folks who identify as theys and thems are valued.
JOIN US BACKSTAGE
Our talks here point to the shift we are building digitally to build a better world by doing social media differently. See what are we building behind the curtain, come Backstage, and get involved.
Contact us at SayHiLBI@gmail.com for inquiries and questions. We love to discuss Money, Sex, and Politics!
“ It’s very important, I think for us to stay unified in our mission. Even if we have different copy, we have the very same mission of making a more equal world striving for a more just experience for all humans, not just the lady bosses around us. Although we do know that when we have more women at the helm of roles of leadership, like political office, we often see a better experience for the whole world..” – Tamara Johnson-Shealey
I usually toggle between being super inspired and feeling wildly anxious. This could be just my general make up of optimism when it clashes with realism or maaaaaybe it’s just another manic Monday! In either case, after a full week away from technology and ‘work’, I’ve emerged more inspired by….myself. Can I even say that? Is that selfish, ladyboss? YES! I can say that because a) it’s true and b) we are doing things differently here at LBI!!
I do tend to see the world as very malleable, adventurous even in its challenges and I often maneuver easily into creative solutions whilst simultaneously noticing how chaotic our ‘systems’ can be for those of us women in business who really want to see the world change. And lately, I have even inspired myself in being able to maintain this outlook amidst a lot of setbacks.
If you’re in business for yourself, you know success is not a straight line and can feel downright evasive at times. Another call for finding safe spaces that truly feel collaborative, elevate us as natural leaders and leave us feeling inspired to continue doing business differently. ( Have you been Backstage , yet??) And how can we be inspired outwardly if we aren’t totally inspired by ourselves anyways??
Inspiration can be found everywhere…blah blah blah!!
“Take a look outside your window!’ ‘Stop and smell the flowers!!” – they say.
“Look up from your smartphone and be in the now.” – they also say. And sure, yes all these little life hacks can be great, tiny suggestions to experience the grand world around us as inspiration instead of chaotic. AND I’ve very recently discovered that in order to really remain inspired and not allow for anxiety to take control of the unknowns of my day to day in running an online business that is now emerging again into the real world, I have to slow down tremendously.
The old way of doing business was to grind hard,faster, stronger and longer. To essentially burn ourselves out for the ultimate goal of ….what exactly?
If I am to remain inspired in my life; both personally and professionally, then I want to actually enjoy the process of where and how I spend my time. If I am to be actively engaged in making inspired choices, I need to then take stock in how I spend my energy, with whom and for what purpose.
If the last two years on this planet have taught me anything, it’s that I am a powerful resource for this world and it needs me. AND I also must have this daily inspiration surging through me as I build better ways of doing business with women globally. It’s imperative actually and I implore you to make the same inspired choices for yourself in how you show up to work, in your personal life and shoot, even at the grocery store.
What if each of slowed down just 5% so we could care 5% more about something we want to care about instead of what we think we should care about!?
That week away was good for many reasons and quite honestly somewhat unplanned or rather outside of what I thought our schedule was to be. My inspiration meter was running on fumes and I needed a reset. PERIOD. And here I am reporting back with inspo for myself, our collective platform that supports more badass women to show up in their business authentically so that we can change the world and for the crazy, chaotic world we are living in.
If I don’t tend to my inspiration like a freshly sprouted plant or like one that has outgrown it’s original container, then what kind of garden am I growing? Am I living within?
For the record, in the past I had made some time to stop and smell the flowers but often I am doing that whilst simultaneously replying to a message on Slack, sharing production notes, reviewing a run of show for a huge online event we are hosting or other sort of ‘multi tasking’ hack!! But that’s not being honest to inspiration or fully open to those subtle miracles that happen every minute we are busy grinding. That’s performance inspiration that makes us think we are slowing down but aren’t truly engaging in the stunning world around us.
I am absolutely a work in progress and this bit of slowing down, so that inspiration can find me, is relatively new for me. I’d come from the patriarchy camp of the busier you are, the more inspired you can be, could be, even should be! But now I am actually beginning to see the joys of slow living.
