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The topic of leadership fascinates me. But I believe many of us have a closed opinion of who our leaders are. In my latest blog series, I speak to people who I consider to be an ‘everyday leader’.
These people may not have ‘leadership’ in their role or title, but they demonstrate leadership in their everyday life. The point is that we all lead in our own way. I want to uncover people who do this particularly well and tell their stories in the hope of inspiring others to engage with and harness their inner leader.
 |
Karma is Finance Director for Alcom IT, but she’s also the co-founder of this incredibly successful IT Support business, alongside husband, Abe. She freelances as a career advisor and ongoing hustler, creating small businesses out of creative ideas. She’s a mum of two, both of whom are also proving to have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, currently pursuing their own early ideas for businesses. |
In what ways do you feel leadership is a part of your everyday life?
Well, given that my response to your request for an interview was “but I’m not a leader”, I don’t think I really realised it did. Instinctively I would say I’m not a leader, but I am coming from the perspective that I don’t have people reporting to me.
However, I have given it some thought since, obviously, and for me, leadership means nurturing others.
I’ve done this with my assistant at work, and this is where I can illustrate the importance: initially struggling to delegate tasks fully, I ended up holding her back. Luckily, she felt able to give me that feedback and so we learned together to work out the best way of doing things and I found giving her just the right amount of guidance was far more constructive, and it also meant I nurtured the leader within myself.
Your life has had its challenges. Tell us a little about your experience of breast cancer.
I’ve been seeing some memories pop up on Facebook actually, about 5 years ago, I’d just had my second round of chemo. If I ever feel a little overwhelmed with work these days, these memories remind me that things could be a lot worse.
My experience led to me co-running the local breast cancer support group, helping with IT, social media and their finances. It’s something I want to push harder when I can. Some of the local communities don’t reach out as much as others so I’d like to change this.
And this was when you uncovered your use of humour in life, wasn’t it?
Yes, humour is a big feature in my life. I use it a lot and am known within my friendship circles for posting memes and stories on social media. I think that, although life needs to be serious at times, social media isn’t particularly healthy from a mental perspective. So I like to inject a smile now and again.
Breast cancer consolidated how I use humour, but it also reminded me that life goes through cycles of good and bad. It underlined the core of who I am, and this is where I navigate my life from.
I remember being diagnosed and my first words were “well I’m running a half marathon in a week, don’t dare tell me I can’t”. The response in the room was amazement – they’d never had that before. They said most people cry and of course, I did that later, but I ran that half marathon.
What situations have had a significant impact on you and influenced the way you show up?
I had to let someone from the business go a few years ago, and I found it really difficult to get my head around. Working with you helped me to realise the things I had to do at work were separate from who I am out of work. I did the role I needed to at work and didn’t let it impact me as a person.
When I’m at work now, I do feel I can have and present my own opinions in a constructive way. I wonder whether sometimes there’s more negative connotations when it comes to women and leadership – words like ‘ballbreaker’, or accusations of too much, or not enough, emotion.
I think women have a set of strengths that men don’t – they nurture family and juggle lots of roles – which brings be back to looking after others again – that’s the strongest sense of leadership I have within me. Ultimately, though, everyone contributes and you need a mix of different behaviours and experiences to find a balance.
Who do you look up to as a great example of an everyday leader?
My husband, Abe, has been amazing to be alongside in life and business. He has more confidence than me – we’re ying and yang. He leads through tenacity and confidence and I really value seeing this. I think I need more confidence, and this would reduce my propensity to ‘people please’. It’s about finding the right balance with people – you need to consider their opinions and feelings but if you do so at your own expense it can be detrimental.
I also loved joining the women’s business network, Athena. It was my first opportunity to network and to see how others lead. I really enjoyed that experience.
How would you consider you’ve applied leadership to your parenting?
My mum is my role model here – she had me at 17. I was supposed to be given up for adoption, but she resisted. She was a fantastically strong and kind person and I think she was my original guide as regards nurturing.
I’ve tried to take a similar approach with my children. I want them to come to me if they need to but also to find their own way. I’m always there to support them but I want them to understand the choices available and make their own way too.
As a result of this approach, I have a very strong, open relationship with both of them and they will always speak to me about anything that’s worrying them.
