Carla D. Bailey - Professional Speaker, Leadership Coach, and Consultant

Divine Connection…

When you think of some of the most transformational and influential leadership books and principles of all times, you cannot help but think of the name Covey. Perhaps, you have read a few the books authored under the Covey brand such as The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The Speed of Trust, and Trust and Inspire… Or maybe you have attended a Covey leadership development program.

During a recent business trip, I had the pleasure of meeting and investing some time with Stephen M. R. Covey. We had such inspiring discussion and invigorating time swapping leadership principles.

Many of you know, for years I have been speaking on and helping others to unleashing their inner greatness and be unstoppable in business, leadership, and life. Stephen asked me what was the why behind my speaking on a leadership philosophy rooted in unleashing greatness. He and I connected on our views and values regarding unleashing greatness in others and the leadership principles within his latest book, Trust and Inspire. It is refreshing to talk to a leader who is equally passion about teaching leaders to lead from a place of inspiration, not domination.

At the end of our discussion, we snapped this photo. However, before I could walk away Stephen said to me, I want to do something for you. When you finish writing your book, I want you to reach out to me because I want to personally endorse your book. I was shocked and grateful by his generous offer. Stephen M. R. Covey again, many thanks for your kind endorsement offer. I will definitely be reaching out soon to take you up on this offer.

After years of referencing the Covey leadership books and principles in my leadership coaching and speaking, it will be an honor to have Covey endorsement of my book. To an author, this is huge because Covey is one of the most influential names in the leadership world! Yep, it's a divine connection.

So, stay tuned! The book is in progress. This year, I have been intentionally investing lots of time in writing this book.

Happy International Women's Day!

I am pausing to honor and appreciate all the incredible women I get to inspire through my life's passion and who inspire me; you are all the epitome of grace and power!

The power of women to make the World and everything in it better is undeniable!

If there is a woman who has influenced and inspired you to be fearlessly bold, let her know! Don't withhold—express your gratitude!

I hope you take a moment to celebrate every woman you encounter today, whether by complimenting her, writing a note, texting, calling, or performing any act of kindness to let her know she is a phenomenal woman!

One of our superpowers as women is standing together as strong and confident women who understand the value of connecting, collaborating, and celebrating one another. We are an unstoppable force bringing about continuous positive change in the World!

To all my fellow women in leadership, your contributions to the World matter! Keep growing, evolving, becoming better, and inspiring other women to do the same!

The World is better because women are in it!

It's Valentine's Day! Let's talk about love!

Often, when it comes to love, we associate it with romantic relationships. However, love can be related to all relationships.

As leaders, we are in the business of building relationships. Through relationships, leaders get things done, accomplish goals, and achieve great success.

Even in leadership, love matters. Leading with love is about caring for others, empowering others, and creating a healthy culture of support, empathy, and trust.

The best leaders lead not only with their HEADS but also with their HEARTS!

Leaders who lead with their hearts are exceptional at making people feel special, valued, and appreciated.

As leaders, people don't care how much we know until they know how much we care!

Ask yourself, as a leader:

1) Am I balancing the art of leading with my head and heart?

2) Do I demonstrate love in how I lead by caring for others and creating a culture of support, value, and trust?

3) Does my leadership reflect that I love position, power, or people?

#

Take a chance.

Every day, we get a chance to do something different, try something new, to become better, and to achieve more! But what good is a chance if we never take it?

It is not the chances that we take in life that we regret, it is the chances that we do not take that we end up regretting!

Great leaders understand the power of taking a chance. They know that taking advantage of opportunities is how they learn, grow, and experience better outcomes in business and in life.

Yes, there is a cost to taking a chance. However, there is a greater cost for not taking a chance. I get it, taking a chance is uncomfortable, but staying comfortable inside your comfort zone will never result in new learning and growth.

You owe it to yourself to stop living small, stop playing it safe, and start daring to take a chance.

It is time you shoot your shot!

Coaching Reflection: Ask yourself:

1. What am I allowing to hinder me from taking a chance?

2. Is the fear of failure or the unpredictable outcome preventing me from taking a chance?

3. How can I dare myself to step out and take the chance?

4. What might be the possibilities, success, or rewards from taking a chance?

Greatness is not something reserved for a select few. On the contrary, it is in all of us!

However, while greatness is something we all have, our greatness is not all the same. What is inside each of us is uniquely different.

Different intentionally, not accidentally! Stop underestimating and diminishing the value you bring because it is different. Though different, by no means, is it inferior to, or less valuable, less impactful, less influential, or less powerful than another. The greatness inside of you is second to none!

There is no reason to walk into the room, sit at the table, and shrink, acting as if you do not belong. It is time to eliminate the stinking thinking that the value everyone else in the room brings is more significant than what you have. When in fact, the room is better because you are there!

