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What Makes You Truly Unique?
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Dear Reader, Recognizing Uniqueness I was 21. It was my first summer working with Visions Service Adventures, and we were making the 6-hour drive from Anchorage, Alaska, to Tok, a tiny town where we were spending the summer living with 30 high school students from around the country. I was hired as the outdoor specialist and knew I’d be teaching students to kayak and backpack. We’d spend much of our time doing cultural learning and community service, like building a bridge over a river, not to disrupt the salmon spawn. During our drive, Brad said, “So tell me your story.” He was the director of the program, and wanted to learn more about me. “What do you mean?” I said. “What makes you unique, what makes you you?” I had no idea how to answer this question. “I’m not unique; I’m just like everyone else.” Now that I am no longer 21, I realize that was the most uninformed, arrogant answer I could have given. Brad had the wisdom of age that I did not, and he retorted. “Are your friends from your Pennsylvania high school also ice climbing this summer? Are they also teaching teenagers to weld? Are they learning how to shoot a 30-06 rifle & then teaching how to shoot to these same teens, because that’s a cultural pastime up here in Alaska, all the while smiling ear-to-ear?” I got his point. And have never forgotten it. Each of us has our own set of traits & experiences. But when we are surrounded by people who do the same stuff as us, it’s easy to forget how unique we are. I recently presented at a tax conference, filled with county assessors and accountants. At the conference, that same conversation came up; the I-am-not-unique one. I looked around at all these folks who love the tax work they do, and I thought: Oh yes, you are. You have no idea how unique you are. There is no one else just like you. Whether they are young, old, seasoned, or new, how are you helping your team to see and marvel in the differences each of them brings? With gratitude, Julie 📢 Last Chance! Women's Summit Scholarship Closes Tomorrow 📢 Tomorrow is the final day to apply for a scholarship to attend the Women’s Summit on April 11, 2025, in Flagstaff, AZ ✅ Deadline: April 2, 2024 Complete this survey for a chance to get the scholarship: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X5GG2PB Don’t miss this opportunity—apply today! 🚀
Unlock Your Leadership Potential – Watch Now! Stuck in your career? Ready for more? In this powerful video, Julie Lancaster and past participants share how leadership isn’t just a title—it’s a mindset that opens doors to growth, confidence, and success. Your potential is waiting—take the first step. 📢 Q1 Report is Here – Big Updates & Exciting Insights! 🎉 Oh, and meet our newest team members—baby chicks! 🐣
Recognizing Jeff Kennedy: Championing Meaningful Change Jeff Kennedy has guided leaders across public service, nonprofits, and government, helping them strengthen teams and drive meaningful change through coaching, leadership training, and organizational development. Fleet Decision-Makers (FDMs): Developing Your Leadership Presence Great leaders don’t just manage—they inspire, influence, and create lasting impact. Check out Jeff Kennedy's newly published article on the Government Fleet website, where he explores the importance of leadership presence and shares key strategies to develop and strengthen it.
Your opinion matters! Stay tuned to our socials for an upcoming book cover vote—help us choose the perfect design by casting your vote soon! Power Phrase of the Month:
"No one else has your story, your perspective, or your gifts—your uniqueness is your power."
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Dear Reader, Do you ever underestimate your impact? I do. But then a week ago, I received this. "In a 2020 training, you discussed the toxicity of gossip and how to identify gossip. It resonated so deeply with me that it led me to reexamine the conversations I choose to have and call out both myself and my coworkers when conversations veer into gossip. As a leadership team, we are really wrestling with the divisiveness of gossip and cliques in my work group right now, and I have repeated your...
Dear Reader, I grew up in a family that didn't tell stories. That's not entirely true. The women didn't; we were fast and furious. We would never debrief movies before watching the next one. We'd plan the next vacation while on the current one. But then, there's the men. They tended to be long-winded, elaborate storytellers, sharing yarns of yesteryear that I cared nothing about. I thought I hated stories. Until I was asked to come up with my own as a trainer. Now, it's my hardest-won...
Dear Reader, We were in the boss’s living room and were about to have a leadership team retreat. Just 7 people on this health services team. I love these cozy, informal-feeling retreats. The topic to address was feedback. They wanted to create a culture of feedback seeking, and they were concerned that so many of their staff seemed defensive when receiving feedback, and then some would gossip about it; lots of indirect communication. I asked 2 questions. Do you give more positive or...