My daughter has just turned 18, which was a bit of a watershed for me, and now she says I’ve always parented like a friend which is probably pretty accurate as I’ve always seen the kids as people in their own right. If I don’t think something is the best choice, I’ll say “let’s do it and see” so it’s a joint thing and I can guide.
What tip or piece of advice would you give others about leading?
Don’t dismiss yourself as a leader or that you have what it takes to be one. Also don’t have too many preconceived ideas about what it means to be a leader. I think self-belief is critical, and I know I lack this but that keeps me learning. If you think you can do everything, you might stop learning.
Do you have a go-to resource that you use for leadership inspiration?
I adore books so there are lots, but one of my regular reads is “Eat That Frog”. It’s all about tackling the difficult things so it’s relevant to home and work life. If I am struggling, I revert to this as a quick prompt.
However, all the books and courses I’ve consumed have taught me I’m not alone. Lots of people struggle with the same challenges and so they’ve taught me acceptance rather than coping mechanisms.
What is your favourite mantra or quote?
Well, I hope it’s not too rude, but I’ve always had an affinity for “Life’s a bitch and then you die”.
It sounds horrific but I love the sentiment. I don’t see it as negative. Death is the only inevitability, so life is about what we do with this. It brings out thoughts about not sweating the small stuff and not letting things get you down.
I also love “be you, the world will adjust”. It echoes the way I am – true to my inner core – and that’s something that’s very important in life.
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The topic of leadership fascinates me. But I believe many of us have a closed opinion of who our leaders are. In my latest blog series, I speak to people who I consider to be an ‘everyday leader’.
These people may not have ‘leadership’ in their role or title, but they demonstrate leadership in their everyday life. The point is that we all lead in our own way. I want to uncover people who do this particularly well and tell their stories in the hope of inspiring others to engage with and harness their inner leader.
|
Karma is Finance Director for Alcom IT, but she’s also the co-founder of this incredibly successful IT Support business, alongside husband, Abe. She freelances as a career advisor and ongoing hustler, creating small businesses out of creative ideas. She’s a mum of two, both of whom are also proving to have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, currently pursuing their own early ideas for businesses.
In what ways do you feel leadership is a part of your everyday life?
Well, given that my response to your request for an interview was “but I’m not a leader”, I don’t think I really realised it did. Instinctively I would say I’m not a leader, but I am coming from the perspective that I don’t have people reporting to me.
However, I have given it some thought since, obviously, and for me, leadership means nurturing others.
I’ve done this with my assistant at work, and this is where I can illustrate the importance: initially struggling to delegate tasks fully, I ended up holding her back. Luckily, she felt able to give me that feedback and so we learned together to work out the best way of doing things and I found giving her just the right amount of guidance was far more constructive, and it also meant I nurtured the leader within myself.
Your life has had its challenges. Tell us a little about your experience of breast cancer.
I’ve been seeing some memories pop up on Facebook actually, about 5 years ago, I’d just had my second round of chemo. If I ever feel a little overwhelmed with work these days, these memories remind me that things could be a lot worse.
My experience led to me co-running the local breast cancer support group, helping with IT, social media and their finances. It’s something I want to push harder when I can. Some of the local communities don’t reach out as much as others so I’d like to change this.
And this was when you uncovered your use of humour in life, wasn’t it?
Yes, humour is a big feature in my life. I use it a lot and am known within my friendship circles for posting memes and stories on social media. I think that, although life needs to be serious at times, social media isn’t particularly healthy from a mental perspective. So I like to inject a smile now and again.
Breast cancer consolidated how I use humour, but it also reminded me that life goes through cycles of good and bad. It underlined the core of who I am, and this is where I navigate my life from.
I remember being diagnosed and my first words were “well I’m running a half marathon in a week, don’t dare tell me I can’t”. The response in the room was amazement – they’d never had that before. They said most people cry and of course, I did that later, but I ran that half marathon.
What situations have had a significant impact on you and influenced the way you show up?
I had to let someone from the business go a few years ago, and I found it really difficult to get my head around. Working with you helped me to realise the things I had to do at work were separate from who I am out of work. I did the role I needed to at work and didn’t let it impact me as a person.