I can still do business with purpose and even swiftly, at times, but I now much prefer the occasion to enjoy my precious time on earth and hopefully serve as inspiration to others as we collaborate, elevate and inspire each other as frequently as possible.
How often are you slowing down to let inspiration find you? Sound off in the comments!
As a women in business, being a leader isn’t something that we can take off and on like a coat. Stepping into leadership requires skills and the ability to operate from a position of service to our community, and is something we do on and off duty. But what makes someone a great leader?
When it comes to leadership, the greats succeed because their skills are engrained in everything they do – from the way they act in public, to the way they act behind closed doors. Women leaders are especially adept at this, as they often have to straddle both worlds – the public and the private – in order to be successful. In leadership roles, it’s essential to be able to adjust your style and strategy depending on the situation. Whether you’re dealing with a difficult employee or trying to close a big deal, the best leaders know how to adapt on the fly and always put their best foot forward.
This isn’t always easy, but it’s what separates the good from the great. When it comes to leadership, great leaders are those who have mastered the following skills:
Conflict Resolution
Problem Solving
Schedule Management
Treating People with Respect
Serving Others
Vision Casting
Authenticity and Self-Awareness
These are just a few of the skills that make leaders great. But there’s one more important skill that all great leaders share, and that’s the ability to lead by example.
Leadership is about more than just having a title or official position. It’s about setting the standard for your community and serving as a role model for others. Women have always been natural leaders, but they haven’t always had the opportunity to showcase their leadership skills. That’s beginning to change, as more women are stepping into leadership roles in all sorts of industries. We are running for office, starting businesses, and making our voices heard. We are proving that leadership is not about gender, it is about character.
As women leaders, we have a responsibility to lead by example. We must be strong, confident and capable, but also compassionate and empathetic. We must be able to put ourselves in other people’s shoes and see the world from their perspective. Only then can we truly serve our community and make a positive impact. When we lead by example, we create and foster an environment where everyone can thrive.
Ready to step into your birthright as a woman who leads? Anyone can become a leader in their community, regardless of their background or experience. All it takes is a little effort and a willingness to step up and take on responsibility.
One way to build leadership skills is to get involved in community organizations (like the LBI Backstage Pass community!) and participate in group activities. This can help you learn how to work with other people and resolve conflicts. Another way to develop leadership skills is to attend workshops and seminars on the subject. There are many resources available online and in libraries. Finally, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and offer your services as a leader. Whether it’s organizing a neighborhood cleanup or starting a petition, every act of leadership makes a difference.
What are some of the leadership skills you have? What makes you a great leader? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Having been a leader of people for more than 24 years now, I can say that to inspire a team means achieving success rather than facing failure. It means creating a culture of engaged and passionate people working to bring your vision to life rather than people just showing up and doing the bare minimum just for a paycheck.
Leaders who inspire create a culture that unifies, empowers and elevates their people, effects positive change within the community they do business and realize a success unparalleled to their competition. And while I know all this to be true now, there was a time when inspiring anyone, including myself was the last thing on my mind.
Stumbling into leadership at the young age of 17, inspiring people was the last thing on my mind when taking on the role of leader. At the time failure was not an option and so it was with this thinking that I found myself leading with an iron fist. Having no real knowledge of how to lead, I held my team and myself accountable for achieving unrealistic expectations and used fear as motivation to get the job done. While I achieved results, it came at a cost. The mental health and well being of myself and the people I led. I created a culture of yes people rather than creative thinkers who were empowered and could propel the business to new heights.
Despite meeting all measurable goals, I knew something had to change. I was tired of being tired all the time. Tired of having a team that I knew feared me and only did as I asked so that they would not lose their job. I was tired of seeing the look into one of my employees eyes and saw fear when they made a mistake, worried they would be reprimanded. Really I was just tired of working with people who I knew had big hearts and amazing stories but who would not share with me because they didn’t trust me.
I knew that in order for things to change, I had to change and because I was tired, that is just what I did.
While it took me more than 10 years to fully move from fear based leading to leading with the lens of empowerment, I eventually became the leader I strived to be and soon found that I was achieving far greater success.
