81. How fulfillment is the key to impact - with Colleen Slaughter

Practical Leadership Podcast

Are you successful but unfulfilled? Chasing goals but feeling empty inside? Colleen Slaughter knows that fulfilment, not just success, is the real key to making an impact. This episode dives into how to align purpose with leadership, tapping into deeper fulfillment that fuels both personal and professional transformation.

Episode Highlights

1. From Kentucky to France: Overcoming the 'Not Good Enough' (00:01:02)
   Colleen shares her journey from small-town Kentucky to France with no job or money, and the insecurities she faced along the way. This is where we first learn about the powerful forces that drove her—a need to succeed mixed with a fear of failure.
   "I was an insecure overachiever. I had the NG's—the 'not good enoughs'.” - (00:01:24)
2. The Dark Side of Drive (00:03:02)
   A relentless drive can backfire, especially when self-expectation becomes too harsh. Colleen shares how the same energy that pushes her to succeed can also create challenges in her relationships.
   "When I'm hard on myself, I can be hard on others. It makes it harder for people to be around me." - (00:03:02)
3. Balancing Strengths and Self-Awareness (00:05:01)
   Recognising your strengths is vital, but overusing them can push people away. Colleen explores how self-awareness and knowing when to dial things back can make you a better leader.
   "Being aware of your traits allows you to avoid alienating others, while still pushing yourself to grow." - (00:05:43)
4. The Power of Imperfection: Mandela’s Mindset (00:07:19)
   Perfection is a myth. Colleen references one of her favourite quotes from Nelson Mandela: “I never lose, I either win or I learn.” This mindset shift is crucial for leaders who need to focus on growth over perfection.
   "Failure is just a lesson disguised." - (00:07:39)
5. Leadership Through Love and Duty (00:13:32)
   Paul and Colleen dive into the uncomfortable territory of discussing love in leadership, drawing on C.S. Lewis' four types of love to highlight the importance of Agape—selfless love.
   "Agape is the selfless willing of good for others. And any leadership approach has to come from that place." - (00:15:00)
6. Purpose Beyond the Paycheck (00:16:30)
   Fulfilment comes from within, not from external markers like money or titles. Leaders who find this alignment make more significant impacts and inspire their teams to do the same.
   "I have the cars, the houses, but I'm miserable—so clearly, it’s not the outside trappings that bring joy." - (00:16:55)
7. Colleen’s Three-Step Framework for Fulfillment (00:19:02)

• Clarify Your Values: Know what matters to you at the core.
• Commit to One Practice: Choose one value and focus on living it daily.
• Remember Your Worth: Fulfillment comes when actions align with who you truly are.

"Fulfillment isn't a 'one and done'—it’s about living your values every day." - (00:22:11) Resilience and Patience: The Unsexy Truth (00:24:22)
Colleen admits that she struggles with patience, but it’s a core part of resilience. Being patient with yourself and others builds the foundation for long-term success.
"Patience serves a purpose larger than just achieving goals—it helps draw people in, aligning them with a bigger mission." - (00:24:25)

Key Quotes

• "You can't give what you don't have. If you're not fulfilled, how will you impact others?" - (00:25:58)
• "Leadership isn’t about being the vessel; it's about becoming the conduit." - (00:14:34)

Chapters

• 00:01:02 – From Kentucky to France: Overcoming the 'Not Good Enough'
• 00:03:02 – The Dark Side of Drive
• 00:05:01 – Balancing Strengths and Self-Awareness
• 00:07:19 – The Power of Imperfection: Mandela’s Mindset
• 00:13:32 – Leadership Through Love and Duty
• 00:16:30 – Purpose Beyond the Paycheck
• 00:19:02 – Colleen’s Three-Step Framework for Fulfillment
• 00:24:22 – Resilience and Patience: The Unsexy Truth

Call to Action
If you want to align your values with your leadership practice, explore more about Colleen Slaughter’s work on BolderMoves.com. You can also find her on LinkedIn for her weekly insights on bold leadership.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenslaughter/