Leadership Reflection Paper

I received a call from a young lady I met at a self-improvement seminar given at The Peace Center. I was asked to speak on Leadership: Striving for the Incredible. After the seminar, I met with Janet Johnson, an office manager at Lewis Paper Company. Janet expressed the seminar gave her things to think on in determining her future plans. I gave Janet my card and said that if she needed my services she could call and discuss a private leadership coaching relationship. Janet conveyed her feeling of dissatisfaction in her current position. Janet had energy and excitement in her conversation, yet there was something lacking in Janet. Three months after the seminar, I received a call from Janet Johnson wanting to set up a consultation appointment

I informed Janet that I was not a counselor nor mentor. I cited Dr. Tim Clinton in the lecture Life Leadership: What Separates People (n. d), “Don’t get distracted by that which is insignificant but focus on those things that will take you to your goals” (p. 3). Janet was 28 years old, single with no children. She was in a long relationship, but it ended as she felt it lack any future potential. Janet was college educated, lived modestly, saved money, and desire to own her own greeting card and stationary company. Janet’s current position does not offer a bright future. However, due to her diligence and hard work she gained a promotion and the attention of upper management. Yet, Janet wanted more and to utilize her creative potential as a greeting card and stationary publisher. Janet had a fear of striking on her own and managing her own staff. Everyone around Janet told her not to follow her passion and keep her good job. Janet had a spark in her eye and conversation when speaking of her publishing company. Janet researched the industry and worked within one facet of the business. Janet needed motivation and encouragement to boldly step out in faith and live for herself within her own happy place. Janet was a leader without awareness, totally dismissing her position and

Janet had an idea but no concrete written business plan. Bain et al (n. d) in the lecture Essential Elements to Effective Leadership Coaching inform, “Plans need to be written down, measurable and attainable but stretching” (p. 2). Janet apprised me that her sister was a business plan writer and asked Janet to let her work with her to do a business plan for Janet’s business idea. I encouraged Janet to begin the writing, she needed to derive how she wanted her business structured, location, a start-up budget and its mission statement. Janet excitement came with a flurry of ideas and loose ends that need attention. I calmed Janet down and told she needed to set other goals and milestones to place her in position. I cited Tony Stoltzfus (2005) “in order to grow as a leader, a person must gradually increase in ability to take initiative and bear responsibility” (p. 67). I suggested Janet get her business plan complete and use that as our blueprint to