It was my constant pursuit of excellence for both myself and my people, owning my mistakes and sharing key learnings with my teams and constantly learning new ways of leading that created environments where people not only thrived but strived to do the best job they could for the betterment of the whole team and company. Now that’s what I call inspired action.
15 years into leading I became known for building cultures that achieved results through inspired action, inclusion, empowerment, collaboration and compassion, making me highly sought after to take on more challenging leadership roles. I soon found myself in a position that would require me to inspire other leaders to lead through the same lens of compassion and empowerment. Not an easy feat given many of the leaders I would be overseeing were young and just as naïve about leading a team as I was when I first started out.
Having failed so miserably as a young leader, I was determined to see the next generation of leaders do it differently, do it better. Do it inspired. And so it is that I spent the rest of my leadership days, encouraging and nurturing leaders, teaching them to lead by example, listen with their heart as well as their head and to never forget that words can be used to uplift or tear down.
My hope is that each of my leaders always chooses to lift others higher.
Truth be told, I’m not one who struggles with regret. I truly believe that everything happens as it should so that we can learn the lessons meant for us. This said, the years spent leading through fear aren’t my proudest moments. Despite this, I know that I would not be the leader and entrepreneur that I am today had I not stumbled so badly in the beginning of my career.
My failure pushed me to do better, be better and in doing so taught my team to do the same. As I look back on my careers I know it is because of my unwavering commitment to always do it better that affected the most change and taught me to be an inspired leader.
There is no question that women are powerful and can be great leaders. However, many times women don’t take on leadership roles because they feel they aren’t qualified or they don’t feel confident in their abilities. What we need to remember is that when women step up and take on leadership positions, they inspire others to do the same.
Women who lead show other women that it is possible to achieve anything they want, regardless of their gender. Leadership means different things to different people, but one thing is for sure – when women take on leadership roles, the whole world benefits!
This month we’re going to be talking all about how we as women can inspire others, our communities and even ourselves when we step up our leadership game – whether it’s in our business, our community, or even in politics – the wisdom, insight and skills we bring to the table make us uniquely qualified for positions of leadership. Over the next few weeks we’ll explore what it means to be a woman in a position of authority and how to use our voice and platform to make a difference as leaders.
First, we wanted to start this conversation with some insights from our community! We asked the members of the LBI Backstage Pass and other women in business we know what leadership is to them. Here’s what they had to say
As a entrepreneur or business owner, leadership is…
“…when we show up as our authentic self, go against the grain with unwavering fortitude and hold true to our values no matter the cost that we inspire. To lead without conviction is futile. To lead through the lens of passion and love changes the world!”
Authenticity and understanding our own values on a deep level are essential for leadership. When we can hold true to these values and live them out in our lives, we inspire others to do the same.
“…showing up every day and inspiring those around you to do the same.”
Consistency is a key element when it comes to leadership. The ability to inspire others, from the top down, to show up, even when there are challenges or obstacles is definitely one of the hallmarks of a strong leader.
“… about being vulnerable. Leadership is about providing a safe place that nurtures a sense of belonging and where folks feel seen, heard, and respected.”
We couldn’t agree with this more! One of the core ways we lead the community inside the LBI Backstage Pass is by fostering a place of safe belonging, where women from all walks of life can be their most authentic selves and find support and inspiration. This is only possible when we lead from a place of openness, active listening, empathy and kindness.
“…the ability to make others feel important (or empowered).”
We love this definition because it’s absolutely true! One of the things we believe makes up great leadership, especially in a community like ours is active listening. When you actively listen to someone, you not only show them that you care about what they have to say, but you also gain valuable insights into their thoughts and feelings. This makes others feel like they matter and empowers them to do the same for others.
“… the ability to inspire others towards a common goal while simultaneously growing, developing, and empowering yourself. Leaders are always learning, pushing their own limits and upping their game, while they empower others to do the same.”