Not only are you good enough, you are more than enough! You belong in the room and at the table. You are there because you have value to add and something unique to contribute that only you can bring to the space.

Make 2023 the year you shift to the right mindset eliminating every ounce of self-doubt and standing fully in the confidence of your inner greatness and the value it adds.

Commit to courageously walking into every room this year with your head up, and shoulders squared, ready to boldly unleash your unique inner greatness, entirely self-assured of your value.

Let this be the year you show up, sit up, and speak up, ready to add your unique value to the diversity of greatness in the room and at the table.

Your inner greatness is a light! Let your light shine. Do not let anyone dim your light! ...and never dim your own light!

Your greatness is needed to serve others and bring value and change to the world!

Walking into 2023 with my two favorite companions, GRACE and MERCY following me!

Merriest Christmas to you and your families!

Wishing you all love, joy, and peace always.

Love on and enjoy your families this holiday season!

My "One Word" to summarize everything about 2022 is GRATEFUL! Truly, I am grateful for IT ALL, the blessings and the lessons. Through it all, God has been more than amazing.

Thankfulness keeps the sun shining in every season of your life.

Wishing you and your beautiful families the very Happiest Thanksgiving!

Unleash your gratitude today!

Share what you are grateful for by leaving a comment.

You can only get a return in places you have invested.

Investing in people is a wise leadership strategy equally crucial to achieving expectations, goals, and objectives.

Often, some leaders place too much emphasis on achieving expectations, goals, and objectives and need more focus on investing in people.

When leaders invest in building the people, then in return, the people will build the business.

Great leaders invest in giving their best to others by serving and supporting them to understand what others need to give their best.

The best leaders understand that getting the best from others starts with giving excellence to others. Therefore, they invest time in building great relationships, making others feel they matter, and appreciated.

People will do more than expected when they know their leaders care and feel valued.

Invest excellence in people, and your return on investment will be worthwhile as a leader.

Be of good cheer!

That is what I prayed for each of you today, this week, this month, and always! No matter what this world may be bring, be confident that we overcome them all.

Keep smiling and be of good cheer, you have the victory!

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

You do not have to be perfect to be powerful!

The best leaders are not consumed with being perfect but are concerned with being better.

Leaders have to distinguish the difference between being perfect and being better. Striving to be perfect keeps you stuck at the same level. Seeking to be better keeps you progressing forward to new levels.

Being a perfect leader is impossible, but being a better leader is possible.

Aim to be better, not perfect, and you will be an impactful leader!

Excited to share that our book, Growth, has now become a #1 International Bestseller! (In less than 24 hours!)

In fact, it has reached Best Selling Status in 5 countries: The , , , , and the . For a total of 46 Best Selling Categories with 13 of them ranking #1!

Thank you for your all of your support and help in making this possible. In celebration of this exciting news, we are extending the special rate of $1.99 USD through the end of today...so if you haven't gotten your copy yet, you still can at this special rate.

Please see the country links listed below to get your copy and share out.

US: https://lnkd.in/e6Hn3JyA
Canada: https://lnkd.in/evPyYhxT
Germany: https://lnkd.in/edBx6XXx
UK: https://lnkd.in/e9SqmqZK
Italy: https://lnkd.in/eVW7rQ_W
France: https://lnkd.in/er-quDgP
India: https://lnkd.in/evAbTYD9
Mexico: https://lnkd.in/ekd-xpQB
Spain: https://lnkd.in/e9UqZctw
Brazil: https://lnkd.in/e4RBpJWJ
Netherlands: https://lnkd.in/exxaNG4U
Japan: https://lnkd.in/erMPi24M



Jennifer McDonnell Bardot, MS, MA Cathy L. Davis Maria Rodgers O'Rourke

TODAY IS LAUNCH DAY for our book GROWTH!

I am excited to share that our new book, “Growth-Deconstructing GRIT Collection” is now available on Amazon for just $1.99 USD for the next 24-48 hours! {We are offering this special rate in honor of the book’s release}

A bit of a bonus - all proceeds from today's launch will support the mission of the American Heart Association.

You don’t have to have a Kindle device to be able to read the digital version. You just need an Amazon account, to be able to connect with the internet, and then you’ll be able to download, enjoy and read the book. Paperback copies will become available in a few weeks so stay tuned, and message me if you are interested in getting a printed version.

Follow the link below to order your copy! Happy reading!

https://lnkd.in/eT9HPKDP

Many thanks in advance for your support!

Please feel freee to share this out to your network!

Jennifer McDonnell

When you are in the process of writing your own book, but you get asked to be a Co-author of a very special collaboration. (This is a teaser of what's to come in my book.)

