Do You Have The Courage To Be An Extraordinary Leader?

“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.” - Peter F. Drucker

At a recent networking meeting, I had the opportunity to hear Pernille Spiers-Lopez speak.

Danish born, Pernille immigrated to the United States about 26 years ago as a young woman. After a few jobs that didn’t pan out for her, she found herself working in the Marketplace at Ikea, an international home furnishings retail chain originating from Sweden. Rising quickly through the company, Pernille was vaulted to become President of Ikea North America in 1997. An innovator and change advocate, she shared that her rise to success and personal life satisfaction was tremendously aided by her commitment to her spiritual and personal growth journey.

I had the privilege to be seated at her table with a small group and immediately recognized a kindred spirit. While she delivered her speech, I sat there and grinned as she echoed many of the things I continually talk and write about.

Here are the keys to success she spoke about:

1. Know your values – what you stand for. Live your life in alignment with your values so that you are being true to who you are.

2. Grow yourself as a person; invest in yourself and your people. As a result of changes she initiated at Ikea that were employee supportive, the chain has shown increases in profits and employee retention. Personally, she credits her own consciousness journey as adding more joy and peace to her life as well as helping her to be an effective leader.

3. Be courageous. As President of Ikea, she initiated multiple company changes that dramatically increased employee retention including: addressing flexibility needs, creating a “quiet room” for nursing mothers, and substantially increasing the number of women and minorities in management She spoke quite a bit about being willing to trust herself in her choices and actions. Knowing who she is gives her courage to make the tough and easier decisions as a leader, wife and mother with compassion and strength.

4. Surround yourself with good people. In addition to building a strong workforce, she mentioned her participation in two business groups gives her additional support in being successful.

5. Embrace innovation and change. She sees possibilities and improvement in the experience of change to be inviting rather than fearing the unknown. Attitude affects how we view things - as a positive or a negative; compelling or repelling. With all of the positive innovations she has initiated at work, she commented with a small laugh that her teams have asked her not to make any more big changes this year. Her pride in what she has accomplished as a leader at Ikea was evident.

6. Be passionate. What makes you feel the most alive, calls to your heart, and brings you the most joy? She acknowledged how her passion fuels her courage and willingness to show up.

7. Take a stand for what you believe in no matter if it’s an unpopular position or meets resistance. Trust in yourself and inner knowing without wavering when you feel solidly clear about something you believe in. Hold onto that power without giving it away to others. Her passion and trust in her instincts and abilities empowers her to stand strong as a leader. She stated she is not afraid to stand up for her values and fight for what she believes is right.

8. Set personal and business boundaries. With her busy schedule, Pernille clearly states that when she’s at work, she is fully focused on the demands of her job. She works 8-5, has no Blackberry, and turns her cell phone off when she’s at home. What keeps her strong is listening to her body and her intuition while having strong work-life balance boundaries. She’s learned to separate her work and home life so that she can be fully present to what matters most in her life.

Her favorite books include:

“The Art of Possibility” – by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander (One of my all-time favorites too!!!)

“7 Habits of Highly Effective People” – by Stephen Covey (a classic)

“The Alchemist” – by Paulo Coelho

“The Leader Within” - by Drea Zigarmi, Ken Blanchard, Michael O’Connor, & Carl Edeburn

“The Dance” – by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

I found her presentation inspirational and confirming. We are the Creators of our own life; the architects of the reality we wish to create. The inner journey of personal growth is a critical component to creating a life filled with successes and failures (learning experiences) that lead to the fulfillment of deep desires, prosperity, and happiness.

Whether you run a company, lead a team, head a household, sit on a committee, or work with people to achieve a shared goal, we’re all leaders. You might be behind the scenes or highly visible in your company, your leadership contribution is critical to your organization’s success. At a minimum, you are the leader of your own life.

Passion is a great motivator and catalyst. When we align our decisions and actions with our passions, values, and soul path, our life can takes on greater meaning and joy.

Consider the following questions:

1. What are you passionate about?

2. How is your passion expressed in your life?

3. Where might you be holding back and suppressing your passion (s)? (fears, doubts, limiting beliefs)

4. What gives you courage? Recall some of the bravest things you’ve done that you’re proud of.

5. In what do you totally trust?

6. What are you gratefull for?

7. How can you use your trust courage, and gratitude to unleash your passions to be more fully expressed and live the life you are meant to live?

8. What are you ready to say YES to TODAY?

9. What actions will you commit to taking in the next 30 days? What do you need to help you succeed? (accountability partner, systems and structures, a coach, a therapist)..

Have a terrific day!



Do You Have The Courage To Be An Extraordinary Leader? - To learn more about this author, visit Lorraine Cohen's Website.

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