Jennifer McClure`

Empowering Organizations and People Leaders to thrive in the ever-evolving world of work

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6 Resources to Create a Leadership Development Plan to Fuel Continuous Personal Growth and Career Success

If you’re serious about creating positive change in the lives of those that you lead and serve, it’s critical for you to be intentional about continuing your own personal development as a leader, and never become complacent or satisfied that you’ve finally “made it”.

How can you be intentional about your continuous leadership learning journey?

Start with identifying several sources that challenge and inspire you and can provide you with consistent and reliable information and encouragement, so that you can explore and implement several to facilitate your personal growth and development.

Thankfully, there are plenty of great resources out there – many free or low cost to access – that can become part of your own Leadership Development Plan. For example, below are 6 resources that I’ve incorporated into my life that consistently provide leadership learning and growth opportunities for me:

1. Books

This category is low hanging fruit to grasp, because there are so many great books – both old and new – out there on the topic of leadership! Some of my consistent favorite authors include  Adam Grant, Brené Brown, Brendon Burchard, and John C. Maxwell.

2. Blogs

While the glory days of blogging seem to have come and gone, there are still plenty of blogs or websites that share the latest research and trends related to my areas of interest. I’m a regular reader of several blogs by bloggers who write about leadership, people strategies, and professional speaking.

A few of my consistent favorites include: Steve Browne (Everyday People), Tim Sackett (The Tim Sackett Project), Josh Bersin, the LinkedIn Talent blog, The Speaker Lab, and Jane Atkinson (The Wealthy Speaker).

3. Newsletters

Newsletters have unfortunately gotten a bad rap, because so many people/organizations abuse the privilege of dropping into our inboxes by signing us up to receive their newsletters without permission. (BTW, I can click unsubscribe faster than it took them to enter my email address without my permission into their email service provider.) However, please don’t let the bad actors discourage you from signing up to receive regular updates from thought leaders and content creators who do provide value.

I receive and enjoy reading regular updates from Hung Lee (Recruiting Brainfood), Ann Handley (Total Annarchy), Mike Kim, James Clear, DisruptHR LLC, HR Executive.com, McKinsey & Company, and DDI (Leadership Development Resources).

4. Online Courses

The world of online learning has exploded since 2020, and there are more opportunities to learn online – both free and paid – than ever before. I recommend checking out my friend Laurie Ruettimann’s popular LinkedIn Learning courses – which have been viewed by millions – as well as some of the leadership and personal development courses options from Dana Brownlee, Todd Dewett, and Dorie Clark.

5. Conferences & Events

With so many options to choose from, sometimes it can be a challenge to find a conference or event near you that is focused on the area you’d specifically like to learn more about.

If you’re in the people and talent space, check out this great open-source list, curated by Hung Lee of Recruiting Brainfood -> “Recruiting Brainfood Big List of Recruiting & HR Events to attend in 2023.” The Academy to Innovate HR has also shared “40 HR Conferences to Attend in 2023” and Recruiting Daily has curated “Your 2023 Recruiting & HR Events List.”

It’s also likely that a DisruptHR event is coming soon near you wherever you are in the world. [View a listing of upcoming DisruptHR events HERE.]

6. Podcasts

Podcasts are my go-to learning resource these days. I subscribe to dozens, and enjoy listening / learning while driving, cooking, working out, spending time with my horses, etc. (I recently shared some of my favorites, here on the blog.)

More favorites include several from Zachary Nunn and the Living Corporate team, All Hands with Katelin Holloway, Punk Rock HR with Laurie Ruettimann, Redefining Work with Lars Schmidt, Digital HR Leaders with David Green, the Maxwell Leadership Podcast, and Re:Thinking with Adam Grant.

Speaking of my favorite leadership podcasts, if you’re not already subscribed, I’ll put in a shameless plug for the Impact Makers Podcast with Jennifer McClure, as another resource I recommend adding to your weekly intentional learning opportunities. 😊

As you can see, there are plenty of ways for each of us to take ownership of our own personal development, and to craft a customized resource library, full of endless learning opportunities.

If your areas of interest overlap with mine, I encourage you to check out some of the resources that I’ve shared above and be sure to intentionally set aside time on your calendar for learning — then continue to seek out new resources / new voices to add to your lists.

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As a keynote speaker and leadership coach, Jennifer McClure helps leaders to embrace the future of work, and to develop the skills necessary to lead their organizations and the people on their teams to take bold actions that positively impact business results.

Want more leadership and future of work insights from me?

SUBSCRIBE to get my weekly Impact Makers newsletter delivered to your inbox!