I’m so excited!!! Our book: “Growth” is going to be released August 2nd. During the first 24-48 hours of the launch, we will be offering it for a super special rate…so mark the date on your calendar and watch for my posts with the link to get this special rate! In celebration of this release, I wanted to share what this amazing book is about.

Over 40 women share their inspiring stories of stepping into courage, leading from the heart, and personal evolution.

**Remember, watch for my posts on Tuesday, August 2nd to be able to purchase this book for only $1.99 USD!!!** (Send me a note if you want me to add you to my private reminder list on the day of the launch!)

Grow with us!

Jennifer McDonnell Bardot, MS, MA, Rebecca Hall Gruyter, Cathy L. Davis, Shannon Norman, MBA, SHRM-SCP, PCC

The purpose of your mistakes is not to beat yourself up or make you give up, but to help you grow up!

Mistakes are to help you grow and become better!

When you make a mistake, what you choose to do afterwards is vitally important. You can either choose to linger on the mistake by rehearsing it over and over or you can unpack the lesson from the mistake and begin applying the learning going forward.

When you focus on the mistake you keep regretting, when you focus on the lesson, you start growing.

The value of mistakes is always hidden in the lesson. The lesson is the key to unlocking your growth and doing better in the future.

However, mistakes are not automatic learning opportunities. Just because you make a mistake, does not mean you have learned anything. You have to intentionally turn your mistakes into learning opportunities by pausing, reflecting, and unpacking the lessons. If you do not, then you forfeit the learning.

Make your mistakes count! Embrace every mistake with anticipation of a great lesson you must unpack and apply.

The next time you make a mistake ask yourself these two simple questions:

1) What did not go so well and why?
2) What do I need to do differently next
time and how?

Let your mistakes be the reason you learn, not the reason you let go!

Some things really are once in a lifetime!

If you do not seize the moment, the moment will cease to exist!

You have to be brave enough to take every chance you get.

A part of a life well-lived includes taking chances.

Life is more exciting when you are taking chances, growing, and doing more of what you were meant to do in the world.

I refuse to live an unlived life!

I will not let one chance given to me in life pass me up or pass me by simply because I was not brave enough to take the chance.

I am taking every chance I get!

No exceptions. No excuses! No fear!

What about you? Will you be brave enough to take every chance you get?

People matter!

As leaders, it does not matter to others how much we know until we first let others know how much they matter!

Great leaders do not waste their time trying to impress others with how much they know, they wisely invest their time inspiring others through how much they care.

An essential skill of an effective leader is relationship-building. Leaders have to invest the time and effort in first connecting with people as human beings rather than simply by the titles others hold. The best leaders understand the value of connecting with others' hearts before asking others for a hand.

Unfortunately, many leaders make the mistakes of focusing too much on what they need from others and not enough on letting others know they matter.

Leaders want others to meet expectations, but care and connection are the secret ingredients to inspiring others to achieve great results.

Never underestimate the power of letting others know they matter! When others know how much they matter, you will get results and outcomes that matter!

People Matter....and nothing matters more than letting them know.

Coaching Reflection: (Ask yourself)

1) Am I leading in a way that makes people feel that they matter?

2) If I were to ask others do I make them feel as if they matter, would their feedback align with mine?

3) What actions or behaviors might I need to shift to become more effective in this area?

4) What is ONE intentional thing I will do today and/or this week to let others know they matter?


#

I wish I could say it the way I feel it, God is more than amazing to me! His favor is unmatched! So grateful to know Him! Oh, how I love Him...

Stay tuned more to share later....

God family people

Great leaders help others be great too!

The best leaders understand the importance of meeting others where they are. However, they will not leave others where they are.

Leadership is about influence and transformation. The best leaders help others to learn, grow, and become better.

Great leaders can recognize untapped potential within others often they do not see in themselves. They have the ability to help others believe they can succeed and are committed to helping them do so.

The best leaders help you bridge the gap between your present self and your future self to become your best self!

They seek to bring out the best in others...

The best leaders have a way of inspiring others to want to know more, do more, and become more.

#

Other people's greatness is admirable. However, there is greatness within you that is just as amazing!

When you know the value of your greatness, you will not be intimidated by the greatness of others.

Know that your greatness is second to none!

Always be inspired, Never be intimidated!!!

I know it feels weird, awkard, strange, and even a bit scary, but that is precisely how it should feel being out of your comfort zone. Trust me, these are perfectly normal feelings when you are in uncharted waters.

Do not be intimidated by the feelings of the unknown. Resist the urge to run back to your comfort zone! Sure it is comfort and stability there, but it is no GROWTH there!

As you step out of your comfort zone, the uncertainty makes things feel complicated, but this is where leadership comes in, this is where YOU come in! Anchor down and be a courageous leader, commit to staying out of your comfort zone, and stay focused!

