Create Your Leadership Playbook - Part 1

Create your own Leadership playbook… 5-part Series 

Episode 1: 

Welcome to Stories of Change and Creativity… the show where we explore leadership, change, and personal growth. All with a big dose of creativity.  I'm your host Judy Oskam.. I’m a university professor at Texas State University. And I’m a certified coach using a Gallup Strengths, Tiny habits and Thrive framework. 

This episode marks the beginning of a 5-part series, Create your Leadership Playbook.  Whether you're a seasoned leader looking to refine your approach or someone just stepping into your career, this short series is designed to empower you with actionable insights and strategies.  I’m excited to guide you through the process and hopefully generate some ideas for your journey.  

My goal is to show you how to take charge of your own future…. So you can impact and drive results.  

I use the term playbook for a reason.  In sports - a playbook breaks down what needs to be done to win the game.  And when certain plays don’t work - the coach and the players pivot and make changes.  It’s the same in your career and in life.  We pivot and chart a new path.    Your playbook is unique to you and what you want to achieve.  It’s your fun roadmap forward.  I always tell my daughters and my students - to find a career you love - so it’s enjoyable.  

My leadership playbook consists of 4 steps.  1. Discover your strengths 2.  Understand the science of change, 3. Practice compassion and 4. Take action.  

As you create your ‘playbook’ keep in mind - your career is only part of the equation.  To be effective, I think professional development is personal.  The more we grow personally, the more opportunity we have to create the work and homelife we dream of.  My life and career is full of pivots. I’ve always been a glass half full kinda gal.. I see the possibilities and look for a way forward.  When I work with students, faculty or business professionals - I love helping them explore and recognize their own potential.  And let me add, a wise counselor told me once - there’s no timeline for potential.  I challenge you to start where you are- and don’t worry about where you think you ‘should be’ in life or your career.  

So, let's briefly dive into what you can expect in each episode.  In this episode, Part 1- I focus on "Getting Started." I’ll lay the foundation for your Leadership Playbook. We'll explore the importance of mindset, self-awareness, setting clear intentions, and understanding your leadership style.  

In Part 2 the focus is on how to "Discover Your Strengths." Identifying and leveraging your strengths is key to effective leadership. We'll explore practical exercises and tools that can help you uncover your unique strengths and capitalize on your natural talents in your leadership journey.  I’ll share some of my experiences with various assessments - that you might find interesting.  

In Part 3: "Understand the Science of Change." Change is inevitable, and as leaders, our ability to navigate it is crucial. In this episode, we'll explore the psychological aspects of change, discuss common challenges, and provide strategies so you can thrive and not just survive.  I’ll introduce you to the science-backed Fogg Behavior method.  You’ll learn how to create Tiny Habit recipes that help you build habits that work.  

Part 4 helps us learn why it’s important to "Practice Compassion" - for others and ourselves.  Effective leaders understand the importance of empathy and compassion. We'll discuss how cultivating these qualities can enhance team dynamics, foster collaboration, and create a positive work environment.  We can all use a little more compassion - whether it’s at work or at home.  

And finally, in Part 5: "Take Action," I'll bring it all together. This episode is about turning insights into action. We'll explore practical steps you can take to implement the lessons learned throughout the series into your daily leadership practices.  

I invite you to grab a notebook, pen, and your favorite beverage as we embark on this transformative journey together. Each episode is crafted to equip you with the tools and mindset needed to create a Leadership Playbook that reflects your own authentic style and personality.

In this Getting Started episode - I challenge you to think about your ‘why’.  Give yourself permission to dream big and think about possibilities.  You can create your own path.  Maybe you’re thinking of your next career move?  What’s next in your company or industry?  Did the pandemic give you the chance to rethink your ‘why’?  Or maybe you experienced more of a hybrid or online work schedule?  And now you can live anywhere? It’s freeing and maybe a bit challenging.  

I had my ‘why’ moment and made a change in my career. . After working in television and public affairs for a university system - I took a job at Oklahoma State University to coordinate a grant project focusing on agricultural safety and health.  My colleagues and I developed educational programs, videos, and outreach materials for the OSU extension service.   I was in the Department of Biosystem and Ag Engineering - working with some of the most amazing faculty and staff.  I took the job on a leap of faith - because of the challenge and the people.  I trusted my instinct and moved back to Oklahoma for a 2nd time.  My first tv job was in Ardmore Oklahoma years earlier.  While I was working on the grant project, I decided to explore graduate programs at OSU.  Working on campus made a masters and later a doctorate program - affordable and manageable.  The challenge was the grant only lasted 4 years.  This was an opportunity.  I was surrounded by great teachers and researchers - and decided that might be my next career.  I took every education course I could - because I was determined to be a good teacher.   My husband was coaching at the University of Tulsa and getting his masters - we didn’t have kids yet - it was time to make a move.  Was it a gamble, yes.  But I tell my daughters now..- education is something you always have - 

Time is the one resource we can’t control.  Once it’s gone, we can’t get it back.  As you listen to this series, I challenge you to think about where you want to be in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years - whatever timeframe works for you.  Your company might be experiencing a transition - does that provide an opportunity? Or a challenge for you? Are you going through changes in your family?  Consider how all the puzzle pieces fit together.  You’re the artist and your life is the canvas.   

Now let’s think about the ‘how’…..I talk to my students about forming their own personal advisory board - or board of directors..  

These are the people in your corner, no matter what.  Who do you turn to for advice?  Maybe it’s a friend, family member or colleague.  Write down your list of your personal advisors.  Let them know you appreciate and count on their counsel.  Pick people who have your best interests at heart.  In my OSU job, I was fortunate to work with some great friends - from my TV days.  My friend Carole - knows she’s one of my advisors - unpaid advisors.  Having advisors or friends who really know you - and understand what makes you tick - is invaluable.  

I challenge you to approach this exercise with a positive mindset. Be open to the possibilities and give yourself permission to take charge of your future.   - recognize each small step toward your future. 

We all approach work in our own way.  As a leader or aspiring leader - I encourage you to explore your leadership style.  What is your style?   Democratic, autocratic, coaching, transformational.. how do you prefer to work with your colleagues?  Understanding your leadership style - will help you advance your career and the organization.  It’s helped me to think about the managers and leaders I worked with throughout my career.  My favorite bosses - listened and understood my need to continue to grow. And they gave me a chance to learn and fear of making mistakes.  My favorite bosses also represented themselves and organization with integrity and dedication. 

Ok - I want to leave you with a little homework or maybe extra credit?   Spend a few minutes and think about your ‘why’…. Why do you want to advance your career or your life?  Is it the joy you receive from your work?  Is it the lifestyle?  The money?    Are your colleagues coming to you, asking you to serve?   That says something about your currency in the organization.  

Next - What’s your timeline?  What do you want to achieve… do you want to reach some benchmarks, milestones..  And finally- who is on your team.  Write down 3-4 members of your own personal advisory board.   Reach out and tell them how much they impact your life.  Will they help you grow and learn? Certainly  -you bet.  

Thank’s for listening to this quick overview.   

The next episode in this series focuses on discovering and applying your strengths.  

I'm Judy Oskam, and I‘m honored to help you create your own leadership playbook. Until next time, remember: your journey involves an understanding of strengths, change and creativity.  You’ve got this.  Thanks for listening….