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From the Block to the Boardroom: Impact Architect Khalilah Olokunola Breaks Boundaries in HR

It’s not often that I come across a story as astonishing and inspiring as that of my guest on episode 86 of the Impact Makers podcast – Khalilah Olokunola. Khalilah (also known as KO) transformed a troubled past into a beacon of hope and empowerment, and her journey from the streets of Brooklyn to a prison cell, and eventually to the boardrooms of the corporate world, is a testament to her talent, as well as her unwavering resilience and determination.

Khalilah is an extraordinary human, HR executive, community leader, and now business owner – for the 6th time – and the story of her life to date, is amazing. In our conversation on the podcast, Khalilah takes us through her inspiring journey and the wisdom she gleaned along the way. She recounts how a simple letter from her father gave her the strength to persevere, and how her role as a Chief People Officer at a startup with a mission to unite gang rivals shaped her perspective on life. In her latest endeavor founding her own company — Re-Engineering HR — she helps companies thrive by prioritizing people, purpose, and profit.

We also discussed the impactful work that Khalilah does through Re-Engineering HR, where she helps leaders and organizations to understand how to be people-focused, purpose-driven, and profit-aligned, and also how to put strategies in place to avoid sinking the business ship by identifying and addressing internal icebergs before they take an organization down. She also introduces her Alphabet Audit tool, which measures people and practices, and her Serve Principle training.

Finally, you’ll hear about her upcoming book, set to release in 2024. This episode is filled with inspiration, resilience, and valuable insights that will leave you empowered and ready to create change!

Topics Discussed In Today’s Episode:

  • Resilience and determination can turn even the harshest experiences into opportunities for growth and impact.
  • HR isn’t just about managing people; it’s about transforming lives, building communities, and driving meaningful change.
  • Embracing educational opportunities, learning from industry veterans, and not being afraid to take on challenges are keys to growth in the HR field.
  • For companies to thrive, leaders must rely on the wisdom of their partners and employees, maintain transparency, and communicate effectively.
  • Effective HR practice involve being proactive, aligning decisions with values, and being purpose-driven.
  • The Power of ‘D.I.R.T.Y. HR’ – being divergent, intentional, responsible, trustworthy, and focused on your ‘why’.

LISTEN TO IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 86

Listen on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts or Spotify

People & Resources Mentioned In This episode:

Khalilah “KO” Olokunola – LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

ReEngineeringHR website

Khalilah Olokunola personal website

The HR Social Hour Half Hour podcast episode 80: Jon & Wendy talk to Khalilah Olokunola

Dirty HR (D.I.R.T.Y.) | Khalilah “KO” Olokunola | DisruptHR Talks

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How to Lead with Impact: 4 Key Traits of Mentors Who Make a Difference

After working over twenty years in Human Resources and Recruiting leadership roles, in February 2010, I made the decision to step out on my own and start my company – Unbridled Talent, LLC.

I’d been considering the decision to start my business for a few months, and finally, in a conversation with my mentor* (who also happened to be my boss), he encouraged me to pursue my dream, and expressed his strong belief in my skills and talent, as well as my ability to make the right choices for my future. He said:

“Just know that whichever path you choose, I will always be your balcony person. I’m here for you and I want you to succeed.”

At that time, the mental image of looking up and seeing him in the balcony cheering for me really resonated with me. That statement and sentiment — which I’ve never forgotten — had a huge impact on me then, as it still does over thirteen years later.

It’s a powerful thing when someone believes in you and wants you to succeed.

It’s even more powerful when that person cares enough to provide you with honest coaching, feedback, and support – even when you screw up.

Especially when you screw up. Because you will.

This year, as I approached another anniversary of starting my speaking and coaching business, I thought about the fact that I’ve been able to beat the odds against succeeding as a small business, and was also to stay afloat during a global pandemic that practically devastated my industry. I also thought about how any success that I have achieved can be directly correlated to those who have been “balcony people” for me.

What does it mean to be a balcony person?

1. Balcony people are intentional with their encouragement.

We all have heard the phrase “what gets scheduled, gets done.” For me, that means not only adding important tasks to my To Do list app, but also blocking time to complete the task on my calendar.

Acknowledging and encouraging those who are important relationships in your life is a critical activity, and that shouldn’t get lost lost among the many “things I should probably do” tasks on your list.

2. Balcony people listen well, and ensure others feel they’ve been heard.

In such a busy, dispersed, and distracted world, people are feeling more disconnected than ever at work, and this lack of connection can greatly impact not only their own work life, but it impacts their workplaces as well.

