Last year, I launched a Spring Leadership Series to think about leadership in nontraditional ways. As 2024 continued, I presented additional ways to think about leadership during my Olympics Leadership Series and Holiday Leadership Series. With a new year upon us, I've invited 25 thought leaders to share their responses to five questions relating to team-building, reading, and leadership. My #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 began the first day of Spring and continues through June 20th, the first day of Summer.
Before we begin, I'd like to applaud two special individuals for providing the inspiration for this series. First, big applause goes to Erika Andersen, a leadership expert and author who I've had the pleasure of knowing for nearly 15 years, and she's appeared on my blog 13 times since 2011. She wrote an article for Forbes entitled, "How Springtime Can Make Us Better Leaders," and that article serves as the core of the series as its first question. Second, I also applaud Joseph Lalonde, a leadership expert and author of a book called REEL LEADERSHIP, for planting the seeds for last year's Spring Leadership Series on my blog. After I read Joe's book, I started looking at movies as well as works of fiction, TV shows, and TV characters with "leadership-tinted glasses."
For today's post, I'd like to introduce Debbie Szumylo. Debbie is a Senior Manager of Customer and Employee Experience at Elite, leveraging 20 years of expertise in the industry. With nearly a decade at Elite, she enhances customer and employee satisfaction through a customer-facing online community, surveys, and journey mapping. Her key achievements include boosting client retention, launching an internal recognition program, and managing online communities. Additionally, Debbie plays a pivotal role in developing internal training programs, shaping the employee experience, and leading the development of Elite's Values.
QUESTION: Leadership expert and author Erika Andersen wrote an article for Forbes entitled, "How Springtime Can Make Us Better Leaders." In the article, Erika compared gardening to management and leadership. What are your thoughts, or was there something that stood out from the article?
DEBBIE SZUMYLO: There is a quote from Alexander Den Heijer, "When a flower doesn't bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower." This quote gets to the heart of what leaders should focus on: creating the right environment for their team members to thrive. And Erika Andersen's article really resonated with that idea.
The comparison between gardening and leadership is a powerful one. If a flower isn't blooming, you don't try to fix the flower itself - you adjust the conditions around it. That's basically what leaders should be doing. They should be creating an environment that's conducive to growth, collaboration, and success.
What I loved about Andersen's article was how she emphasized the importance of understanding each team member's unique needs. Just as a gardener needs to know which plants require sunlight and water, leaders need to know how to tailor their approach to each team member. That way, you're not just trying to force change, but actually creating an environment where people can flourish.
It's a really beautiful way to think about leadership, and it's definitely something I'll be keeping in mind as I go forward.
SHARE THIS: Just as a gardener needs to know which plants require sunlight and water, leaders need to know how to tailor their approach to each team member. ~Debbie Szumylo #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog
QUESTION: What was the most recent example of inspiring leadership that made an impact on you?
DEBBIE SZUMYLO: No longer leading her country, but I immediately think of Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand. Ardern's leadership beautifully illustrates how empathy and decisiveness can create real change. As Prime Minister of New Zealand, she responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by swiftly implementing lockdowns and providing honest communication, making people feel valued and supported.
After the Christchurch Mosque shootings, her compassionate response fostered unity, condemning violence, and supporting the Muslim community with swift action. Her approach is like good gardening: she prepares the soil through open communication, champions inclusivity, and isn't afraid to make tough decisions when needed.
Ardern reminds me that true leadership nurtures communities, showing that empathy and decisive action can help everyone flourish together.
QUESTION: What is your favorite team-building activity, and why?
DEBBIE SZUMYLO: I love the "Yes, And" exercise for several compelling reasons. It embodies creativity, positivity, and collaboration while encouraging a growth mindset. By building upon each other's ideas without judgment, we foster an environment where innovation thrives.
This exercise sharpens our listening skills, develops our ability to think on our feet, and enhances our problem-solving capabilities. As we work together, we gain valuable insights into each other's perspectives, establishing a deeper understanding and respect for one another.
The lasting impact of "Yes, And" is profound. It cultivates a culture of openness, encourages diverse perspectives, and inspires a supportive environment where feedback is welcomed. This exercise not only enhances our immediate interactions but also lays the groundwork for long-term success and resilience as a team.
QUESTION: Which book is on the top of your to-be-read pile, and why?
DEBBIE SZUMYLO: Reading is an escape for me. While I do read business books, much of my reading is fiction. However, on my TBR list for 2025, I am looking forward to digging into "Chief Joy Officer: How Great Leaders Elevate Human Energy and Eliminate Fear." I'm craving outlets where I can find joy and happiness these days, and this book seems to hit the mark. From what I've read, this book captures three key elements of being an effective leader:
(1) Empowerment and growth: As a leader, my role is to foster a culture of self-understanding and capability development, empowering everyone on the team. By encouraging collaboration and individual growth, leaders create a supportive environment that drives shared success.
(2) Transformational approach: I am responsible for emphasizing joy and energy in the workplace. By cultivating a positive and engaging atmosphere, I can boost morale and productivity, making work more fulfilling and aligned with the values that inspire both myself and my teams.
(3) Inclusive Perspective: My ability to influence both peers and superiors is vital for driving change. By adopting an inclusive mindset that values every voice, I can enhance my leadership skills and effectiveness as a change agent, fostering a collaborative environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute.
QUESTION: In the past year, has a TV show, film, or work of fiction stood out as a result of its emphasis on leadership?
DEBBIE SZUMYLO: The Hulu series THE BEAR offers an interesting exploration of leadership through the story of Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto, a young chef running his family's sandwich shop. Key aspects of his leadership include:
(1) Transformational leadership: Carmy's vision for his family's sandwich shop inspires change and excellence in his team. However, like a gardener who initially may prioritize a single type of plant, he struggles with inclusivity. Slowly, he learns to value diverse contributions over a singular focus.
(2) Team dynamics: Tasked with uniting a dysfunctional team, Carmy learns to recognize and leverage individual strengths. His journey emphasizes the importance of trust and collaboration, essential nutrients for a thriving team.
(3) Resilience and adaptability: Carmy demonstrates resilience under pressure, yet his intense approach stifles growth and creates tension. He learns that vulnerability can be a strength, allowing for deeper connections within the team.
(4) Emotional intelligence: Over time, Carmy develops greater empathy, using it to motivate and support his team. This growth in emotional awareness helps create a cohesive work environment.
(5) Work-life balance: Carmy's personal struggles highlight the necessity of maintaining balance for effective leadership. He realizes that prioritizing his own well-being is crucial for sustaining his leadership effectiveness.
Through his journey on The Bear, Carmy illustrates that effective leadership, much like cultivating a diverse garden, involves continuous learning, adaptation, and the ability to inspire growth while positively impacting those around him.
My gratitude to Debbie for sharing her leadership insights and for being a part of my #SpringLeadershipSeries2025. Did these questions open your eyes to think about leadership in nontraditional ways? That was the hope!
Image Credit: AlexRaths via DepositPhotos.
Read Erika Andersen's article, "How Springtime Can Make Us Better Leaders"
https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikaandersen/2015/05/14/how-springtime-can-make-us-better-leaders/
Connect with Debbie at this link:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dszumylo
