Hello everyone! In this episode of the Lead with Levity podcast, host Dr. Heather Walker speaks to Ramona Shaw, a certified professional leadership coach, podcast host, and bestselling author. Ramona shares tools, tips, and strategies for new and mid-level managers to become leaders that people love to work for, with a focus on strengthening leadership and communication skills, raising confidence and resilience, and increasing emotional intelligence. She specializes in coaching and training programs for leaders at fast-growing startups and companies, including Twitch, Google, and Dropbox. Ramona was born and raised in Switzerland and now lives and works in the Bay Area.
Here are three key takeaways from this episode:
1. Intentionality is Key to Leadership Success
Dr. Walker shares her experiences in Europe, where a slower, more intentional way of life inspired her to reflect on how leaders can thrive in the workplace. Ramona emphasizes the need for leaders to be intentional about their actions and interactions:
Set weekly intentions: Choose one small, actionable step to foster connection and engagement with your team.
Track your energy and time: Understand your natural rhythms and align tasks accordingly.
2. Leadership in the Remote and Hybrid World
Remote work has presented new challenges for leaders, including maintaining trust, fostering collaboration, and managing engagement. Ramona highlights:
Structured opportunities for connection: Quarterly offsites, virtual office hours, and round-robin Ask Me Anything sessions can help bridge the gap created by remote work.
3. The Mindset Shift from Contributor to Leader
Transitioning into a leadership role requires a redefinition of success:
- Let go of individual performance metrics: Shift your focus to team outcomes and collective success.
- Redefine productivity: Understand that your impact as a leader comes from enabling others rather than completing tasks yourself.
- Recognize your influence: Your mood, behavior, and actions carry weight. Be mindful of how they impact your team.
How to Create a Fun, Safe, and Supportive Work Environment
Ramona shared valuable insights on cultivating a positive workplace:
- Balance vulnerability: Share personal struggles or challenges judiciously, focusing on lessons learned or soliciting team support when appropriate.
- Be mindful of your intent: Ensure that your vulnerability serves a constructive purpose, such as fostering connection or empowering your team.
- Model desired behaviors: As a leader, you set the tone for your team’s culture and interactions.
Practical Leadership Strategies
Ramona recommends trying one small, intentional action each week to grow your leadership toolkit:
- Share a personal story or lesson learned.
- Give a public shout-out to a team member who exemplifies company values.
- Ask team members personal or professional development questions, such as, What’s one thing you’d like to achieve this quarter?
- Host an icebreaker or introduce a team-building activity during a meeting.
About Ramona Shaw
Ramona Shaw is a Certified Professional Leadership Coach, podcast host, and best-selling author of “The Confident & Competent New Manager: How to Rapidly Rise to Success in Your First Leadership Role.”
She is passionate about helping new and mid-level managers become leaders people love to work for by strengthening their leadership and communication skills, raising their confidence and resilience, and increasing their focus and emotional intelligence.
She specializes in delivering coaching and training programs for leaders at fast-growing startups and companies such as Twitch, UBS, Google, Dropbox, Lionsgate, Asana, Stitch Fix, and Sequoia Capital.
www.ramonashaw.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramona-shaw/
