Discovering Strength in our Imperfections
Speaker and author of “Leading Imperfectly,” James Robilotta joins Joyce here on this episode of the podcast where they talked about how to find comfort and strength in imperfections and why leading imperfectly is the key to success.
James is an award-winning recognized professional speaker with a background in stand-up and improv comedy. He is an author, professional speaker, personal coach, and entrepreneur. He speaks to willing and unwilling audiences internationally about authentic leadership and promoting memorability. As a speaker, he is doing the two things he loves the most: causing audiences to think critically about their leadership journeys and making people laugh! His thought-proving talks are infused with self-awareness and comedy stemming from his background as a trained stand-up and improv comedian.
Power of Embracing Imperfections
“I'm not far along enough yet,” “I don't have enough followers,” “I don't have enough sponsors,” there are things that tell us we're not enough. But you've got to figure out a way to start believing in yourself. Confidence is something you can grow, it doesn’t just come up, just keep in motion, no problem has ever been solved through silence and stagnation. (JR)
Finding your Community
A lot of people think that strength is going at it alone, but finding that accountability buddy is a crucial thing to help push someone. And in finding mentors, look for individuals that are like two or three years ahead of his or her age. There is authenticity and vulnerability play in leadership for human beings can't learn things from people who are perfect, but can only learn things from people who are imperfect. Though sometimes, leading with that vulnerability is seen as a weakness, but in fact, it's a huge strength, for it takes courage. (JR)
There are actually a lot of people who want to help out and extend their wisdom and their experiences. Moreover, one of the reasons why vulnerability and authenticity are not celebrated much is because of the social media era we live in now where perfection is blatantly represented everywhere thinking that whatever’s presented to them is the kind of world they should live in. (JP)
“In reality, everybody has a battle that they are trying to win.”
Comparison is the
Thief of Joy
○ We compare ourselves to find excuses for why we haven't done things sometimes. Social media makes it easier to compare, but the thing that we have to remember is that we cannot compare our day one to someone's day 100 in the game. Each one of us is climbing a mountain. (JR)
○ We usually look at the left or the right and the up. We never look at how far we've actually come and the difference between who you were then and now. What you've been able to accomplish actually should be a really great encouragement for anybody who's going through something right now. (JP)
3 Characteristics a Leader Should Possess
1) Relatability
There’s power in moments when there’s a common ground between a leader and the members. Remembering that there’s the need to compromise with each other and a step inside each other’s shoes is a must. (JR)
2) Competence
You have to be good at what you're doing because otherwise, you're being inauthentic. You don't have to have perfected things, to finally call yourself a leader, but displaying some sort of competence is vital in order to be there and to greatly influence to put into use the full potential of others. (JR)
3) Having a Vision
Leaders got to know where they are going now, and so if you have a clearer vision, it's easier to sell people on it to get more individuals behind you. And you can start to delegate to other individuals who also see the vision and know that they're going to get the work done. (JR)
“Recognize that you don’t have everything figured out. And that’s okay, because you’re not supposed to.”
From Episode 63 of Adulting with Joyce Pring: “THE STRENGTH IN OUR IMPERFECTIONS FT. JAMES ROBILOTTA”
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Adulting With Joyce Pring is the How-To’s of your 20’s told by a 20-something, traversing through life expectantly and with gusto!
Episode summary by Chiara
Soli Deo Gloria!