The greatest leaders lead themselves first! This is so important, because if we’re not actively growing and developing ourselves, then how can we be truly effective leaders? Leaders who are constantly learning and pushing themselves to grow inspire others to do the same.
Women in leadership roles have the ability to inspire other women and girls to take on positions of authority and leadership. What does this mean for our community? When more women step into leadership positions, we can create a ripple effect that inspires others to do the same. We need more female leaders in business, politics, science, and every other field so that future generations can see what is possible when they grow up.
We’ve loved sharing these insights on leadership that inspires from our community. Now it’s your turn! What does leadership mean to you as a woman in business? Let us know in the comments below!
Think about it. We can all clearly distinguish a good leader from a bad. Is it the demands a bad boss makes of our time that places him squarely in the bad leader category? Is it the unmet expectations or is it the promise of a raise and then the letdown of a good review versus a great review? What about a good leader? Is it their willingness to help others grow into leaders that makes them a good leader? Is it their willingness to listen? Perhaps it’s their ability to help you become the person that you want to be? My question to you is, What category do you fall into as a leader?
Several months ago I was blessed to be in a leadership class that altered my perspective on leadership for the better. This class focused on servant leadership and has since become the foundation that I model within my own company.
Principles of Servant Leadership:
“Servant-leadership is all about making the goals clear and then rolling your sleeves up and doing whatever it takes to help people win. In that situation, they don’t work for you, you work for them.”
Ken Blanchard
Servant leadership is the idea that you flip the traditional leadership model on its head. For generations, leaders have been expected to provide guidance, direction and support to their staff, while keeping motivation high. The cornerstone of servant leadership is the emphasis on service. Servant leaders focus on their team, rather than the entire company.
Many believe that focusing on the people in the company helps produce skilled employees who are experts in their field. This focus also helps employees to feel motivated, making it more likely to help improve operations and management.
Servant leadership requires leaders to be ethical in their choices and lead by example. It allows for diversity of thought and encourages all ideas. The final product is often a collaboration of many gifted individuals.
Servant leaders are coaches
Servant leaders are often guided by their personal mission, vision and values. This attracts people who are in alignment with the leader and builds a sense of trust. As a servant leader, you must have a clear understanding that it’s not about you. It never was and it never will be.
Adopting an attitude of “It’s all about us!” creates a safe culture for risk taking. That risk taking leads to out of the box thinking and ultimately to innovative products and ideas.
Servant leaders take on the role of a coach rather than a boss. They don’t boss people around because their people already have the skills and motivation to take on the projects and be successful.
Servant leaders look for Obstructions within a Project, and work to remove them
Research suggests that employees are the most fulfilled when they are making progress in their business. Servant leaders establish daily check- ins with their team, identify blocks and obstacles and then brainstorm with the team ways to remove the blocks and move forward. Essentially, servant leaders work to build their team into leaders.
A great example of a servant leader is George Washington. As the story goes, on a rainy day during the Revolutionary War, George Washington was out riding when he came upon a group of soldiers attempting, without success, to get a huge log beam into position. All the while their commander shouted words of encouragement from atop his horse. After watching for a moment, Washington dismounted, rolled up his sleeves and went to work with the soldiers. When he finished, all wet and tired from the work, he told his soldiers, “If you should need help again, call on Washington, your commander-in-chief, and I will come” (Maxwell, 2011). This story was told from soldier to soldier and many historians believe that this was why his soldiers were so loyal to him and willing to follow him into battle.
Leading from the back to build leaders
Servant leaders build leaders of tomorrow. Service to others is their motto and they work to empower their people to lead. Service leaders are enablers, supporting and guiding rather than dictating and demanding. Servant leaders set guidelines and teach their team to work for the greater good of the company. As a team, servant leaders trust that their team has the skills and expertise to support the project and get it done.
Inspiring Change
Change comes from new ideas. New ideas lead to innovation. Servant leaders inspire change by being open to the new ideas that their team brings to the table through their diversity or experiences and ideas. When leaders focus on inspiring others through service, all the other pieces click into place. What changes can you inspire in your organization?
So, I’ll ask you this, what kind of leader do you aspire to be?