Instead of focusing on the unknown of the process, stay focused on the results-the results you desire to achieve and the growth and benefits you will gain from staying outside of your comfort zone.

The comfort zone is no place for Courageous and Committed leaders like you!!

Ask yourself:

Am I going to be comfortable? Or Am I going to be courageous and committed?

You can be a confident and competent leader without having all the answers.

Great leaders understand they do not need to know the answers; they need to know the questions to inspire the answers.

Instead of being a leader who falls prey to the pressures of having all the answers, focus on preparing yourself by learning how to get good at asking great questions.

As a leaders, when you practice the skill of asking great questions, you invite others on the journey to help you uncover the right answers, best outcomes, and excellent decision-making.

CRAZY RIDICULOUSLY WILDLY blessed simply sums it all up as I reflect on my now 49 years of life! God has been more than amazing to me! Not only has he kept me alive, but he has kept me in every sense of the way... I am blown away by how He deeply loves me with an everlasting and unconditional love despite my flaws! I am grateful for the growth, mistakes, lessons, transformation, and achievements God has graced me to experience spiritually, personally, and professionally over the years. It's been a beautifully imperfect journey that was perfectly designed by God uniquely for me! But wait, He is not done with me yet! There is still more greatness down within me that He is requiring me to unleash! I expectantly look forward to how He will use me to unleash more and be unstoppable in the kingdom, in the earth, in business, and in life in the years to come...

In the words of Marvin Sapp's song, I thank you for it all...

Don't shy away from doing the hard things! Develop a habit of running towards the hard things!

Some people avoid doing hard things because they do not like them. You don't have to like hard things in order to do them..

To avoid doing hard things is to deny yourself of the rewards, the growth, the achievements, and the transformation that only come from doing difficult things.

Even if you don't like doing them, you are more than capable of doing the hard things!

Reflection: ( Ask yourself)

1) What hard things am I avoiding because I do not like them?

2) What achievements, learning, growth, and transformation am I denying myself of by not doing the hard things?

3) How can I push myself to do more of the hard things?

The gap between What You Desire and What You Achieve is consistency.

Wise leaders understand that consistency is not an option. They do not allow their feelings to dictate their consistency. Regardless of how they feel, they remain consistent.

In order to close the gap between what you desire and what you achieve will require CONSISTENCY in your DAILY ACTIONS.

The key to achieving is rooted in your consistency!

You can achieve it, if you stay consistent!

Leave a comment and let us know if consistency is not an option for you!

If"...It's only two letters, but it's such a loaded little word..

"If" will make you pause, ponder, and procrastinate, if you are not careful!

If I had waited until:
- I had no fear
- I had felt the timing was exaclty right
- I had everything perfectly all together
- I had acquired all the knowledge and skills
- I had the whole plan completley figured out

I would have never started....

If I had waited until:
- Others believed that I could
- Others agreed that I should
- Others thought that I was ready
- Others gave me their applause
- Others provided their support
- Others shared their resources/connections
- Others cheered me on and celebrated me

I would have never started...

If I waited until...Then I would have never started, never pursued my dreams and goals never accomplished all that I have, never learned all that I have learned, never grew as much as I have grown, and never been where I am today.

Don't wait until...Step out and do it while you are still trying to figuring it all out; still trying to get it all together, still scared, still planning, still learning and growing..

Do it even if no one believes you can, thinks you should, applauds you, supports you, promotes, or celebrates you...

Be mindful of your "Ifs"....because how you handle them will have a profound impact upon your life...

IF - A little word that has such a BIG impact!

Reflection: (Ask Yourself)

1. What are the "Ifs" in my life that I need to become more aware of? How are these "Ifs" showing up in my life?

2. Am I allowing these "Ifs" to cause me to pause, ponder, and procrastinate?

3. How can I be more mindful to employ the "Ifs" in my life from a place of power imaging positive possibillities and not from a place of weakness evoking fear of negative outcomes?

Unstoppable women in leadership..

I am one. You are one. We are all one..

To all of you, my fellow unstoppable women around the world, I honor each of you on this International Women's day.

I see you out here fiercely leading; leading your organizations; leading your businesses; leading your careers; leading your academics; leading your communities; leading your ministries; leading your families; leading your lives...

To the incredible women in my family, in my network, in my circle and my friends, I am blessed to know you and grateful for you. I am inspired by you incredible women everyday! I celebrated all that you are , all that you do, and all that you have achieved....

Keep leading in excellence...

Keep connecting, collaborating, and celebrating other women.

Keep challenging yourselves to unleash more and more of your inner greatness and be unstoppable in every way!



Many thanks to Dr. Walker for the pleasure of being a guest on her wonderful and inspiring show! She is truly an amazing woman in leadership doing great work spreading the message of the importance of levity in the workplace.