Issue #14: Peek-a-Boo = Big Ideas: What a 7-Year-Old Can Teach Us About Leadership
A 7-minute video, a few big lessons, and some surprising leadership insights.
Every Moment Together is an Opportunity…
It’s very possible I am still full on turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes as I write this week’s newsletter. But Thanksgiving also reminded me of the importance of family, friends and taking time for reflection, appreciation and being present.
Which also reminded me of this amazing TED Talk I saw a few months ago - presented by Molly, a wise beyond her years, 7 year old.
Check out the 7 minute video below.
How every child can thrive by five
📌Tip of the Week
Practice listening, not fixing
As a leader, your instinct might be to jump in and solve problems immediately. But often, your team isn’t looking for an instant solution, they're looking to feel heard or for you to be a sounding board so they can work out their own problem.
Next time someone shares a challenge, pause before responding and ask open-ended questions like:
"What do you think would work best here?"
"What’s the outcome you’re hoping for?"
Resisting the urge to fix everything can transform your leadership style from directive to supportive, and that’s where the real growth happens.
Try it this week: focus on listening more and solutioning less.
Why Molly’s TED Talk is a Lesson in Leadership
If you watched Molly speak can we just say - wow! What a thought provoking speech, for parents but also for leaders.
And if you simply bookmarked the video to watch later, get ready for some deep thought in just 7 minutes!
Molly TED Talk, "How Every Child Can Thrive by Five," focuses on the importance of early childhood development and how small actions, like talking, playing, and connecting with children, can have a profound impact on their growth.
While her message is centered on parenting and child development, it offers valuable leadership lessons, especially in fostering connection and growth within teams.
Here are my 5 key takeaways on how leaders can apply those methods:
1. The power of small interactions.
In the video, Molly talks about simple, consistent actions like eye contact and play as a way to develop trust and confidence. Small, thoughtful actions, like checking in with your team, offering recognition or having dedicated 1:1 conversations can and will build trust and ultimately a positive workplace culture.
2. Modeling the behavior you want.
In past newsletters I’ve highlighted that as leaders we need to set the example of how we want our teams to interact and work. As a reminder, we often learn by observing and mimicking. Model the qualities you want to see within your team, whether its how you interact with other cross-functional groups with patience, how you adapt to unforeseen issues, how you share your enthusiasm. Leadership starts with setting the example.
3. Creating a supportive environment.
Providing a support and safe environment for team members to takes risks, fail, or succeed will help them grow. Simply put, when people feel safe they take creative risks, share more ideas and own their responsibilities. Yay for innovation!
4. Strong relationships build resilience.
Building strong relationships within your team helps them navigate challenges. Invest in understanding their individual goals, strengths, and struggles. A connected team is a resilient team.
5. Focus on long-term impact.
Although, short-term wins are important, leaders must think long-term. Develop your team members’ skills and confidence for sustained success, not just immediate outcomes.
This week, take inspiration from Molly Wright’s message. Ask yourself:
Are my daily interactions meaningful and growth-focused?
Am I creating an environment where my team feels supported, valued, and safe to take risks?
Leadership thrives on intentionality and connection. Small, consistent efforts can lead to big transformations.
🆕Hello, AMA!
Q: “I’m a confident presenter but often struggle with my slide creation for executive level meetings needed for decision making. Is there a tool or formula that can help me?”
A: It’s important to keep in mind your audience when presenting some groups may require more detail where other groups, like executives are looking for a clear purpose, it’s impact and they are usually short on time and attention span- so make it easy.
Here’s a simple 4 page slide framework I’ve used in the past:
Slide 1: Why We’re Here
State the purpose of your presentation clearly.
Outline what you’ll cover to manage expectations.
For example: "Today, we’ll discuss a new initiative to streamline customer onboarding. I'll walk you through the idea, its benefits, and how it impacts our team."
Slide 2: The Big Idea
Present your main concept in a simple, attention-grabbing way.
Include few key highlights and impact
Example: "The proposal will improve onboarding efficiency by 30%, saving $X annually while enhancing customer satisfaction scores."
Slide 3: Impact + Timeline
Explain how the idea impacts their goals or responsibilities.
Highlight the timeline to set realistic expectations.
Example: "This will require a 3-month implementation with minimal disruptions to current workflows, starting next quarter."
Slide 4: Call to Action
Specify what you need from the audience, whether it’s approval, feedback, or a decision.
If appropriate, include prompts or questions to guide the discussion.
Example: "I’d like your approval to begin the pilot phase. Questions: 1) Are there any barriers you foresee? 2) Is there a preferred timing for launch?"
Appendix: Supporting Documentation
Include detailed charts, case studies, or data points to address potential questions without overwhelming the main slides so that people who want more detail can review.
A few more pro-tips, when presenting this structure is to practice your transitions to maintain flow between slides. And ensure your ask is crystal clear, executives value decisive presentations with actionable outcomes.
Got more questions? We’re here for you, send them over!
Wellness Corner
Meditate your way to better brain health
Meditation isn’t just about sitting still and closing your eyes, it’s a powerful tool to enhance both your mental and physical health.
Research has shown that meditation can reduce stress, support emotional well-being in as little as 10 minutes a day and improve overall health.
Don’t worry about sitting in silence for hours. Start with 2–5 minutes daily, focusing on your breath or you can even use a guided meditation app like Calm or Headspace.
Community Insights
We’re making moves…
balanced.boss was always intended to be more than just a newsletter but instead a true interactive community of like-minded leaders looking for ways to balance work demands, build better teams and focus on their own health and wellness.
Starting in January we will be moving away from our current newsletter provider and heading over to Substack with a goal of building a community forum that allows for more questions, more resources and more interactions.
We’ll let you know when its ready!
And dont worry- for those who are already subscribed you’ll automatically be a part of our continued discussion and the balanced.boss fam.
Until next time, stay well.
𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒅.𝒃𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒎
* Consult Your Doctor First: Before starting any new exercise routines, wellness plans, or making significant changes to your diet, it’s important to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider. They can help ensure that any new practices are safe and appropriate for your individual health needs. Your well-being is our top priority, so please take this step before making any changes.