Debbie Laskey's Blog: SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES 2025

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 Elia Guardiola. Based in Madrid, Spain, Elia has been an international speaker for 10 years for corporate training programs worldwide and is also a professor at international universities and business schools in Spain and Latin America. She is the Founder of the StoryEmotion School, and since 2021, has been an official speaker at the e-World Marketing Summit led by Professor Philip Kotler. Elia has developed her own methodology for creating impactful storytelling with powerful narratives that drive results for corporations and businesses of all sizes and industries. She is a co-author of several books on Marketing and Communication; and is also the creator of the Four Pillars of Emotional Marketing, which are taught in programs at international universities.

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?
ELIA GUARDIOLA: Erika Andersen's article draws a compelling parallel between gardening and leadership, emphasizing the importance of renewal and growth. As leaders, embracing the concept of starting fresh, much like in spring, allows us to invigorate our teams and encourage development. This analogy underscores the need for nurturing environments where individuals can thrive, reflecting the cyclical nature of growth both in gardens and organizations.

QUESTION: What was the most recent example of inspiring leadership that made an impact on you?
ELIA GUARDIOLA: The story of Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, continues to be an inspiring leadership reference for me. His ability to transform the culture of such a massive company by focusing on empathy, inclusion, and innovation is truly impressive. Recently, I read an interview where he talked about the importance of curiosity and a growth mindset in leaders. It made me reflect on how, in our daily lives, we must remain open to learning and evolving, not just as professionals but as human beings.

QUESTION: What is your favorite team-building activity, and why?
ELIA GUARDIOLA: I love any activity that involves storytelling. One of my favorites is when each team member shares a personal story related to a core value of the company or team. Not only does it strengthen the connection between people, but it also fosters empathy and mutual understanding. In the end, leadership and teamwork are not just about productivity — they are about emotions, relationships, and shared purpose.

SHARE THIS: Leadership and teamwork are not just about productivity — they are about emotions, relationships, and shared purpose. ~@EliaGuardiola #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: Which book is on the top of your to-be-read pile, and why?
ELIA GUARDIOLA: I'm really looking forward to reading The Persuaders by Anand Giridharadas because I'm fascinated by everything related to communication, storytelling, and persuasion in leadership. This book explores how ideas can influence and transform societies. I believe it's an essential read for those of us working in storytelling and strategic communication.

QUESTION: In the past year, has a TV show, film, or work of fiction stood out as a result of its emphasis on leadership?
ELIA GUARDIOLA: Without a doubt, The Bear has had a huge impact on me. Although it's set in the world of gastronomy, it brilliantly portrays leadership in its most human form — chaotic, emotional, and full of learning experiences. The protagonist, Carmy, is a leader in the making, with all his strengths and flaws. I find it a powerful representation of how leadership is not just about giving orders but about inspiring, adapting, learning from mistakes, and, above all, connecting with the team through vulnerability.

My gratitude to Elia 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!

Debbie Laskey's Blog

Friday, May 2, 2025

SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES 2025 – Featuring Elia Guardiola

SHARE THIS: Leadership and teamwork are not just about productivity — they are about emotions, relationships, and shared purpose. ~@EliaGuardiola #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

SHARE THIS: Brands using storytelling have more opportunities to make their audience fall in love with them. ~@EliaGuardiola via @telecoming #DebbieLaskeysBlog

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