Taking time off is essential for fostering creativity, innovation, and effective leadership within organizations, as emphasized by Shelly Paxton, former CMO of Harley Davidson. She shares her profound journey from perceived success to a deeper understanding of fulfillment, illustrating the importance of aligning personal values with professional life. Through engaging discussions, Shelly highlights the significance of setting boundaries to cultivate a healthier work culture and invites listeners to reflect on their own definitions of success. The conversation navigates the challenges leaders face in balancing personal and professional lives, encouraging a shift towards conscious leadership practices. By examining what energizes and drains us, Shelly offers actionable insights for creating meaningful change in both individual lives and organizational cultures.

Shelly Paxton, former CMO of Harley Davidson, recounts her transformative journey from corporate success to conscious living, highlighting the disconnection between societal definitions of success and personal fulfillment. Despite achieving a high-ranking position in a legendary brand, Shelly experienced an emptiness that led her to question the very foundations of her career. She emphasizes the importance of understanding one's values and aligning them with actions, urging leaders to set boundaries that foster well-being. Scott and Shelly discuss the necessity of taking time off as a catalyst for creativity and innovation, and how modeling such behaviors can shift organizational culture. The conversation invites listeners to reflect on their own definitions of success and the steps they can take to align their lives with their true values, ultimately advocating for a more conscious and authentic approach to leadership.

Takeaways:

• Taking time off is essential for enhancing creativity, innovation, and effective leadership.
• Success should be defined personally, focusing on feelings rather than societal expectations.
• Leaders can influence organizational culture by modeling healthy boundaries and prioritizing well-being.
• Understanding and aligning with personal values can lead to a more fulfilling career.
• Engaging in self-reflection exercises helps identify energy-draining tasks and fulfilling activities.
• Creating a dialogue about work-life balance normalizes the importance of individual well-being in the workplace.

Links and Resources:

• Shelly Paxton on LinkedIn
• shelleypaxton.com
• Changing Work
• Scott Shute on LinkedIn
• Nicholas Whitaker on LinkedIn
• Aimee Serene on LinkedIn

Thanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Changing Work? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube to leave us a review!