My Leadership Story
I’ve shared my leadership story from being a kid who suffered from anxiety and depression to starting my own support group for mental health awareness. This is a very personal story, and I’m blessed to have such supportive fellow students that I feel safe sharing this story. I have talked many times over these ten weeks about my passion for helping others and to do something especially for mental health awareness. Making this podcast was another first time experience for me, and I’m grateful for all thing new things I got to learn and do in this course. I’m attaching the audio file here, and I’ll just let it tell the rest of the story.
It is so satisfying that even at a small age you started a group and how you came over from a stage called depression. I too have seen many phases of my life feeling so depressed but I feel blessed to have my friends around me to help me out. This very new idea adopted by you to even help others is so much applauding and hearing that most of them are students is sad but you are really doing a great job to enlighten their minds and giving them a very positive feeling. It is always great to read your blogs throughout the course. I have developed a huge respect for you.
Thank you for sharing your leadership story.
Thank you so much your kind words. Your every word means a lot to me and it inspires me to keep doing all these things. Like i said i’m so grateful to have such supportive fellow stidents.
Hi Shaaz,
I’m excited to listen to your podcast! However, I wasn’t able to open it. Perhaps you could upload it again unless I’m the only one having difficulties opening it. 🙂
Warmly,
Lara
Hi Lara,
I’m so sorry for the inconvenience. I know it does take a couple minutes to load. Try giving it a couple minutes to load and if it still doesn’t work, let me know. Excited to hear your reviews.
Thank you for sharing your leadership story and the core value of this insight. Supporting well-being and providing a real-life example of how your strategy worked out and how guided you through a series of problem-solving that worked effectively. Helping others in their healing process and finding their safe space in their community without being judged. Regarding, mental health awareness for employees studies found; spending 5 minutes per week viewing a short video clip or reading a document or even take a break time, have a positive psychological effect on wellness and productivity and increase mental health awareness at the workplace.
I’m glad you liked my story and I appreciate your support. I completely agree with your points and indeed spending 5 minutes to take a break does help a lot.
Shaaz,
I appreciate your vulnerability in sharing your leadership story with us. What is so powerful about this is that, all too many times, we see vulnerability as a form of weakness in ourselves. However, you have not only shown great courage yourself in sharing your story, but also provided courage to so many others. What a gift to give your group — and the world!
This awareness of the struggles in life is a strong foundation upon which to build your leadership — in fact, I expect it will provide you many meaningful opportunities for leadership throughout your life.
It seems to me that your story is a living example of what Brene Brown (2017) describes as a “strong back and a soft front.” In her book, Braving the Wilderness (2017). She writes, “If we’re going to make true belonging a daily practice in our lives, we’re going to need a strong back and a soft front” (p. 148) , and “Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, joy, trust, intimacy, courage — everything that brings meaning to our life” (p. 153).
Thanks for sharing your strong back and soft front with us!
— Leadership Prof
Thank you so much for your inspiring words, it means a lot to me. Indeed, vulnerability is considered a weakness but to me, it is my biggest strength. When you are comfortable in being yourself, you can achieve great things. Yes, being vulnerable is scary but I have learned my best lessons in those times. Also, I find the strong back and soft front concept to be so beautiful and true.
Shazz, well done being the hero of your own life. Not just getting well, but encouraging almost 200 other individuals to a healthier life. Amazing that you wouldn’t change a thing knowing that your struggle and triumph helps others and that you take notice when you suspect someone else is struggling. Really inspiring.
Thank you so much for your beautiful words. I’ve come to a conclusion in my life that if I had not gone through that dark phase, I wouldn’t have been able to understand other’s pain or how to help them. This also reminds me every day that there is something good even behind the most testing times.