When I’m at work now, I do feel I can have and present my own opinions in a constructive way. I wonder whether sometimes there’s more negative connotations when it comes to women and leadership – words like ‘ballbreaker’, or accusations of too much, or not enough, emotion.
I think women have a set of strengths that men don’t – they nurture family and juggle lots of roles – which brings be back to looking after others again – that’s the strongest sense of leadership I have within me. Ultimately, though, everyone contributes and you need a mix of different behaviours and experiences to find a balance.
Who do you look up to as a great example of an everyday leader?
My husband, Abe, has been amazing to be alongside in life and business. He has more confidence than me – we’re ying and yang. He leads through tenacity and confidence and I really value seeing this. I think I need more confidence, and this would reduce my propensity to ‘people please’. It’s about finding the right balance with people – you need to consider their opinions and feelings but if you do so at your own expense it can be detrimental.
I also loved joining the women’s business network, Athena. It was my first opportunity to network and to see how others lead. I really enjoyed that experience.
How would you consider you’ve applied leadership to your parenting?
My mum is my role model here – she had me at 17. I was supposed to be given up for adoption, but she resisted. She was a fantastically strong and kind person and I think she was my original guide as regards nurturing.
I’ve tried to take a similar approach with my children. I want them to come to me if they need to but also to find their own way. I’m always there to support them but I want them to understand the choices available and make their own way too.
As a result of this approach, I have a very strong, open relationship with both of them and they will always speak to me about anything that’s worrying them.
My daughter has just turned 18, which was a bit of a watershed for me, and now she says I’ve always parented like a friend which is probably pretty accurate as I’ve always seen the kids as people in their own right. If I don’t think something is the best choice, I’ll say “let’s do it and see” so it’s a joint thing and I can guide.
What tip or piece of advice would you give others about leading?
Don’t dismiss yourself as a leader or that you have what it takes to be one. Also don’t have too many preconceived ideas about what it means to be a leader. I think self-belief is critical, and I know I lack this but that keeps me learning. If you think you can do everything, you might stop learning.
Do you have a go-to resource that you use for leadership inspiration?
I adore books so there are lots, but one of my regular reads is “Eat That Frog”. It’s all about tackling the difficult things so it’s relevant to home and work life. If I am struggling, I revert to this as a quick prompt.
However, all the books and courses I’ve consumed have taught me I’m not alone. Lots of people struggle with the same challenges and so they’ve taught me acceptance rather than coping mechanisms.
What is your favourite mantra or quote?
Well, I hope it’s not too rude, but I’ve always had an affinity for “Life’s a bitch and then you die”.
It sounds horrific but I love the sentiment. I don’t see it as negative. Death is the only inevitability, so life is about what we do with this. It brings out thoughts about not sweating the small stuff and not letting things get you down.
I also love “be you, the world will adjust”. It echoes the way I am – true to my inner core – and that’s something that’s very important in life.
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The topic of leadership fascinates me. But I believe many of us have a closed opinion of who our leaders are. In my latest blog series, I speak to people who I consider to be an ‘everyday leader’.
These people may not have ‘leadership’ in their role or title, but they demonstrate leadership in their everyday life. The point is that we all lead in our own way. I want to uncover people who do this particularly well and tell their stories in the hope of inspiring others to engage with and harness their inner leader.
 |
Karma is Finance Director for Alcom IT, but she’s also the co-founder of this incredibly successful IT Support business, alongside husband, Abe. She freelances as a career advisor and ongoing hustler, creating small businesses out of creative ideas. She’s a mum of two, both of whom are also proving to have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, currently pursuing their own early ideas for businesses. |
In what ways do you feel leadership is a part of your everyday life?
Well, given that my response to your request for an interview was “but I’m not a leader”, I don’t think I really realised it did. Instinctively I would say I’m not a leader, but I am coming from the perspective that I don’t have people reporting to me.
However, I have given it some thought since, obviously, and for me, leadership means nurturing others.
I’ve done this with my assistant at work, and this is where I can illustrate the importance: initially struggling to delegate tasks fully, I ended up holding her back. Luckily, she felt able to give me that feedback and so we learned together to work out the best way of doing things and I found giving her just the right amount of guidance was far more constructive, and it also meant I nurtured the leader within myself.
Your life has had its challenges. Tell us a little about your experience of breast cancer.
