Dr. Shernette Grant, The Unorthodox Leader

This week gave me two reminders I did not know I needed.

Earlier this week, I opened LinkedIn and saw a message from someone I had not heard from in more than 20 years.

A former student.

At first, I did not recognize the name (and yes… shame on me for not recognizing Rod immediately 😊)

As educators, leaders, and honestly just people who spend so much of life pouring into others, we often never know what became of the people whose lives we had the privilege of impacting during a particular season.

Then I read his message.

He shared that during that season of his life, I was one of the educators who helped shape who he became.

I had chills.

Then just a few days later, after delivering a talk at Towson University, I received an email from someone with nearly 50 years in education sharing that what I taught had fundamentally shifted how she now thinks about generations, perspective, and understanding people.

And I just sat there reflecting.

Because moments like this remind me of something I know deeply, but sometimes need to be reminded of again.

We spend so much of life simply doing the work in front of us, showing up where we are called, serving others, and often never fully understanding how those moments may be impacting people in ways we may never know.

And this week, I found myself simply grateful to God.

Grateful that in every season of my life, He has somehow created the conditions for me to keep walking in purpose, even in moments when I could not see the bigger picture, understand what He was building through the journey… or frankly, when life was slapping me around like a rag doll.

Looking back, I realize that no matter what season I was in… educator, executive leader, entrepreneur, speaker, advisor, or helping leaders strengthen organizations and improve performance…

The assignment has always been the same.

Serve people well.

Help people think differently.

Help people better understand one another.

Also… Rod… thank you for allowing me to share the old high school picture 😉 Some memories are simply too good not to revisit.

This week reminded me that sometimes God allows us to look back just long enough to remind us that even when we could not see what He was doing…

He was still working.

To Him be the glory.

❤️

Today was one of those days that reminded me why I believe leaders have to intentionally put themselves in the right rooms.

I started the morning at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Environmental Innovation Summit, listening to incredible conversations around innovation, technology, sustainability, resilience, policy, and the future of business.

Later in the day, I spent time with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community builders at another incredible networking event focused on connection, community, and growth hosted by +Numbers.

What I continue to be reminded of is this…

Leadership is not just about what happens inside our own organizations.

Growth requires exposure.

Growth requires learning.

Growth requires relationships.

And sometimes one of the greatest things we can do for ourselves as leaders is simply be intentional about being in spaces where ideas are being exchanged and meaningful conversations are happening.

Grateful for a full day of learning, reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new people, and continuing to grow both personally and professionally.

Keep showing up. The rooms matter.

Why Leadership Development Alone Will Never Solve Organizational Performance Problems | Shernette Grant, Ph.D. | 23 comments 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺𝘀. But in many cases, the issue is not leadership capability a...