According to a report – The Heard and the Heard-Nots – published by The Workforce Institute at UKG:

  • Employees with very high senses of belonging (95%) and engagement (92%) are significantly more likely to feel heard than those with very low belonging (25%) or engagement (30%).
  • Organizations are much more likely to perform well financially (88%) when their employees feel heard, engaged, and a sense of belonging.”

Whether you’re someone’s mentor, their boss, their colleague, or their friend, one of the best gifts you can give to them is to be a good listener.

The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them. ~ Ralph Nichols

3. Balcony people focus more on facilitating victories that solving problems.

As someone who is highly oriented as a problem-solver, my tendency is to listen to others, and then attempt to offer solutions to any problems that they may be struggling with. I’ve often joked that “If you’re looking for free unsolicited advice, just come to me. I’ve got lots of it.” 😊

Thankfully, due to some good executive coach training, I’ve learned that giving people advice – solicited or unsolicited – is NOT the most effective way to help others to achieve results.

The best way to help others to achieve success — and to own their results — is to listen carefully and ask good questions.

Often, people have the solutions to the challenges they’re facing within them, and they’re trying to discover these answers by talking through issues with someone else.

A good coach / balcony person gets more satisfaction in helping and supporting others to discover and create wins themselves, rather than being the source of the solution.

4. Balcony people have the courage to share constructive feedback – even when it’s difficult.

I’ve found that the people who care most about my success are the people in my life who are willing to deliver constructive criticism when I need it. They’re also the people who help me the most to improve and continue to grow.

However, if you’re considering giving someone that you support difficult feedback – even if they’ve asked for your opinion – keep in mind mutual trust and respect must be present for it to be received in the way that you might intend. If you haven’t invested enough time in the relationship yet to develop these critical aspects, focus instead on asking thoughtful questions. (As indicated above.)

By asking good questions, the person may discover some of the issues on their own, and your support of them in this process will go a long way to developing the trust needed to make future interactions most impactful.

Do you know who the balcony people are in your own life?

If you have a balcony person (or people) in your life, consider yourself blessed! These types of people are some of the most valuable folks to have in your network.

I encourage you to take the time today to send them a quick note, text or call, and let them know how much their support, belief, and encouragement means to you.

I also encourage you to multiply your blessings by being intentional about being a balcony person for someone else. The first step is to identify who that person will be, and then create an intentional plan to invest in their life. 🙌🏼

* Thank you to Mike Sipple Sr. for being my balcony person back in 2010. Your belief in and support of me helped me to pursue my dream, which I’m still living today. You’ll always be one of the best examples of what a balcony person should be – to me, and to so many others whose lives you have touched over the years.

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As a keynote speaker and leadership coach, Jennifer McClure helps leaders to embrace the future of work, and to develop the skills necessary to lead their organizations and the people on their teams to take bold actions that positively impact business results.

Want more leadership and future of work insights from me?

SUBSCRIBE to get my weekly Impact Makers newsletter delivered to your inbox!

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Leading by Influence, Not Authority: 6 Steps to Elevate Your Leadership Game

If you’re a leader of people in your organization, I’ve got great news for you!

You’re in the best position possible to drive business growth, and to create positive and meaningful change in your organization, as well as in the lives of the people that you lead and serve.

In other words, your team needs you, and they need you to share your ideas and expertise in order to grow and successfully navigate the challenges that lie ahead.

However, it’s one thing to have ideas – because everybody has ideas – but the only way that your ideas will actually be heard, and ultimately implemented, is if you’ve done the necessary work ahead of time to build your influence.

3 Do’s and 3 Don’ts To Increase Your Influence

DO – Make decisions

Share your ideas and unique perspectives on situations encountered by your team members, and in your business. When appropriate, invite and consider ideas and opinions from others, but remember, as a leader, it’s important for you to be decisive.

It’s also important to remember that being decisive doesn’t necessarily mean that as the leader, you have to make all of the decisions. Sometimes, the best decision is to delegate, and sometimes the best decision is to provide a framework and permission where others are able to make decisions on their own. For example, this article in the MIT Sloan Management Review – Effective Leaders Decide About Deciding – shares a great framework for how leaders can help their teams make faster decisions.

DO – Develop your network and your Personal Brand

To be effective in organizations today, you must be able to influence people.

How do you develop influence?

One of the best ways to be seen as influential inside your organization is to be viewed as influential outside of it.