I’ve been seeing some memories pop up on Facebook actually, about 5 years ago, I’d just had my second round of chemo. If I ever feel a little overwhelmed with work these days, these memories remind me that things could be a lot worse.
My experience led to me co-running the local breast cancer support group, helping with IT, social media and their finances. It’s something I want to push harder when I can. Some of the local communities don’t reach out as much as others so I’d like to change this.
And this was when you uncovered your use of humour in life, wasn’t it?
Yes, humour is a big feature in my life. I use it a lot and am known within my friendship circles for posting memes and stories on social media. I think that, although life needs to be serious at times, social media isn’t particularly healthy from a mental perspective. So I like to inject a smile now and again.
Breast cancer consolidated how I use humour, but it also reminded me that life goes through cycles of good and bad. It underlined the core of who I am, and this is where I navigate my life from.
I remember being diagnosed and my first words were “well I’m running a half marathon in a week, don’t dare tell me I can’t”. The response in the room was amazement – they’d never had that before. They said most people cry and of course, I did that later, but I ran that half marathon.
What situations have had a significant impact on you and influenced the way you show up?
I had to let someone from the business go a few years ago, and I found it really difficult to get my head around. Working with you helped me to realise the things I had to do at work were separate from who I am out of work. I did the role I needed to at work and didn’t let it impact me as a person.
When I’m at work now, I do feel I can have and present my own opinions in a constructive way. I wonder whether sometimes there’s more negative connotations when it comes to women and leadership – words like ‘ballbreaker’, or accusations of too much, or not enough, emotion.
I think women have a set of strengths that men don’t – they nurture family and juggle lots of roles – which brings be back to looking after others again – that’s the strongest sense of leadership I have within me. Ultimately, though, everyone contributes and you need a mix of different behaviours and experiences to find a balance.
Who do you look up to as a great example of an everyday leader?
My husband, Abe, has been amazing to be alongside in life and business. He has more confidence than me – we’re ying and yang. He leads through tenacity and confidence and I really value seeing this. I think I need more confidence, and this would reduce my propensity to ‘people please’. It’s about finding the right balance with people – you need to consider their opinions and feelings but if you do so at your own expense it can be detrimental.
I also loved joining the women’s business network, Athena. It was my first opportunity to network and to see how others lead. I really enjoyed that experience.
How would you consider you’ve applied leadership to your parenting?
My mum is my role model here – she had me at 17. I was supposed to be given up for adoption, but she resisted. She was a fantastically strong and kind person and I think she was my original guide as regards nurturing.
I’ve tried to take a similar approach with my children. I want them to come to me if they need to but also to find their own way. I’m always there to support them but I want them to understand the choices available and make their own way too.
As a result of this approach, I have a very strong, open relationship with both of them and they will always speak to me about anything that’s worrying them.
My daughter has just turned 18, which was a bit of a watershed for me, and now she says I’ve always parented like a friend which is probably pretty accurate as I’ve always seen the kids as people in their own right. If I don’t think something is the best choice, I’ll say “let’s do it and see” so it’s a joint thing and I can guide.
What tip or piece of advice would you give others about leading?
Don’t dismiss yourself as a leader or that you have what it takes to be one. Also don’t have too many preconceived ideas about what it means to be a leader. I think self-belief is critical, and I know I lack this but that keeps me learning. If you think you can do everything, you might stop learning.
Do you have a go-to resource that you use for leadership inspiration?
I adore books so there are lots, but one of my regular reads is “Eat That Frog”. It’s all about tackling the difficult things so it’s relevant to home and work life. If I am struggling, I revert to this as a quick prompt.
However, all the books and courses I’ve consumed have taught me I’m not alone. Lots of people struggle with the same challenges and so they’ve taught me acceptance rather than coping mechanisms.
What is your favourite mantra or quote?
Well, I hope it’s not too rude, but I’ve always had an affinity for “Life’s a bitch and then you die”.
It sounds horrific but I love the sentiment. I don’t see it as negative. Death is the only inevitability, so life is about what we do with this. It brings out thoughts about not sweating the small stuff and not letting things get you down.
I also love “be you, the world will adjust”. It echoes the way I am – true to my inner core – and that’s something that’s very important in life.
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