Sharissa Sebastian Deppen is the CEO of Leadership Mastery Alliance; a company specializing in supporting introverted servant leaders who are women in corporate leadership. She's a leadership and executive coach with an MBA, MSc in Technology Leadership and her PCC Certification from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), as well as a Myers Briggs Certified Practitioner. She has 15+ years of corporate leadership experience in addition to coaching several Fortune 100 leaders and executives.
Summary In this episode, host Rick Meekins interviews Sharissa Deppen about making a massive impact as an introverted servant leader. Sharissa shares her background in the tech industry and how she transitioned into coaching and leadership. She discusses the struggles introverted leaders face and how they can excel by embracing their strengths. The conversation also covers the definition of introversion and servant leadership, the importance of setting boundaries, and navigating difficult conversations as a leader. Sharissa emphasizes the need for self-awareness and seeking external help when necessary. In this conversation, Sharissa Deppen discusses the challenges and strengths of introverted leaders. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and self-care for introverts, as well as the need to reach out for help when needed. Sharissa also highlights the superpowers of introverted leaders, such as empathy, deliberate communication, and strong personal connections. She encourages introverts to embrace their unique qualities and not minimize their value. Additionally, she addresses the identity of being a servant leader and the importance of defining it for oneself. Sharissa also discusses the specific struggles and needs of women introverted servant leaders. The conversation concludes with a giveaway of a TED Talk on finding happiness in the workplace and ways to get in touch with Sharissa for coaching support.
Takeaways - Introverted leaders can make a massive impact by embracing their strengths and aligning with their purpose. Introversion is about where you get your energy from, and introverts tend to recharge by being alone and reflecting.
- Servant leadership is about valuing others, empathy, and focusing on service. Setting boundaries is crucial for introverted servant leaders to avoid burnout and prioritize their well-being.
- Difficult conversations are a part of leadership, and it's important to focus on the best interest of everyone involved while maintaining respect and empathy.
- Recognizing the need for external help and seeking coaching or mentorship can provide valuable guidance and support for introverted leaders. Introverted leaders need to be self-aware and honest with themselves about what is and isn't working for them.
- Self-care is crucial for introverted leaders to recharge and maintain their well-being. Introverted leaders have superpowers such as empathy, deliberate communication, and strong personal connections. It's important for introverted leaders to embrace their unique qualities and not minimize their value.
- Defining one's identity as a servant leader is personal and can help guide one's actions and values.
- Women introverted servant leaders often struggle with self-doubt and questioning their value, and they need support and encouragement. Finding happiness in the workplace is possible by bringing joy, purpose, and connection back into one's work.
- Introverted leaders should reach out for coaching or mentorship to gain clarity and find fulfillment in their careers.
- It's never too late to find a career path that aligns with one's passions and strengths.
Chapters - 00:00: Introduction and Background
- 05:11: Understanding Introversion
- 07:51: Defining Servant Leadership
- 09:14: Balancing Boundaries and Services
- 13:07: Overcoming Perceptions and People-Pleasing
- 21:13: Embracing the Superpowers of Introverted Leaders
- 23:16: Defining Identity as a Servant Leader
- 26:11: Supporting Women Introverted Servant Leaders
- 36:48: Seeking Help and Support as an Introverted Leader
- 37:44: Finding Fulfillment in Your Career as an Introverted Leader
