I just finished reading an incredible book that I think every accidental leader needs to read - The Choice by Dr. Edith Eva Eger. I was honestly truly captivated from the very first page by her powerful story and the profound insights she shares, and I hope that you'll tune in to hear what's so wonderful and inspiring about it!
Dr. Eger is a Holocaust survivor and psychologist, and her personal journey is both harrowing and inspiring. What struck me most was her perspective on the difference between being a victim and being a survivor. She writes, "We can't choose what happens to us, but we can choose how we respond." That hit me like a ton of bricks because I know how easy it is to fall into a victim mentality as a leader, especially an accidental one like myself.
When things go wrong, it's tempting to wallow in frustration and blame, but Dr. Eger challenges us to instead choose courage, curiosity, and humility in our responses, reminding us that suffering is universal, but victimhood is optional. The pain and failures we face as leaders can actually be our greatest teachers, if we're willing to learn from them and grow.
One of the other big takeaways for me was about the power of focus. Dr. Eger writes, "You can be overwhelmed and still choose to focus on what matters most." That really resonates with me because I know how easy it is to get bogged down in the day-to-day fires and lose sight of the bigger picture, but she is absolutely right in that if we can discipline ourselves to focus on what's truly important, those fires start to diminish.
I could go on and on about the wisdom packed into this book, but I'll leave you with one final quote that sums it up: "No one can take away your power unless you give it away." As accidental leaders, we have more power and agency than we often realize. The choice is ours - will we let our circumstances define us, or will we choose to be the authors of our own story?
I strongly recommend checking out The Choice by Dr. Edith Eva Eger. Her story and insights have the power to transform the way you approach leadership, and they have certainly given me a lot to reflect on!
Time Stamps:
[0:45] - I am sharing how the book The Choice by Dr. Edith Eva Eger deeply moved me, and I recommend it to accidental leaders.
[2:43] - “We can't choose what happens to us, but we can choose how we respond.”
[3:47] - Leadership is not about control; it’s about choosing how you show up in challenges.
[5:42] - “I am the decider; I decide what happens.”
[8:33] - Failure does not define you; choosing to grow from it does.
[11:45] - By rising from failure, I have created opportunities that have empowered others to grow and lead.
[13:04] - Struggles are inevitable in leadership, but choosing victimhood is not.
[16:02] - Great leaders admit what they don’t know and seek perspective before making decisions.
[18:35] - Your leadership growth hinges on daily choices, so choose wisely!
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