Leaders - The Overwhelm can be a real speed bump on the journey, whether you have a team or you're leading from somewhere else in your life... Leadership is as much a responsibility as it is a privilege. So, what can we learn from others when it comes to making the leadership path simpler? We can listen to their stories. We can learn from their lessons. We can strive to live by their example. In this episode, Ashley Mielke speaks with vulnerability about her experiences as a leader and as the conversation evolves, it becomes all too clear that there are some very basic principles that can make all the difference.

Let's start by re-introducing you to Ashley (check out our first interview in Season 1). Ashley Mielke is a Registered Psychologist and Founder and CEO of The Grief and Trauma Healing Centre: a multi- location, large group private practice with locations in Alberta and Manitoba.

Ashley is a sought-after international speaker, trainer, thought leader on grief, and a business consultant for therapists who are seeking to grow and scale their group practices. She is also a wife, mother, and third-year doctoral student completing a Doctor of Psychology degree program through California Southern University. When Ashley is not in the office mentoring her team, consulting to help therapists with their practices, or speaking at events and conferences, she can be found at the rink playing hockey, soaking in time with her family, or exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Hawaii: a place that she holds dear to her heart.

Ashley is a heart-centred and purpose-driven leader who instils hope and healing through her story of resilience and overcoming. Her greatest sense of fulfillment comes from connecting with others and empowering them to uncover the resilience of hope—the hope that can only be found in the midst of great challenges and journeys through grief.

In this episode, Kristen and Ashley dive into "getting back to the basics" when it comes to leadership principles. Transparency, presence, visibility, accessibility, flexibility, and vulnerability. They also reflect on the common denominator of communication when it comes to serving with a team. So many of these ideas seem obvious when we put them front and centre, and yet putting them into daily practice is something that many leaders struggle with. As Ashley and Kristen discuss, it can easily get burnt out from wanting to do it all and be everything to everyone - and as such, it is so important for leaders to be mindful of how they prioritize their time (and really - what trumps your PEOPLE when it comes to setting priorities?).

We encourage you to listen closely for other tips and tricks that Ashley shares about authentic leadership - there are plenty of take-away strategies infused throughout this conversation! If you're looking for the "how" to grow and enhance your leadership skills... this episode is for you.

We're grateful that Ashley opened up with her own experiences as an ever-growing, highly-respected leader both in her business and her community. Reach out and let us know if this episode resonates for you!