Embracing Joy and Adventure in Leadership with Jen Recla

In this episode of 'Empathy Unbound, Embrace Your Superpower,' host Andrew welcomes Jen Recla, a leadership coach and mentor with over 15 years of experience. Jen shares insights from her journey, starting from her early passion for dance and performing arts to her current role in guiding professionals toward growth and joy in their careers.

She discusses her use of strengths such as Woo, Maximizer, Communication, Futuristic, and Arranger - concepts derived from the CliftonStrengths assessment - to create impactful and adventurous learning experiences. Jen also delves into handling work-life harmony, the importance of failure in personal development, and how her values of fun and adventure drive her professional and personal life.

Throughout the conversation, they explore the evolving workplace dynamics, challenges faced by leaders, and the importance of authentic connections. The episode concludes with practical advice for fostering a growth mindset, balancing work and personal life, and the significance of self-care and setting boundaries.

00:00 Introduction to Jen Recla

00:52 Jen's Early Journey and Career Beginnings

03:14 Life in Colorado and Family Adventures

04:46 Understanding CliftonStrengths

09:55 Challenges in Leadership and Time Management

14:22 The Debate on Remote and Hybrid Work

19:42 Finding Joy in Work

25:58 Work-Life Harmony

31:30 Embracing Failure for Growth

34:28 Embracing Failure as a Learning Tool

36:18 Teaching Resilience to Children

38:10 Generational Differences in the Workplace

40:52 The Importance of Individuality

47:38 Finding Joy and Adventure in Life

50:23 Coping with Darker Days

56:06 Practicing Preventative Self-Care

01:03:38 Future Aspirations and Visioning

Learn more about Jen's work here and sign up for weekly growth challenges. Or connect with her on LinkedIn.

www.jenrecla.com