Build your reputation as someone who is well-connected, sought out by others, and who represents your profession/your company/your team well. Share your experience through mentoring and coaching others, volunteering with networking and professional groups, writing for industry and professional publications, and through regular posting on LinkedIn.

The most influential people are those that others want to be involved, because their experience, relationships, and ideas create impact.

DO – Always bring data

Do your homework and demonstrate your expertise by evaluating what’s happening in the global marketplace, within your industry, and among your competitors.

Use that information to inform decisions, and always make a connection between your ideas, proposals and recommendations to the bottom-line.

DON’T – Hide behind policies and laws

One of the quickest paths to being perceived as someone with little influence is to try to force compliance, or to put obstacles in someone’s path by quoting policies or laws – which is the corporate-speak equivalent of “I just don’t want you to do that.”

Help others to understand the intentions and implications of the rules, and work to identify solutions that incorporate them.

DON’T – Take conflict personally

If you’ve ever wished for a quote from The Godfather that you can apply to work, here it is:

It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.

Conflict can be a good thing on the path to the best ideas and solutions – but only if it’s healthy. When healthy conflict is viewed as a benefit, it can open our eyes to new ideas, teach us to be better listeners, and lead to better solutions.

Increase your influence by ensuring that when conflict arises in the workplace, it’s healthy and positive. Listen when others criticize your ideas or disagree with your recommendations, ask thoughtful questions to better understand their point of view, and provide constructive feedback to others when you disagree or don’t understand.

DON’T – Wait to be told what to do

Have you ever found yourself saying, “Nobody asked me!” If so, that’s a problem – and it’s your problem, not theirs.

Be vigilant and seek to understand any challenges or opportunities that are facing the business, and proactively identify how you and your team can best help the organization to deliver upon strategic objectives.

If you want to be heard, don’t wait to take action.

Want To Increase Your Influence?

If you want to be the one providing leadership on your team’s path to success, focus on building relationships and influence now with key leaders in your organization, in your industry, and in your profession.

By increasing your influence, you’ll be able to get your ideas heard.

As a keynote speaker and leadership coach, Jennifer McClure helps leaders to embrace the future of work, and to develop the skills necessary to lead their organizations and the people on their teams to take bold actions that positively impact business results.

Want more leadership and future of work insights from me?

SUBSCRIBE to get my weekly Impact Makers newsletter delivered to your inbox!

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Poetry, Hip Hop, and HR: Creativity and Leading in the Future of Work With Arend Boersema

Have you ever thought of poetry as a tool for revolutionizing your thought process and sparking creativity? Well, my guest on episode 84 of the Impact Makers podcast has!

Arend Boersema, is a human resources leader, hip-hop enthusiast, spoken word poet and writer, and in our conversation, he shares how we can use art forms like poetry to disrupt our thinking, and to unlock creativity in the workplace.

Having lived in various countries and cultures around the world, Arend embraces his diverse identity as a global citizen, and utilizes his passions and experience to help leaders to tap into their creativity, and to think differently about work and life. He’s a firm believer that writing poetry can be a useful activity to explore self-expression and uncover new ideas.

During the pandemic, Arend found solace in writing and capturing his experiences through spoken word poetry, and this creative expression culminated in the publication of his book, “Poetry at the Heart of Business.”

As an HR and organizational development expert, Arend incorporates spoken word poetry, hip-hop, and haikus into training classes, retreats, and summits as tools to encourage creative thinking, and to foster a sense of community among participants.

This episode is a fascinating blend of art, creativity, and leadership that you wouldn’t want to miss. I hope that it sparks something in you, and inspires you to use poetry, hip hop lyrics, or some other form of art that you may be passionate about to engage your own creativity and self-expression in your leadership journey going forward.

Topics Discussed In Today’s Episode:

  • The importance of HR in creating a positive employee experience and fostering company culture.
  • How incorporating storytelling and spoken word poetry into your work can make concepts and feelings come to life in unique ways.
  • How embracing creativity and self-expression can enhance leadership skills and help us to connect with others on a deeper level.
  • Using poetry and art as tools for personal growth, self-reflection, and making sense of the world.

LISTEN TO IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 84

Listen on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts or Spotify

People & Resources Mentioned In This Episode:

Arend Boersema – Website, LinkedIn Profile

Book – Poetry at the Heart of Business : Spoken Word Poetry Exploring the Concept of Company Culture & Belonging by Arend Boersema

DisruptHR Philadelphia Talk – Do You Even Hear Yourself? (Leadership & Self-Reflection) | Arend Boersema

DisruptHR Philadelphia Talk – Turns Out, You Can Fix Stupid | Arend Boersema

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