Lately, I’ve been hearing about a lot of people bravely uploading their personal or brand profiles to AI to see what kind of feedback (or roasting) it would provide. Then they post the results on social media.
Some of the responses are funny in a “I hope you have thick skin” kind of way, but for many people, it becomes a surprising moment of reflection.
When you see yourself through another’s eyes—especially when that ‘other’ is an AI—it can challenge your perception of how others view you or your brand.
Whether provided with gentle humor or sledge-hammer-like delivery, feedback often exposes areas we didn’t realize needed attention. This kind of reflection, and the resilience required to grow from it, is a hallmark of leadership.
We face challenges—sometimes from external forces, and sometimes from within. The question is: How do we respond?
In this week’s episode of the Speaking to Influence , Liz Ross, CEO of Shift Paradigm, shares multiple personal experiences coming face to face with all of the above!
First, she levies a challenge that she has also taken, incorporating two essential AI prompts to accurately gauge how the world sees you.
Then she shares a personal story about facing adversity (understatement!) when a lack of transparency caused turmoil within her organization.
Just like that AI feedback, it forced Liz to pause and reflect on the way she was leading, and how miscommunication was impacting her team. She realized that as a leader, she needed to address the “big rocks”—the immovable obstacles—while also being honest about uncertainties.
Like what?
How about when you have to totally change direction on a $300,000,000 (yes, that’s $300 MILLION) campaign? (That’s a heck of a rock!)
Her insights offer a roadmap for on-going resilience in business leadership:
- How transparency within a framework is key to navigating uncertainty. Without it, disruption thrives.
- Why leaders must acknowledge the immovable priorities in a business and communicate them clearly, even when there are no perfect answers.
- How embracing opposing force personalities in your team is crucial to being able to see your own blind spots, even if it’s uncomfortable.
- The power of resilience in disagreement lies in understanding the difference between resistance and healthy conflict—one hinders progress, the other drives it.
This podcast is a great reminder that leadership isn't about having all the answers but about facing adversity with reflection and transparency.
Listen to the full conversation here or watch the video on Youtube here.
Tonight’s Debate: A Case Study in Leadership Communication and Influence
Tonight brings a different kind of challenge as the first (and possibly last) presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris takes place. Regardless of political affiliation, what’s important to note is how this event provides a live case study for all of us to observe leadership communication and resilience in action—sometimes in the face of an actual adversary.
I’ll be tuning in to analyze the do's and don'tsof effective communication during the debate.
As always, my lens will remain apolitical, focusing instead on potential leadership lessonsstemming from:
- How do these candidates handle pressure?
- How do they respond when their positions are challenged?
- How do they engage their audience and convey their vision amidst adversity?
Tomorrow morning, I’ll be sharing my key takeaways—lessons that can help us all lead and communicate more effectively in times of uncertainty.
(Note: If you'd prefer not to receive those messages, simply reply to this email with “No politics please,” and I’ll make sure you don’t receive future analyses.)
And it’s not just in a newsletter or blog post!
I’m excited to share that at ~8:15 a.m. tomorrow (Wednesday), I’ll be discussing these findings live on PHL17's morning news with Kelsey Fabian. If you’re outside the Philadelphia area, you can still watch via the PHL17 livestream at phl17.com.
Remembering those loved and lost…
Finally, tomorrow also marks the 23rd anniversary of 9/11—a day that challenged us all in ways we never imagined. In a deeply personal way, it’s a day of reflection for me, as I remember my cousin, Matthew Horning, and my high school friend, Chris Ingrassia, who both lost their lives in the World Trade Center attacks.
September 11th reminds us that adversity comes in many forms—sometimes personal, sometimes global. Leadership in the wake of such tragedies is about resilience, the ability to reflect, and the courage to carry on.
Whether it's bouncing back from a business disruption, facing a professional critique, or rebuilding in the aftermath of disaster, resilience is the key to growth and renewal.
As we honor the memories of those lost, we also strive to lead with strength and compassion, no matter what challenges come our way.
