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Thank you to the 1,400 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 questions!
I hope reading
helps you in your leadership.
Cheers,
Jonno White
7 Questions with Tami Leigh
7 Questions with Tami Leigh
Name: Tami Leigh
Current title: CEO/Workplace Therapist
Current organisation: Tami Leigh Consulting
The workplace has a far deeper relevance than earning a paycheque or providing a product or service. As a Partner and VP Operations in an International Recruitment Agency for 20 years, I learned first-hand what works, and what doesn’t, within organizations. I am very much aware of the common patterns of actions and behaviors with their “cause and effect” impact - either positive or negative. Through her successes and challenges both professionally as well as personally, I quickly identify the structural, emotional, psychological and intellectual struggles on each side of an employment situation. My unique, therapeutic approach assists to create solutions for balance, functionality and healthy, productive workplaces.
My hobby is collecting friends, listening to their stories. Being a storyteller, herself, her humorous anecdotes from her experiences and strengths offer hope and solutions. The Calgary area is her home, but growing up in rural Manitoba created her down to earth values. In her roles as mother, entrepreneur, sister, volunteer, horse lover/owner I spend time supporting family, friends and clients. I have to say though, my favorite role ever is being “Nana'' to nine very special young souls.
1. What have you found most challenging as a leader of a small or medium enterprise?
I find keeping up with all the changes in technology quite a challenge. It is exciting, the learning curve can delay doing what I want or need to do.
2. How did you become a leader of an SME? Can you please briefly tell the story?
I've been self employed my career, except my first adult job at a bank for two years. When I needed to leave the partnership, I ventured out on my own and into a new industry.
Helping others and organizations was a compilation of my entire work and personal history.
3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?
Being self employed has some challenges to structure. Some days are all work and some are all play but mostly it's a combination that works best with some systematic structure. setting appointments on certain days, doing certain tasks daily, weekly or monthly at the same day/time helps to keep me moving forward.
4. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?
That I need help. I need others who are experienced in their chosen fields to be the experts in my business.
5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?
As a compassionate leader, I lean toward more spiritual books. My go to is always "The Wisdom of the Enneagram" by Russ Hudson and Don Riso and Richard Wagamese's book, "Embers, One Ojibwa's Meditations". Both keep me grounded, learning, growing and relating to the people I work with.
6. How do you build leadership capacity in an SME?
Autonomy is always my focus within my own business and as a business consultant. Helping individuals and organizations gain their ability to own their jobs, lives and company so they can be self directed, collectively, is a key to building leadership in myself and others.
7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a leader of an SME so far?
I have many meaningful encounters. Stepping into my authentic nature was a challenge for me. Abuse was a big part of my historical story. Overcoming the effects of abuse was an arduous journey.
When teaching, I share honestly about my life when it fits in with someone's struggles. During a training seminar, a woman shared her experience with abuse in the workplace with us all. It stopped our hearts.
I knew I was in the right place, doing the right thing for the right people. We cannot give what we don't have so it was important for me to accept, do the work and turn something disabling into my best gift. thanks for asking.